Skip to main content
Three photos of a man and a woman, a tour bus, and a sunset placed on a corkboard
Three photos of a man and a woman, a tour bus, and a sunset placed on a corkboard

June 2025
View PDF

Serial Position Effect in Action


To test the serial position effect yourself, read this list of items aloud to someone:

  • Speaker
  • Chairs
  • Lectern
  • Microphone
  • Charts
  • Applause

Now, ask them to repeat the terms back to you. If “speaker” came quickly, they were influenced by primacy. If “applause” came easily, that was recency at work.


Related Articles

Woman in blue shirt speaking at lectern using hand gesture

Presentation Skills

The Impact of a Strong Speaker Introduction

Step by step blocks

Speechwriting

Build a Great Speech

Man speaking to audience wearing blue suit jacket and tie and red clown nose

Humor

3, 2, 1—Engage!

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the award-winning publication.

About Magazine

Discover more about the award-winning publication.

Magazine FAQ

Answers to your common magazine questions.

Submissions

How to submit an article query, photo, or story idea.

Staff

Meet the editorial team.