Proof Surrogate
By:
Maria Rivas
What is proof surrogate?
• A proof surrogate suggests there is evidence
or authority for a claim without actually citing
such evidence or authority.
• This type of angle works by alleging that proof
for a claim exists without actually offering the
proof.
Moore/Parker
Mc Graw Hill
Common Phrases
We will see uses of phrases such as:
• “Informed sources say”
• “Its obvious that”
• “It’s clear to anyone who has thought the
matter through carefully”
• “As we all know”
A Less Subtle proof surrogates use the phrase:
“Studies Show”
“Authorities Say”
“Experts Believe”
This phrase tells nothing about how many
studies are involved, how good they are, who
did them, or any other important information.
Bottom Line
Proof surrogates are not proof or evidence.
Proof or evidence may exist, but until it has
been presented, the claim/issue remains
unsupported.
There may be “reason to believe” some claim,
but we should think twice about accepting the
claim.