A test of Monroe's Motivated Sequence for its effects on ratings of message organization and attitude change

The experiment examined Monroe's Motivated Sequence, an organizational patt ern commonly taught in basic speech courses for its effects on attitude cha nge and ratings of comprehensibility of messages. Treatment groups of 21, 2 3, and 24 participants read one of three versions of a persuasive message t hat advocated a $50 fee increase to improve parking facilities on campus. O ne version represented Monroe's five-step sequence, a second version revers ed the five steps, and a third randomly ordered the steps. A control group of 22 read a message unrelated to the parking issue. Analysis showed no dif ferences in attitude change across the four groups. The Monroe sequence con dition did produce significantly higher ratings of comprehensibility on one of four comparisons.