The University of Texas at El Paso

Mastering the Art of Persuasion: Strategies to Successfully Influence

Course Name

Mastering the Art of Persuasion: Strategies to Successfully Influence

Contact Hours: 3 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description


How is the sequence used in business and industry?

Monroe's Motivated Sequence is widely used in business and industry to create persuasive messages and presentations that effectively engage audiences and drive action. Here are some ways in which the sequence is applied in the business context:

Sales and Marketing Presentations: The sequence provides a framework for structuring persuasive sales pitches and marketing presentations. It helps salespeople and marketers grab the audience's attention, identify their needs, present a satisfying solution, visualize the benefits, and ultimately call for action. By following the sequence, businesses can effectively communicate the value of their products or services and motivate potential customers to make a purchase.

Business Proposals: When presenting business proposals, the sequence helps in making a compelling case for a particular idea, project, or partnership. By following the steps of attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action, the proposal can capture the attention of decision-makers, present the problem or opportunity, offer a satisfying solution, visualize the desired outcomes, and conclude with a clear call to action. This structured approach enhances the persuasiveness and coherence of the proposal.


Change Management Communications: Organizations often need to communicate changes, such as new policies, procedures, or initiatives, to their employees. The sequence can be employed to effectively convey the need for change, present the benefits and satisfaction that the change will bring, help employees visualize the positive outcomes, and call for their active participation or support. This approach helps create buy-in and overcome resistance to change within the organization.

Investor Presentations: Startups and businesses seeking investment use the sequence to deliver persuasive investor presentations. The attention step is crucial for grabbing the attention of potential investors, followed by the need for highlighting the problem or market opportunity. The satisfaction stage involves presenting the business model, unique value proposition, and growth potential. Visualization helps investors see the future success of the business, and the action step prompts them to invest or take the next steps.

Internal Communication: Within organizations, the sequence can be used for internal communications aimed at motivating employees, fostering engagement, and driving specific actions. Whether it's announcing new initiatives, launching employee programs, or seeking participation in company-wide campaigns, following the sequence helps structure the message effectively and ensure clarity, relevance, and motivation for action.

Overall, Monroe's Motivated Sequence provides a strategic framework for crafting persuasive messages and presentations in various business and industry contexts. By following the sequence's steps, businesses can engage their audiences, address their needs, present satisfying solutions, visualize positive outcomes, and call for action, ultimately achieving their communication objectives


As a self-learning instructional guide, the component parts include self-reflection writing exercises, reviewing case studies and simulations. The main objective is to initially have the user create baseline writing samples and then compare those with writing samples created based on Monroe's Motivated Sequence. By making a repetitive comparison to baseline writing samples there should be a significant difference and noticeable improvement in ones writing. Any type of Business Communication writing in which the sender requires action to be taken by the receiver of communication via email, written instructions, memos, documents, and many other forms will have an expected outcome that can be quickly realized and applied to the workflow.

Note: Throughout the course, participants will have access to case studies and simulations that demonstrate the application of Monroe's Motivated Sequence in various business communication scenarios. These resources will provide practical examples and opportunities for employees to apply the concepts learned. It is suggested that the student also example web and A.I. to generate additional materials.

By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of Monroe's Motivated Sequence and knowledge on how to apply it to your business communication writing activities. You will also have gained practical skills in crafting persuasive messages that effectively influence and persuade a target audience.

Outcome


The anticipated outcomes of this course are as follows:

This instructional guide emphasizes various types of business communication writing, including email, written instructions, memos, and documents, where the sender aims to prompt action from the receiver.

The method focuses on practical application and quick realization of improved communication skills, allowing employees to seamlessly integrate their newfound knowledge into their workflow.

Through a combination of self-reflection exercises, case study analysis, and simulations, employees will gain a deeper understanding of Monroe's Motivated Sequence and its application in persuasive business communication. They will learn to grab attention, establish needs, present satisfying solutions, visualize positive outcomes, and drive action through their writing.

By following this fast-track eLearning method, employees will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to enhance their business communication writing skills quickly and effectively. The repetitive comparison between baseline and treated writing samples will enable them to witness tangible improvements in their communication outcomes, resulting in more impactful and influential written messages.

Assessment

Self analysis of your writing samples that have been treated with Monroe's Motivate Sequence techniques when compared with previously written documents created earlier in the course of study. Activities required with the study of case-studies and simulations.

Outline

Introduction to Monroe's Motivated Sequence

  • Create baseline writing samples
  • Understanding the importance of persuasive writing in business communication
  • Overview of Monroe's Motivated Sequence (MMS) as a framework for persuasive messages
  • Exploring the five steps of the sequence: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action
  • Attention: Captivating Your Audience
  • Techniques for grabbing attention and creating interest in your writing
  • Analyzing attention-grabbing strategies in real-world examples
  • Applying attention-grabbing techniques to business communication writing

Need: Identifying and Presenting the Problem
  • Identifying the needs, challenges, or problems your audience faces
  • Crafting persuasive messages that emphasize the significance of the problem
  • Analyzing case studies to identify effective need statements

Satisfaction: Presenting Solutions and Benefits
  • Developing compelling solutions to address the identified needs
  • Presenting benefits and advantages of your proposed solutions
  • Incorporating evidence and persuasive language to enhance satisfaction in your writing

Visualization and Action: Inspiring Your Audience

  • Techniques for creating vivid mental imagery and engaging emotions
  • Encouraging your audience to visualize the positive outcomes of taking action
  • Crafting compelling calls to action to prompt desired responses