What is the correct order of the credibility that an audience experiences toward a speaker during a speech?

• A. Derived credibility, terminal credibility, initial credibility
• B. Initial credibility, derived credibility, terminal credibility
• C. Terminal credibility, initial credibility, derived credibility
• D. Initial credibility, terminal credibility, derived credibility

Answer: (B)

The sequence of credibility that an audience experiences toward a speaker can be understood as flowing through three distinct phases: initial credibility, derived credibility, and terminal credibility.

Initial credibility refers to the perception the audience has of the speaker before the speech begins. This includes factors such as the speaker's background, expertise, and presentation style known to the audience beforehand. It sets the stage for how the audience will engage with the content.

Derived credibility builds throughout the speech as the speaker presents their arguments and evidence, interacts with the audience, and demonstrates expertise and charisma. This credibility is experienced in real-time as the audience evaluates the speaker's competence and trustworthiness during the presentation.

Finally, terminal credibility is the lasting impression of the speaker after the speech concludes. It is shaped by both the initial credibility and the derived credibility, reflecting how the audience perceives the speaker long after the speech has ended.

Recognizing the order of initial, derived, and terminal credibility helps speakers understand how to build trust and rapport with their audience effectively.