Read the excerpt.
Which choice best explains the effect of the author's use
Everybody needs a boost of energy at times, and
of faulty reasoning?
caffeine is an easy way to wake up. Most people in the
United States immediately grab for coffee to get a jolt of
• The false dilemma diminishes the author's credibility
caffeine. While caffeine in coffee can be a tasty way to
by failing to present options other than coffee and
energize, caffeine also has drawbacks to healthy living,
peppermint oil.
such as digestive issues, high blood pressure, and rapid
• The audience is likely to dismiss the claims because
heart rate. A more health-conscious alternative is
the author criticizes the use of coffee, which most
peppermint oil. Peppermint oil provides an energizing
people enjoy.
effect that can increase brain oxygen levels and
• The argument distracts from the strong evidence for
increase performance. Trying to increase focus by
peppermint oil because it compares it to coffee, which
drinking coffee instead of using peppermint oil
IS too dissimilar.
guarantees future health complications.
The non sequitur invites criticism because it connects
coffee's and peppermint oil's effects without showing
an actual correlation.