Arizona State University (ASU) COM225 Public Speaking Final Practice Exam

The first step in Monroe's Motivated Sequence is to capture the audience's Attention. This step is crucial because it sets the stage for the entire speech by engaging the audience right from the start. Capturing attention can be achieved through various methods, such as using a provocative question, telling a captivating story, or presenting startling facts or statistics. By effectively grabbing the audience's attention, the speaker creates interest and makes them more receptive to the information that will follow.

This initial engagement is vital as it encourages the audience to invest their time and focus on the message being delivered. If a speaker fails to capture attention at the outset, the ensuing steps—such as establishing the need for a solution or providing satisfaction—may not resonate as effectively, since the audience may not be fully engaged or motivated to listen to the rest of the presentation. Therefore, starting with a strong attention-getter lays the groundwork for a persuasive and impactful speech.