1. Ad populum/appeal to popularity/Bandwagon
Gabby Short

2. What is ad populum?
Ad Populum is a fallacy in which the argument attempts to persuade the viewer that a particular proposition is true or best by mentioning a multitude of people in agreement.
This McDonald’s sign subtly uses bandwagon. If “billions and billions” have been served, why shouldn’t you join in?

3. Universal example of ad populum
This commercial exemplifies the bandwagon technique because it implies that in order to be a part of the new-age generation, you must drink Pepsi®.

4. Universal example of ad populum
Drake, a supposed “lifelong fan” of the University of Kentucky, proudly sported UK clothing after they won the game needed to enter the national championship. After a loss, however, Drake suddenly supported UCONN instead. He followed the crowd supporting the winning team- Ad Populum.

5. Example from The crucible
Abigail:…I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! Betty: I saw George Jacobs with Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil! …I saw Martha Bellow with the Devil! Hale: It is broken, they are free! Abigail: I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil! Putnam: The marshal, I’ll call the marshal! Betty: I saw Alice Barrow with the Devil! (Act 1, Page 189)
In this passage, Betty commits the fallacy. Throughout the act, Abigail has accused people of witchcraft; Betty jumps on the bandwagon and begins accusing innocent people as well.

6. Example from the crucible
Mary: I—I used to faint because I thought I saw spirits. Hathorne: How could you think you saw them unless you saw them? Mary: I cannot tell you, but I did. I—I heard the other girls screaming and you, Your Honor, seemed to believe them and I– It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirit, spirits, and I promise you, Mr. Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not. (Act 3, Page 201)
This explains the ad populum the girls participated in. Once one or two of them cried witchcraft, the others felt like they had to join in.

7. Example from the crucible
Proctor: (handing Danforth a paper) Will you read this first, sir? It’s a sort of testament. The people signing it declare their good opinion of Rebecca, and my wife, and Martha Corey. (Act 3, Page 212)
Proctor attempts to persuade the Judge of the women’s innocence by using the testament of the townspeople as a whole. Most of the town openly believe them to be innocent, therefore the judge should too.

8. Citations
Cho, Alexander. "McDonald's Same-Store Sales Flat in April." TheStreet. N.p., 16 May Web. 17 Mar "Michael Jackson Pepsi Generation." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 17 Mar "Kentucky Lost, Drake Is Sad" Gamedayr. N.p., 08 Apr Web. 17 Mar