Ad Hominem
Brandon Sneed and Tesia Bailey
AP English III
L. Hughes- 7th Period
Definition of Fallacy
ad ho·mi·nem
 [ad hom-uh-nuhm –nem]
 --adjective

Appealing to one's prejudices, emotions,
or special interests rather than to one's
intellect or reason.
 Attacking an opponent's character rather
than answering his argument.

Picture Analogy
Universal Example
Bill: "I believe that abortion is morally wrong."
Dave: "Of course you would say that, you're a
priest."
Bill: "What about the arguments I gave to
support my position?"
Dave: "Those don't count. Like I said, you're a
priest, so you have to say that abortion is
wrong. Further, you are just a lackey to the
Pope, so I can't believe what you say."
The Crucible Examples
1.
1. Ad Hominem.
2. Danforth
3. Act 3, line 19, page 221
Proctor: “I have made a bell of my honor! I
have rung the doom of my good name- you
will believe me, Mr. Danforth! My wife is
innocent, except she knew a whore when
she saw one!”
Abigail: “What look do you give me? I’ll not
have such looks!”
Danforth: “You will remain where you are! Mr.
Parris, go into the court and bring Goodwife
Proctor out.”
Even though John Proctor tells the court that his
wife cannot lie, they don’t believe him and still bring
his wife in to question her. The court doesn’t even
consider what he says, they automatically ask his wife.
2.
1. Ad Hominem
2. Cheever
3. Act 3, page 211
Danforth: Not come to church?
Proctor: I—I have no love for Mr. Parris. It is no
secret. But God I surely love.
Cheever: He plow on Sunday, sir
Danforth: Plow on Sunday!
Cheever: I think it be evidence John. I am an
official of the court, I cannot keep it.
Proctor: I—I have once or twice plowed on
Sunday. I have three children, sir, and until last
year my hand give little.
Since John Proctor plows on Sundays, Cheever
attacks his character. Instead of listening to what he
has to say throughout the trial, he holds a variety of
things against him. Such as his absence in church
since he has been plowing.
Citation
“The Ad Hominem”. Abagond. Abagond. Web. 14
April.2011.
Fallacy: Ad Hominem. The Nizkor Project, 2009.
Web. 14 April. 2011
"Ad Hominem." Dictionary. Dictionary.com, 2011.
Web. 15 Apr 2011.