Which of the following techniques can enhance speaker credibility?

Get ready for the DSST Principles of Public Speaking Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions that include hints and explanations. Ace your exam today!

Sharing personal experiences is a technique that can significantly enhance a speaker's credibility. When speakers incorporate their own experiences, they provide authenticity and relatability, which help to build a connection with the audience. Personal stories allow the audience to see the speaker as a real person who has faced challenges, learned lessons, and gained insights. This fosters trust and establishes the speaker as knowledgeable and credible since they are drawing from their own life experiences rather than abstract concepts alone.

In contrast, relying too heavily on technical jargon can alienate an audience that may not be familiar with the terminology, undermining credibility. Avoiding eye contact can create a sense of disengagement or lack of confidence, which detracts from how the audience perceives the speaker's credibility. Additionally, speaking at a rapid pace can hinder clarity and understanding, making it difficult for the audience to absorb the information and diminishing the speaker's credibility. Engaging the audience through personal stories is a powerful method to bolster a speaker’s authority and trustworthiness.

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