Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

How to Write an Effective Persuasive Essay

By following the normal processes of human thinking, this organization structure motivates an audience to respond affirmatively (agreeably) to the speaker’s purpose.

The Motivated Sequence

Relate to the audience Show importance of the topic Make a startling statement Arouse curiosity or suspense Humorous anecdote

(story/tale)

Tell a dramatic story Pose a rhetorical question

(without using “you”) Using visual aids for

illustration

1. The Attention Step

Get the attention of your audience.

1. Clear concise statement or description of the need or problem (topic sentence).

2. Second-strongest statement and explanation3. Third-strongest statement and explanation4. Strongest statement and explanation5. Convince your audience that this issue directly affects

their health, happiness, security, or other interests.

2. The Need Step

Describe the problem and make your audience feel a need for change

You can use the following techniques (choose one):

Briefly state the action/change you wish your audience to adopt

A complete concise explanation of your plan Actual examples showing that this plan has worked

effectively, and it’s a practical solution

3. The Satisfaction Step

Present your plan/solution and show your audience how it will work

Positive method: describe conditions as they will be in the future if your solution/call to action is carried out.

Negative method: describe the adverse (unfavorable) conditions that will prevail if your plan is not carried out.

4. The Visualization Step

Intensify the audience’s desire for your plan by helping them visualize it. Use vivid imagery to help readers visualize how they will profit from your plan/policy.

A challenge or appeal A quotation An illustration

Don’t make your this paragraph too involved. You want it to be easy for your audience to do RIGHT NOW!

5. The Action Step

Make a call for action. Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do NOW and exactly how to do it. You want them to take IMMEDIATE action.