Question

read the excerpt from ronald reagans \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

Explanation:

A false dilemma frames a situation as having only two mutually exclusive options, ignoring other potential outcomes. Reagan's statement presents the Soviet Union with only two choices: make fundamental changes or become obsolete, which fits this rhetorical technique. Ad hominem attacks a person's character, hasty generalization draws a conclusion from insufficient evidence, and bandwagon appeal encourages joining a popular trend—none of these match the excerpt.

Answer:

false dilemma