CHAPTER 9: SUPPORT: CREDIBILITY
Evidence is probably the most difficult form of support for students to understand. Credibility is probably
the easiest. The idea that we adhere to someone’s views because we find that person trustworthy and
competent seems obvious. Indeed, theorists going back to Aristotle have claimed that credibility is the
most important form of support. Such a view is easy to understand. In many of our most common
argumentative situations credibility is a central factor.
In interpersonal situations we accept persons’ views simply because we have come to respect them. Some
of the most obvious political situations turn on credibility. Election campaigns where we choose among
politicians for an office are obvious examples in which credibility is frequently the central form of
support.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Aristotle’s term for credibility is
2. The first two dimensions of credibility discussed by all writers are
3. When an arguer uses another person’s credibility as the grounds for an argument, it is called
4. When your credibility is enhanced simply by the high quality of your argumentation, it is called
5. Probably the most forceful kind of credibility is
6. The strongest indirect credibility is the
7. Using evidence to support arguments is particularly helpful in building the credibility of arguers who
8. Source credibility probably has its strongest effect
9. In addition to competence, trustworthiness, goodwill and dynamism, people may grant high credibility
to those who
10. Hearsay testimony may provide credible support in
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Identify and describe the primary dimensions of credibility.
PROJECTS
1. Spend an evening watching television with a tablet in hand. Write down all the ways you can find that
2. Discuss the results of your evening watching TV with other members of your team. Prepare a report
3. Attend a lecture or other presentation. Take notes on the ways the speaker’s credibility emerges (or
fails to do so) during the course of the event. Prepare a critique praising the development of strong
