Blank 1: credibility
When a speaker or a writer uses incorrect facts or facts that are not backed up with evidence (quotes and citations), their credibility suffers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "credibility" refers to the trustworthiness or believability of a source or a person. When you are speaking or writing about something, your audience will be more likely to trust and believe what you are saying if your information is accurate and supported with evidence.
Think of credibility like a currency; when you provide accurate information with evidence, you are depositing into your credibility account. However, if you provide incorrect or unsubstantiated information, you are withdrawing from this account.
Now, let’s break it down to understand it better:
1. Importance of Facts: Facts are the cornerstone of any argument or information presented. They are the truths and realities that can be proven.
2. Evidence as Support: Evidence, such as quotes and citations, backs up these facts. It demonstrates that the information you are presenting has a foundation, and is not just your personal opinion or assumption.
3. Losing Credibility: If you use incorrect facts or fail to support your information with evidence, people may start to doubt the accuracy of what you are saying. This doubt causes your credibility to suffer. Essentially, people start to trust you less.
4. Consequences: When credibility is low, the audience is less likely to accept your arguments, information, or insights, regardless of their merit. This can be particularly detrimental in professional, academic, or journalistic contexts where trust and accuracy are paramount.
In summary, maintaining credibility is essential for effective communication. Providing accurate information and supporting it with evidence builds trust with your audience. Conversely, using incorrect or unsupported information can damage your credibility, making it harder for people to believe what you say in the future.