Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The speaker's credibility refers to the audience's perception of the speaker's expertise, trustworthiness, and reliability in delivering information or making arguments.
Ethos is one aspect of a speaker's credibility that focuses on establishing trust and authority through character, reputation, and ethics.
Expertise: Expertise refers to the knowledge and qualifications possessed by a speaker in a specific field or subject matter that enhances their credibility.
Trustworthiness: Trustworthiness relates to how reliable and honest a speaker appears to be in conveying information or making arguments.