Use the Internet to search for an example of an enthymeme in the media (e.g., Internet, television, radio, newspapers, etc.).

You may find an op-ed, political piece, advertising, et cetera. Identify the implied premise in the enthymeme.

Why did you choose this example?

Answer:

Advertising is the just and must way of effective communication with the consumers. The driving force for a consumer to buy a particular object is either his need for the same, or his want for it. Here comes the role of advertising. The role of advertising is to use the feeling of discontent to the optimum. By saying this, it is meant that, we might well know that we are not in need of a particular object, but when we see an appealing advertisement of the same, there is an enduring subconscious urge of having it. And till the time we actually have it we are in a state of restlessness. This is the power of effective advertising.

We have all seen products reading 'sugar-free!,' we all know the harmful effects of sugar. So something which is devoid of sugar is always a welcome choice. Advertisers make use of this. They push the products towards the consumer using the phrase, 'sugar-free'. They never mention the substitutes of sugar that have been used. These are mentioned on the list of ingredients, but are never pronounced. What if the substituting element is all the more detrimental than sugar? But we are all lured by the ads which say, 'sugar-free!' The other example can be of 'gluten-free' diet. All products from biscuits to cake mix promote their expensive products as 'gluten-free'. But is that free?

In the above example of Glutino, the advertiser is motivating the consumer to switch to a new product that is delicious and will take one to newer possibilities. We all know that food is necessary for survival, but the relation of food and possibilities is far from truth. Food is a physical attribute, possibilities are abstract. Eating and getting opportunities are way different from each other. But this is enthymeme which is being used to promote products. Hence, effectively used in advertising too. We can locate such kinds of enthymeme examples in all forms of media, including print, television, audio, and the more pervasive, internet media too.

Examples of enthymeme in Arguments

All measures must be taken to eliminate the process of reservation from our system. It creates divide amongst the people. This is a straight example of enthymeme in an argument. It clearly states first that it is necessary to abolish the system of reservation. It also gives the reason, why it is to be removed. Hence gives an argument, and not stating the full statement that there still exists the system of reservation. It is kept unstated as it is well understood that the process is still active. Hence the reader has to make his own assumption that the system of reservation is still on.