What does terminal credibility refer to in public speaking?

Terminal credibility refers to the audience's perception of the speaker's credibility after they have finished speaking. This concept highlights that the impression a speaker leaves with their audience can significantly influence how their message is received and understood. Terminal credibility is affected by the speaker’s delivery, clarity, engagement with the audience, and the effectiveness of the speech overall. A speaker who effectively communicates their message and resonates with the audience can enhance their credibility by the end of the presentation.

This differs from initial credibility, which is the audience's perception before the speech begins, and does not directly assess what the audience thinks of the speaker once the presentation is completed.