Attention material for a persuasive speech

Persuasive Speech

Organization plays a central role in a persuasive speech: The speech must logically establish why the audience must change. (Unless audience members believe there is something wrong with what they are doing or feeling, they are unlikely to change.) Although other persuasive designs are also effective in preempting psychological resistance to change, the most widely used organizational pattern for public speaking is Monroe’s motivated sequence.

1. Gain the audience’s attention. Attention getters grab the audience, arousing

Curiosity about what the speaker is going to say. To help avoid the effects of psychological resistance, the preview statement should be omitted.

2. Identify unfulfilled needs. The speaker must establish a clear, urgent, and unfulfilled

Need in the mind of the audience. This is a critical step in the sequence. No solutions should be proposed during this stage.

3. Propose a solution that satisfies. Present the solution to the needs or problems described in Step 2. During this stage, speakers must also identify and eliminate possible objections to the solution.

4. Visualize the resulting satisfaction. Intensify audience members’ desire for the solution by getting them to visualize what their lives will be like once they’ve adopted it. Use vivid images and verbal illustrations to support the benefits of the proposed solution.

5. Define specific actions. In the final step, the speaker must turn the audience’s agreement and commitment into positive action. Tell audience members what they need to do to obtain the described solution and its benefits.

6. Making the most of Monroe’s motivated sequence: To make the most of Monroe’s motivated sequence, the steps should be followed in sequence. The sequence closely resembles a problem-solution organizational format, but it digresses from linear logic in several ways. In the attention-getter step, the structure deviates from linearity by noting potential objections and dispelling audience concerns or problems with a solution. The most critical principle in Monroe’s sequence is the identification of the audience’s needs before proposing a solution.

Worksheet for Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (Use this format.) Do not type an essay!!! Type the speech outline ONLY.

Persuasive Speech

Title:

Speaker:

Specific Purpose:

Introduction (attention)

1. Attention getter:

2. Establishment of ethos:

(Transition)

1. Need

2. Main idea 1 with supporting material

1. (such as a statistic or quotation)

1. Subpoint (optional)

2. Subpoint (optional)

1. (Internal summary)

(Transition)

III. Satisfaction

1. Main idea 2 with supporting material

2. Subpoint (optional)

3. Subpoint (optional)

1. (Internal summary)

(Transition)

1. Visualization

2. Main idea 3 with supporting material

3. Subpoint (optional)

4. Subpoint (optional)

1. (Internal summary)

(Transition to conclusion)

1. Action

2. Summarize and review taking action (overall theme including each step of

Monroe’s motivated sequence)

1. Tie to the introduction

2. Provide memorable, creative conclusion (end with impact)

References (5 or more)