MONROE’S MOTIVATED SEQUENCE PATTERN

~ Dr. Seuss

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

1. The Attention Step

Gain favorable attention by: A. Relating to your audience B. Showing the importance of your topic C. Making a startling statement D. Arousing curiosity or suspense E. Humorous Anecdote F. Telling a dramatic story G. Posing a question, then answering it

yourself

2. The Need Step

You must now make your audience feel the NEED FOR CHANGE. Show them that there is a serious PROBLEM with the current situation.

A. give a clear concise statement or description of the need or problem

B. one or more detailed examples which illustrate the need

2. The Need Step

C. Statistical data (without being overwhelming)

D. Testimony and other form of support to show the extent of the need

It is IMPORTANT in this step to make a convincing demonstration that this NEED directly affects their health, happiness, security, or other interests.

3. The Satisfaction Step

You’ve established the need. Now you need to satisfy your audience with a solution—a plan—to solve the problem.

A. Briefly state the action or change you wish the audience to adopt along with a brief description of the plan.

B. Provide a theoretical demonstration—SHOW how this plan LOGICALLY meets the problem.

3. The Satisfaction Step

C. 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.

Diagrams and charts are usually helpful here. Now your audience will be wondering how

this will work for them and what it can do for them.

4. The Visualization Step

Project your audience into the future and help them to picture the benefits of your plan. Use vivid imagery to show your listeners how THEY will profit from your policy.

There are 3 ways to do this—But remember, whichever you choose, IT MUST BE REALISTIC:

4. The Visualization Step

A. The Positive Method—Paint a picture of the positive results of your plan. Select some situation which your are sure will arise in the future.

B. The Negative Method—Picture the danger or unpleasantness which will result from a failure of following your plan.

C. The Contrast Method—Combine the above 2 methods, using the negative first.

5. The Action Step

This is your call for action! Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do NOW, and exactly how to do it.

For example: Tell them where to go today to donate blood. Give them the address of the state representative that they can write to . Give them all the information they need to sign up for a CPR class.

5. The Action Step

This step should include:

a. A challenge or an appealb. A summaryc. A final stirring appeal for them to

ACT NOW!