Final answer:
The appeal to the authority fallacy can involve negative/disliked authorities, potentially leading to an ad hominem fallacy by dismissing the argument based on the speaker's character rather than its merits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appeal to the authority fallacy is not limited to citing experts or sources that are viewed positively. It can also occur when an authority is negative or disliked, which might be seen as a different type of fallacy related to association. For example, if someone were to dismiss an argument simply because it was proposed by a generally disliked authority, they are committing an ad hominem fallacy rather than an appeal to authority. This type of fallacy targets the character of the individual rather than the validity of their argument. In both cases, the critical element is that the focus shifts away from the argument's merits to the characteristics of the authority mentioned.
When doing a rhetorical analysis, it's important to notice these and other fallacies that writers may use to unethically persuade their audiences. Understanding the different fallacies helps in distinguishing between factual claims and unsupported opinions, whether the reference to authority is positive or negative.