Read the excerpt from Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall" speech.

In Europe, only one nation and those it controls refuse to join the community of freedom. Yet in this age of redoubled economic growth, of information and innovation, the Soviet Union faces a choice: It must make fundamental changes, or it will become obsolete. Today thus represents a moment of hope. We in the West stand ready to cooperate with the East to promote true openness, to break down barriers that separate people, to create a safer, freer world.

Which rhetorical technique does this paragraph demonstrate?

ad hominem

false dilemma

hasty generalization

bandwagon appeal (wrong)

Question

English

Jerimiah Dougherty

15 October, 10:41

Read the excerpt from Ronald Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall" speech.

In Europe, only one nation and those it controls refuse to join the community of freedom. Yet in this age of redoubled economic growth, of information and innovation, the Soviet Union faces a choice: It must make fundamental changes, or it will become obsolete. Today thus represents a moment of hope. We in the West stand ready to cooperate with the East to promote true openness, to break down barriers that separate people, to create a safer, freer world.

Which rhetorical technique does this paragraph demonstrate?

ad hominem

false dilemma

hasty generalization

bandwagon appeal (wrong)

+4

Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Coleman · Answer 1

False dilemma

Explanation:

A false dilemma takes place when only two options are introduced even though there are more, or when there are many other options possible in the middle of two extremes. In a false dilemma, there are no more alternatives that going one way or the other, where in fact, a lot other alternatives are omitted. According to Ronald Reagan's words, Soviet Union has only two options, which include taking fundamental changes or becoming obsolete.

Paityn Hutchinson · Answer 2

Answer: The paragraph demonstrates the use of a false dilemma as a rhetorical technique. This aims to convince the audience to believe that there are only two ways out of the communist barriers built by Soviet Union against capitalism, ommiting that there are other options concerning dealing with them. The options are said to be open to East policies that defended capitalism or either become obsolete, which are easier for the audience to understand and also promotes the feeling that not accepting to open up to the East should be considered something outrageous.