False+Dilemma

First Name: Jordan Weissberg Period: 3 School: Wootton

Definition #1: A limited number of options (usually two) is given, while in reality there are more options. A false dilemma is an illegitimate use of the "or" operator.

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Definition #2: An error of presumption in which one ignores all other reasonable alternatives.

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Definition in your own "student friendly" words: The speaker or author makes the audience gives the audience very few options (usually 2) to classify a subject and persuades them that there are no other options. The options are opposites or "black and white." Link to example #1 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc):



2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: This is an extreme example of false dilemma. It gives two distinct choices for the bystander. They are told they can either get a corn dog, or die, even though these are not truly their only options.

Link to example #2 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dln3DJEcghY

2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: ﻿This is an example of false dilemma that many children use. In this scene, the father will either have to give into his daughter or admit that he is a bad father. Since the father should have authority over his daughter, he does have other options that are a possibility for him, however, the daughter is so convincing that he only sees these two options available.

First Name: Megan Denchfield Period: 4 School: Wootton High School

Definition #1:

A False Dilemma is a fallacy in which a person uses the following pattern of "reasoning":


 * Either claim X is true or claim Y is true (when X and Y could both be false).
 * Claim Y is false.
 * Therefore claim X is true.

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Definition #2:

A fallacy of oversimplification that offers a limited number of options (usually two) when in reality more options are available.

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Definition in your own "student friendly" words: A false dilemma is when the speaker or writer offers the audience only two options when there may be more than two. It is an either-or or black and white statement that does not include the many other options or "shades of grey."

Link to example #1 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc):



2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: This is a good example of a false dilemma because the picture is saying to the audience that if you don't love America you must leave it. There are more options than to either love it or leave it. Some people may be here not because they love America, but to work, and they don't need to leave. Just because you do not love America does not mean that you must leave it. There are many shades of grey missing in this image.

Link to example #2 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-23kmhc3P8U&feature=related 2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: This is a good example because President Bush is saying that if you are not for the war in the Middle East than you are against freedom and America. This is not the case at all because some people may not agree with the war for various reasons but it does not mean that they do not like freedom and are for the enemy. The President gives two extreme options, "you're with us or you're against us" but some people may not be with him but not with the enemy either. Once again, shades of grey are missing.

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Definition #1: Source:

Definition #2: Source:

Definition in your own "student friendly" words:

Link to example #1 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): 2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example:

Link to example #2 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): 2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: