Monroe's Motivated Sequence Pattern

The sequence contains five distinct steps:

(1) Attention (2) Need (3) Satisfaction (4) Visualization (5) Action

The Visualization Step includes

The Positive Method The Negative Method The Contrast Method

Visualization

allows your audience to picture the result

The Contrast Method

by combining the positive and negative approaches. Use the negative method first, visualizing the bad effects if the audience fails to follow your advice; then the positive method, visualizing the good effects of believing or doing as you recommend.

The Positive Method

by describing conditions as they will be in the future if the solution you purpose is carried out. Provide vivid, concrete descriptions. Select some situation which you are quite sure will arise in the future, and picture your audience actually enjoying the conditions which acceptance of your plan will produce.

Need

describe the problem, demonstrate a need for change

Attention

get the attention of your audience

The Need Step recommends

give a clear concise statement or description of the need or problem. one or more detailed examples which illustrate the need. statistical data(don't overwhelm us with statistics, & make sure we can relate to them) Testimony and other form of support to show the extent of the need

The Motivated Sequence

is tailor made for policy speeches that seek immediate action. derives it's name from the fact that by following the normal processes of human thinking it motivates an audience to respond affirmatively to the speaker's purpose. The sequence contains five distinct steps: (1) Attention (get the attention of your audience), (2) Need (describe the problem, demonstrate a need for change), (3) Satisfaction (present a practical, and concise solution), (4) Visualization (allow your audience to picture the results), (5) Action (request immediate action from your audience).

Satisfaction

present a practical, and concise solution

Action

request immediate action from your audience

The action step can be:

a challenge or appeal a summary is always expected by your audience a quotation an illustration a statement of personal intentions

The Satisfaction Step reccomends

briefly state the action or change you wish your audience to adopt. a complete concise explanation of your plan. a theoretical demonstration -- show how this action logically meets the problem. give actual examples showing that this plan has worked effectively, and it's a practical solution use facts, figures and the testimony of experts to support your claims\plan.

The Negative Method

by describing the adverse conditions that will prevail in the future if the plan you have presented is not carried out. Picture for your audience the danger or the unpleasantness which will result from failure to follow your advice. Select from the Need Step the most undesirable aspects of the present situation, and show how these conditions will continue if your proposal is rejected.

The Attention Step

relating to the audience showing importance of the topic making a startling statement arousing curiosity or suspense using a quotation relevant to your topic humorous anecdote telling a dramatic story posing a question (maybe rhetorical) using visual aids for illustration