False Dilemma/ Either-Or/False Dichotomy A strictly limited choice or division between only two options.

Universal Example This is an example of either or because exit is showing two choices, and an exit now sign which can be taken universally depending on many things, such as the everyday decisions that you choose to make.

Universal Example This is an example of either or because it also shows two choices. The two “One Way” signs signify making one choice, and going one way.

The Crucible. Act 3 Page 221 Danforth to Elizabeth Proctor; Danforth: For what cause did you dismiss her? … Why did you dismiss Abigail Williams? Elizabeth: She– dissatisfied me. And my husband. This is an example of either or because Elizabeth either dismissed Abigail because she did dissatisfy her, or because she was having an affair with John Proctor.

The Crucible. Act 3 Page 216 Danforth to Mary Warren; “I will tell you this– you are either lying now, or you were lying in the court, and in either case you have committed perjury and you will go to jail for it. You cannot lightly say you lied, Mary. Do you know that?” This argument is discussing Mary Warren’s conversation with Danforth in which he confronts her saying that she was either lying before, or she is lying now, or both.

Citations Wikispaces. False Dilemma. Xiamenwriting, 5 June. 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.