Information gathered through research that reinforces points in a speech is referred to as which of the following?

The term that refers to information gathered through research that reinforces points in a speech is known as supporting materials. Supporting materials can include facts, statistics, examples, anecdotes, and expert testimony that help to substantiate the speaker's arguments and enhance the overall credibility and persuasive power of the presentation. By utilizing supporting materials, speakers can provide evidence for their claims, making their arguments more convincing and relatable to the audience. This foundational aspect of public speaking helps ensure that the audience can follow the speaker's logic and appreciate the significance of the information being presented.

Other concepts, such as hypothetical examples, speaker credibility, and personal proof, serve different purposes in a speech. Hypothetical examples illustrate a point by creating an imagined scenario but do not entail the same level of factual reinforcement. Speaker credibility refers to the trustworthiness and authority of the speaker themselves, which is important but distinct from the supporting information used in a speech. Personal proof involves a speaker's personal experiences or anecdotes, which can be valuable but may not provide the same level of objective support as research-based materials. Therefore, supporting materials play a critical role in grounding a speech's content in research and evidence, ultimately enhancing its effectiveness.