Need

Definition

In the context of persuasive communication, a need refers to a perceived gap between a current situation and a desired state that motivates individuals to take action. This concept is essential for understanding how to effectively persuade an audience by identifying what they lack or desire, creating a sense of urgency and relevance that compels them to act.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Identifying a clear need is crucial for engaging the audience's attention and establishing relevance in a persuasive message.
2. A well-defined need can create emotional appeal, prompting listeners to empathize with the situation and feel compelled to respond.
3. In Monroe's Motivated Sequence, the first step is establishing the need, which sets the foundation for presenting a solution that meets that need.
4. Understanding the audience's specific needs allows for more targeted and effective persuasion, increasing the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.
5. Addressing the need effectively involves not only highlighting the gap but also illustrating the consequences of inaction, further motivating the audience.

Review Questions

• How does identifying a need influence the effectiveness of a persuasive speech?
  • Identifying a need is critical because it grabs the audience's attention and shows them why they should care about the message. When speakers highlight a specific gap between what is and what could be, it creates a sense of urgency. This emotional connection can motivate listeners to consider the proposed solution more seriously, making it easier for them to engage with and support the argument presented.
• What role does audience analysis play in establishing a need in persuasive communication?
  • Audience analysis is essential because it helps communicators understand what their listeners care about and what gaps they perceive in their lives. By analyzing the audience's values, beliefs, and experiences, speakers can tailor their message to resonate more effectively with them. This tailored approach ensures that the identified need feels relevant and urgent, which significantly enhances the chances of persuasion.
• Evaluate how Monroe's Motivated Sequence utilizes the concept of need to drive action in audiences.
  • Monroe's Motivated Sequence systematically leverages the concept of need by starting with its identification before moving on to solutions. This model first captures attention through an immediate recognition of a problem or gap that affects the audience. Once this need is established, it generates emotion and urgency, leading into presenting practical solutions. This step-by-step process not only clarifies why action is necessary but also ensures that listeners feel compelled to participate in resolving the identified issues, fostering greater commitment to the proposed actions.

Related terms

Desire: A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen, often driving the motivation to fulfill a need.

Problem-Solution Format: A rhetorical structure used in persuasive speech that presents a problem (need) and follows with a proposed solution to address it.

Audience Analysis: The process of understanding the characteristics, beliefs, and needs of an audience in order to tailor persuasive messages effectively.