Welcome to the World of Rhetoric: Mastering 设问 (Shèwèn)
Hello! Welcome to your study guide for one of the most useful "tools" in your Chinese writing toolkit: 设问 (Shèwèn). This falls under the 修辞 (Xiūcí - Rhetoric) section of your Oxford AQA syllabus.
Have you ever watched a TV presenter say, "What is the secret to a long life? Well, it's simple: eating well and staying active"? That is exactly what 设问 is! It’s a way to make your writing more engaging and your arguments much clearer. Don't worry if it sounds a bit technical—it’s actually something we use in conversation all the time!
What is 设问 (Shèwèn)?
Simply put, 设问 is the act of asking a question and then immediately answering it yourself.
In Chinese, we often describe it as "自问自答" (zì wèn zì dá), which literally means "asking yourself and answering yourself."
How to spot it:
1. You see a question mark (?).
2. You see an answer provided by the same writer right after the question.
Example:
幸福是什么？幸福就是和家人在一起。
(What is happiness? Happiness is being together with family.)
Quick Review: If the writer asks a question and then tells you the answer, it is 设问. If they ask a question but leave it for you to figure out the obvious answer, that is a different technique called 反问 (Fǎnwèn). We will look at that later!
Why do writers use 设问?
Writing can sometimes feel a bit flat if it's just a long list of facts. Using 设问 helps in three main ways:
1. To Grab Attention (引起注意): It stops the reader in their tracks. By asking a question, you make the reader's brain start looking for an answer, which makes them pay more attention to your point.
2. To Lead the Reader (启发思考): It guides the reader through your logic step-by-step. It’s like being a tour guide for your own essay.
3. To Change the Topic (承上启下): It’s a great way to move from one paragraph to the next. You ask a question about the next topic to "bridge" the gap.
Analogy: Think of 设问 like a bright yellow highlighter. It tells the reader, "Hey! Pay attention to this specific answer because it's important!"
Step-by-Step: How to write a 设问 sentence
If you want to use this in your Paper 1 or Paper 2 writing, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Identify the main point you want to make (e.g., "Technology makes life easier").
Step 2: Turn that point into a question (e.g., "Does technology make our lives easier?").
Step 3: Answer it immediately with your original point (e.g., "Yes, it certainly does, because it saves us time").
Real-world Example (Theme: Education):
我们为什么要努力学习？是为了将来能有更多的选择。
(Why do we need to study hard? It is so that we can have more choices in the future.)
Key Takeaway: A good 设问 always has a clear 问 (Question) and a clear 答 (Answer).
Common Mistake: 设问 vs. 反问
This is where many students get tripped up! Both use question marks, but they work differently. Don't worry, here is an easy trick to tell them apart:
设问 (Hypophora): Ask + Answered by the writer.
Example: "Who is the most hardworking person? It is my teacher." (The answer is right there!)
反问 (Rhetorical Question): Ask + Answer is already obvious (No answer needed).
Example: "Isn't our teacher the most hardworking person?" (The answer "Yes" is implied; the writer doesn't need to say it.)
Memory Aid:
设问 = "Set" the question and "Set" the answer.
反问 = "Flip" the statement into a question (the answer is hidden inside).
Quick Review Box
Term: 设问 (Shèwèn)
Simple Definition: Asking yourself a question and then answering it.
Structure: 问句 (Question) + 答句 (Answer).
Main Purpose: To emphasize a point and grab the reader's interest.
Top Tip: Always look for the answer immediately following the question mark to identify it in a text!
Did you know?
设问 is very common in speeches! Famous leaders often use it to make their arguments sound more convincing and easier for the audience to follow. If you are writing a persuasive piece for your exam, using 设问 can actually make you sound more confident!
Keep practicing! Once you start noticing 设问 in the texts you read, you’ll find it much easier to use in your own writing. You've got this!