Final answer:
A speaker can enhance their credibility within ethos by simply smiling, which conveys friendliness and trustworthiness, making them appear more relatable and authoritative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element of ethos that a speaker can most enhance simply by smiling is credibility. When a speaker smiles, it can convey friendliness, confidence, and approachability, which helps to establish a sense of trust and rapport with the audience. Smiling can make the speaker seem more personable and relatable, attributes that are essential in strengthening their ethical appeal. This aspect of ethos is part of what makes the speaker appear trustworthy and authoritative on the subject they are discussing. Using a smile, along with fair language and understanding the audience, can significantly bolster the speaker's standing as an ethical expert.
For instance, in history, the typical Archaic smile added to both male and female statues was meant to add a level of realism. Similarly, in modern times, a genuine smile can create a connection between the speaker and the audience. Moreover, when a speaker's nonverbal cues, such as smiling, align with their spoken content, it enhances the content's reception and reinforces the speaker's credibility. However, it's important to use smiles and other expressions purposefully to avoid distracting from the message.