1. Poisoning the Well Fallacy By : Katie Emmitt, Corey Faller, Chelsee Wooten

2. What is poisoning the well? A sort of "reasoning" that try's to discredit what a person might later claim by presenting unwanted information whether it be legit information or made up about the person. Simply: A type of fallacy in which a person attempts to place an opponent in a position from which he/she is unable to reply.

3. Universal examples I wish it were possible for men to get really emotionally involved in this question [abortion]. It is really impossible for the man, for whom it is impossible to be in this situation, to really see it from the woman's point of view. That is why I am concerned that there are not more women in this House available to speak about this from the woman's point of view. Source: House of Commons Debates of Canada, Volume 2, November 30, 1979, p. 1920

4. Universal Example Continued.. Tom says, "Don't listen to Jim, he's a scoundrel.“ Tom has created a false preconception that everything Jim say’s is incorrect or that he is untrustworthy. Source: "Fallacy: Poisoning the Well." Fallacy: Poisoning the Well. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.

5. Examples from the Crucible Act:2 Pg.198 H ale: Good, then. In the book of record that Mr. Parris Keeps, I note that you are rarely in the church on Sabbath day. Proctor: No, Sir, you are mistaken Hale: Twenty-six time in seventeen month, sir. I must call that rare. Will you tell me why you are so absent? Act:2 Pg.199 Hale: How comes it that only two (sons) are baptized. Proctor: I like it not that Mr. Parris Should lay his hand upon my baby. I see no light of God in that man. I will not conceal it.

6. Examples continued.... Act:3 Pg. 208 Danforth: Who is this man? Parris: Giles Corey, sir and a more contentious- Act: 3 Pg.211 Cheever: He plow on Sunday, sir. Danforth: plow on Sunday! Cheever: I think it be evidence, John. I am an official of the court, I cannot keep it. Proctor: I-I have once or twice plowed on Sunday. I have three children, sir, and until last year my land gave very little. Giles: You will find other Christians that do plow on Sunday if the truth do be known.

7. sources http://bookmarkblogs.com/_data/userpics/bi g_thumb/poisoning-the-well.jpg http://bookmarkblogs.com/_data/userpics/bi g_thumb/poisoning-the-well.jpg http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/pois oning-the-well.html http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/pois oning-the-well.html http://www.fallacyfiles.org/poiswell.html