Question

which rhetorical device is being used in the highlighted excerpt from \letter to john adams\ by abigail adams? alliteration - repetition of initial consonant sounds allusion - reference to a well - known person/event rhetorical question - a question asked for effect

Explanation:

The text "Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity?" is a question asked for effect, which is the definition of a rhetorical question. There are no examples of alliteration (repetition of initial consonant sounds) or allusion (reference to a well - known person/event) in the highlighted text.

Answer:

rhetorical question - a question asked for effect