The audience memory curve summarizes research on what an ordinary presentation audience is most likely to remember from the presenter's messages. In communication strategy, it is important to use direct approach in the beginning of a presentation. This is where the audience remembers most of the ideas presented. Use and deliver ideas in descending importance order. Leave the second most important message to last.
If indirect approach is used then the ending of the presentation should conclude the main idea as a solution.
The audience memory curve is important when planning effective corporate communication.
Famous quotes containing the words audience, memory and/or curve:
“When you are writing before there is an audience anything written is as important as any other thing and you cherish anything and everything that you have written. After the audience begins, naturally they create something that is they create you, and so not everything is so important, something is more important than another thing ...”
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)
“We turned to other things.
I haven’t any memory have you?
Of ever coming to the place again
To see if the birds lived the first night through.
And so at last to learn to use their wings.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“In philosophical inquiry, the human spirit, imitating the movement of the stars, must follow a curve which brings it back to its point of departure. To conclude is to close a circle.”
—Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867)