Ad Populum/ Appeal to Popularity/ Bandwagon

1. Ad Populum/ Appeal to Popularity/ Bandwagon Krystal Sims & Makayla Glass

2. Definition: • An argument aimed to sway popular support by appealing to sentimental weakness rather than facts and reasons. • “If many believe so, it is so.”

3. " Most people believe in a god; therefore, it must prove true. "

4. Bandwagon Video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMaUiufjcU&feature=player_detailpage This is an example of bandwagon because if a lot of people don’t like a team, the team isn’t good, but if a lot of people do like the team, the team is the best.

5. Universal Example • " Claiming a movie to be the "Best movie of 2008" just because many people liked it. “ • Since so many people liked a certain movie, that makes it the “best movie.” • "Since 88% of the people polled believed in UFOs, they must exist.“ • UFOs exist because a larger percentage of people believe in them.

6. Crucible Example Proctor and Mary have gone to the court to protest against Abigail, and once Proctor has told on himself about him committing lechery, Abigail begins acting as if Mary’s spirit is trying to attack her. When Mary tries to speak to Abigail, Abigail and the other girls mock her trying to make it seem like Mary is controlling them. No one believes Mary that she is doing nothing and that Abigail is pretending, so they assume that Mary is a witch. Character: Abigail and the Girls, and Mary Warren Act Three, Page 224 Abigail: “Mary, please don’t hurt me!” Mary Warren: “I’m not hurting her!” Danforth: “Why does she see this vision?” Mary Warren: “She see’s nuthin’!” Abigail and the girls: “She see’s nuthin’!” Mary Warren: “Abby, you mustn’t!” Abigail and the Girls: “Abby, you mustn’t!” This is illogical because everyone in the court is believing all the lies and denying the truth. Also, the girls know that they are not hypnotized by Mary, but they act like they are to continue the belief of witches and so they will not get in trouble.

7. Crucible Example Proctor and Mary have gone to the court to protest against Abigail, and for Proctor to prove his point he says, “I’ve known her.” Right then and there Proctor told on himself for committing lechery with Abigail. However, the court refuses to believe it is so. Danforth calls Elizabeth into the court room to confirm this statement. Elizabeth does not know that Proctor had told on himself and she lies for him to protect his name; therefore, Proctor is looked upon as a liar. Characters: Danforth and Elizabeth Act Three, page 223 Elizabeth: “I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the highroad.” Danforth: “Your husband- did he indeed turn from you? Elizabeth: “My husband – is a goodly man, sir.” Danforth: “Then did he not turn from you?” Elizabeth: “He-” Danforth: “Look at me! To your own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of lechery? Answer my question! Is your husband a lecher!” Elizabeth: “No, sir.”

8. Citations: • “What is an example of Ad Populum?” Answers.com. nd. Web.10 Feb. 2012. • Walker, Jim. List of Common Fallicies. Nobeliefs.com, 27 July 1997. Web.10 Feb 2012. • Williams, Cheryl. Amazing Grace.ck-mag.com, 17 June 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.