When you are going to interact with the audience, you have to make sure that your speech is credible. Public speaking involves messages that should be given to the direct audience with regards to a certain issue or topic. You always have to make sure that when you claim, they should be credible. Oftentimes, you are given an opportunity to write a credibility statement. How are you going to create one? How are you going to make sure that your structure follows the right format? In this article, you will be able to learn how.
A credibility statement contains sentences that tells why the audience should believe the speakers and is usually introduced in the beginning of a speech. In other words, it shows if the speaker qualifies for the subject. It would sometimes refer to your experiences, the depth of your research about the topic and your passion to relay such information to the audience.
Example: In doing research for this topic, I came across an account written by one of these heroes that has deepened my understanding of the institution of slavery. Frederick Douglass’, My Bondage and My Freedom, is the account of a man whose master’s kindness made his slavery only more unbearable.
Example: I hope you’ll enjoy hearing about the heroism of the Underground Railroad as much as I have enjoyed preparing for this speech. (Credibility Statement, n.d.)
You have to give them information about your background. Always make sure that your background matches your subject to prevent confusion. Your audience will trust you if you have the best interest of the subject. You also have the freedom to put details about yourself to prove that you are a trustworthy speaker.
To win credibility with your listeners, you must follow these reminders.
Examples of Credibility Statement:
A statement is considered credible if you are going to state your legitimacy as a speaker and if you cite claims that are considered valid.
Credibility statements are usually found in speeches especially when you have to prepare for an excellent opening statement.
It is usually a one to two sentence statement.
It is always important to be credible at all times especially if you are to deliver a speech. Establish legitimacy and provide proof to your audience that you have a high level or interest in the topic that you are using.
