A standard technique for organising persuasive communication is Monroe's Sequence. It consists of five basic steps:

  1. Getting the audience's attention - The speaker shows how the topic is relevant to the audience.
  2. Creating a need - The speaker convinces the audience that there is a problem.
  3. Satisfying the need - The speaker proposes a solution.
  4. Visualising the future - The speaker paints a picture of what will happen if the solution is not implemented - or the benefits if the solution is implemented.
  5. Asking for action - The speaker requests specific measures.

Listen to three talks in which the speaker uses Monroe's Sequence or parts of it. Which steps does each presenter use? Which talk follows the full sequence?

 

 

Stage

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

1 Getting the audience's attention

 

 

 

2 Creating a need

 

 

 

3 Satisfying the need

 

 

 

4 Visualising the future

 

 

 

5 Asking for action