Motivated Sequence Pattern

The motivated sequence pattern, created more than seventy years ago by the noted public speaking scholar Alan Monroe, is a five-step plan for organizing a speech that can be useful in a variety of contexts. Based on the psychological elements of advertising, the motivated sequence pattern includes five phases: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action. Monroe argued that these five steps motivate listeners and may be modified to suit the desired outcome of your speech. Presentations that lend themselves to the motivated sequence include persuasive presentations, inspirational speeches, graduation addresses, speeches advocating social change, and motivational talks. For a more detailed discussion and examples of Monroe’s motivated sequence, please see pp. 487–488 in Chapter 16.