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Mirriam Webster says the definition of ad verecundiam is: an appeal to authority, so it is correct.

UFOs are not real because the great Carl Sagan said so. - Carl Sagan

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The Bible says all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).


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Analysis
The examples mentioned persuade the reader by showing that what was said by a person is right. Carl Sagan claims, UFOs are not real, just because Carl Sagan said so, this does not make the claim true. They fit the fallacy by giving authority to the figure speaking, thus making the words seem as if they really are true. The Bible claims many sins, although many people around the world have different beliefs and religions. Ad Verecundiam fallacies can be both true and false. This fallacy can be used as an effective method for persuasion just by the person that made the claim. As a child,the authoritative figure could be a parent; as an adult, the authoritative figure could be Albert Einstein (or Chuck Norris).

Works Cited
The New Jerusalem Bible. New York: Crossway Books and Bibles, 2005. Print. "Ad Verecundiam." Ad Verecundiam. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

"Ad Verecundiam." Ad Verecundiam. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.

Dont mess with Chuck Norris because hes Chuck Norris

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