Please close the window. Third, directions are directive language. Recipes, a game s rulebook, and directions telling someone how to operate a computer program are all examples of directive language. Last, questions are directives. Remember, a directive is a direct or indirect attempt to tell someone to do something.
Questions are attempts to get someone to provide answers.
It is language that is indirectly attempting to get someone to provide an explanation. There is an important exception, though. Questions are not directives when they are rhetorical questions. For rhetorical questions are not offered to solicit an answer. They are rhetorical devices used to persuade people.