A loaded question is one that contains a presupposition or assumption embedded within it, so that any direct answer implicitly accepts that assumption — even if the assumption is unwarranted or unproven.
Example of Loaded Question
- "Have you stopped cheating on your exams?"
Whether the respondent answers 'yes' or 'no,' they implicitly accept the presupposition that they have cheated on exams in the past. A proper response would be to challenge the assumption itself. - "Do you think the President should be impeached for colluding with foreign powers?"
Whether the respondent says 'yes' or 'no,' the question establishes the 'fact' that the President colluded with foreign powers. The only question that remains is whether he should be impeached. - "Marijuana has mind-numbing elements that affect your memory, so how can you say you have never had marijuana if you can't remember? Now exactly how much pot did you smoke?"
The question presupposes that the person has smoked marijuana. The inability to remember could be caused by a variety of other things.
