Final answer:
Citing credible sources in an informative speech is vital for strengthening arguments, fostering research, avoiding plagiarism, and demonstrating credibility and fairness. Proper citation allows others to follow up on the research and helps the speaker establish trust with the audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is important to cite credible sources in an informative speech for several reasons. First, citations strengthen your arguments by providing evidence that your information is derived from trustworthy sources. This proof helps establish your credibility and supports your ideas. By referring to credible sources, you also enable audience members or readers to pursue additional research on the topic, thereby fostering an environment of academic discourse and collaboration.
Another substantive reason to cite properly is to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work without giving appropriate credit, which can have serious academic and legal consequences. Proper citation distinguishes your original ideas from those of others and demonstrates academic integrity. Additionally, using unbiased and trustworthy sources ensures neutrality and fairness in your presentation, further establishing your reliability as a speaker or writer.
Finally, using varied reliable sources, such as academic journals, professional books, government publications, and visual sources like TED Talks, can enrich your speech and provide a well-rounded perspective on the topic. This underpins the importance of doing thorough research and evaluating the credibility of each source before incorporation into your work, as well as adhering to proper citation formats like MLA or APA as required.