Public speaking

Description for Persuasive Speech

Organizing the Persuasive Speech — Action

Time: 4–6 minutes

Cite a Minimum of 4 Sources

Must have 3 audience members

Visual aid required

Outline Required

IF YOU READ YOUR SPEECH—YOU FAIL THE 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.

Monroe’s motivated sequence (problem-solution format):

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 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

Persuasive Speech

Title:

Speaker:

Specific Purpose:

Introduction (attention)

1. Attention getter: 2. Establishment of ethos:

(Transition)

Need

1. Main idea 1 with supporting material

(such as a statistic or quotation)

1. Subpoint (optional) 2. Subpoint (optional) 3. Main idea 2 with supporting material 4. Subpoint (optional) 5. Subpoint (optional)

(Internal summary)

(Transition)

III. Satisfaction

1. Main idea 3 with supporting material 2. Subpoint (optional) 3. Subpoint (optional) 4. Main idea 4 with supporting material 5. Subpoint (optional) 6. Subpoint (optional)

(Internal summary)

(Transition)

1. Visualization 2. Main idea 5 with supporting material 3. Subpoint (optional) 4. Subpoint (optional) 5. Main idea 6 with supporting material 6. Subpoint (optional) 7. Subpoint (optional)

(Internal summary)

(Transition to conclusion)

Action

1. 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

You have been assigned a speech, so now what?

1. First, you need to decide on a topic. That’s right you, topic selection is part of the speech

process, and you get to choose your topic. Here are some things to keep in mind when

selecting a topic. Make sure that it fits the guidelines of the assignment. Keep in mind

that the topic should be appropriate for the timing guidelines. Lastly, remember to make

a persuasive appeal in your speech. (Read Chapters 23 and 24)

2. Get in contact with potential audience members and set a recording date.

3. Next, you need to conduct research on your chosen topic and gather your sources for

ORAL CITATION.

4. Use Monroe’s Motivated Sequence and write the outline for your speech. (See Chapter

13).

5. Create note cards for your speech. Make bulleted points and NEVER write out everything

that you are going to say. Remember reading your speech means failing your speech. Talk

conversationally while looking at notes.

6. Check back in with potential audience members and confirm.

7. Decide on a visual aid-Remember the visual aid is there to aid the audience, not the

speaker. (Part 6 of the text discusses presentation aids)

8. Practice and timing and the delivery of your speech multiple times.

9. Record your video, according to the provided instructions.