SPEECH LESSON 2: DISPOSITIO

A. DISPOSITIO
a. Second canon of rhetoric
b. Refers to arrangement, organization or structure
c. “structuring of ideas to convey them effectively to an audience” (Fraleigh & Tuman, 2014)
d. A speaker needs to order points so they are clear and memorable (Fraleigh & Tuman, 2014)
B. ELEMENTS OF DISPOSITIO
a. Basic Structure
b. Organization Patterns
c. Structuring Support
d. Transitions and Signposts
e. Composing an Outline
C. ARISTOTELIAN FORMAT OF ARGUMENTS
a. Proem/Exordium (Introduction) - Think of the exordium as your introduction or “hook .” In your
exordium, you have an opportunity to gain the interest of your reader, but you also have the responsibility
of situating the argument and setting the tone of your writing. That is, you should find a way to appeal to
the audience’s interest while also introducing the topic and its importance in a professional and considerate
manner. Something to include in this section is the significance of discussing the topic in this given moment
(Kairos). This provides the issue a sense of urgency that can validate your argument. This is also a good
opportunity to consider who your intended audience is and to address their concerns within the context of
the argument.
i. Hook or Attention – Getter - It is the first part or sentence of the introduction that should catch
the attention of the reader or your audience. It may be any of the following:
1. Reference to a subject or problem
2. Reference to the occasion
3. Personal greeting
4. Personal allusion
5. Real or hypothetical illustration/story related to the topic
6. Apt quotation
7. Rhetorical/thought provoking statement
8. Startling statement
9. Humorous anecdote or joke
10. Real object (speech delivery)
11. Photograph (speech delivery)
ii. Credibility Statement - this sentence states that you are an expert (ethos) of the subject you are
speaking about because of your personal experience, your research background or even your
personal interest on the topic. Look at the sample credibility statement below:
"My mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis five years ago, and since that time I have
found myself studying extensively about the disease so that I could better understand what to
expect with my mom's diagnosis now and in the future."
iii. Audience Relevance or Goodwill Statement - What will your audience get from your speech?
What is its relevance to them? How did they become part of your purpose?

The sinking of the Titanic was one of the largest non-war related disasters in history, and it is
important to be knowledgeable about the past.
 Specifically, in a rural setting, population education has been found to contain inaccurate
information; parents should make themselves aware of the curriculum used to educate their
children.

b. Narratio (Narration) - The narratio provides relevant foundational information and describes the social
context in which your topic exists. This might include information on the historical background, including
recent changes or updates to the topic, social perception, important events, and other academic research.
This helps to establish the rhetorical situation for the argument: that is, the situation the argument is
currently in, as impacted by events, people, opinion, and urgency of some kind.
Providing this type of information creates the setting for your argument. In other words, it provides
the place and purpose for the argument to take place. By situating your argument within in a viable context
,you create an opportunity to assert yourself into the discussion, as well as to give your reader a genuine
understanding of your topic’s importance.
To construct your speech’s narratio, combine the following information you formulated during the
preliminary writing activity:
i. Problem Identification
ii. Status Quo
iii. Status Quo Mechanism

c. Propositio and Partitio - These two concepts function together to help set up your argument. You can
think of them functioning together to form a single thesis. The propositio informs your audience of your
stance, and the partitio lays out your argument. In other words, the propositio tells your audience what you
think about a topic, and the partitio briefly explains why you think that way and how you will prove your
point. Because this section helps to set up the rest of your argument, you should place it near the beginning
of your paper. Keep in mind, however, that you should not give away all of your information or evidence
in your partitio. This section should be fairly short: perhaps 3-4 sentences at most for most academic essays.
You can think of this section of your argument like the trailer for a new film: it should be concise, should
entice the audience, and should give them a good example of what they are going to experience, but it
shouldn’t include ever y detail. Just as a filmgoer must see an entire film to gain an understanding of its
significance or quality, so too must your audience read the rest of your argument to truly understand its
depth and scope.
To construct propositio and partitio, combine the following into a single paragraph ranging from
3-4 sentences.:
i. Central Idea Statement
ii. Arguments

d. Confirmatio & Refutatio - These two represent different types of proofs that you will need to consider
when crafting your argument. The confirmatio and refutatio work in opposite ways, but are both very
effective in strengthening your claims. Confirmatio is a way to confirm your claims and is considered a
positive proof; refutatio is a way to acknowledge and refute a counterclaim and is considered a negative
proof..
The confirmatio is your argument ’s support : the evidence that helps to support your claims. It contains
the three main points in your central idea or thesis statement. Each main point tagline is separated by
transitions: bridge transitions and signposts.
 • Bridge transitions are used for the main points. Bridge transitions are statements that provide the
audience with a brief review of where you have been in the speech and create a link with where
your speech will go next.
o "Now that we have discussed the first step in the bread making process, the recipe, let us
move on to the next step, which is mixing the ingredients."
o "Now that we understand the problem associated with a low voter turnout, let's move our
attention towards our next point, the solution."
o "Keeping with traditions of old are important, but let us now shift towards my second point,
traditions of the future."
• Signposts - For sub-point separation, a signpost transition works best. Signposts are short words
or phrases that set apart ideas from the body portion of the speech. Examples are first, second, third,
next, finally and other transitional devices.

The refutatio provides negative proofs. This is an opportunity for you to acknowledge that other
opinions exist and have merit , while also showing why those claims do not warrant rejecting your
argument. After acknowledging an opposing viewpoint , you have two options:

1. Concession - you acknowledge the merit of the opposing argument, admit that the point
is
valid and you can find no fault with their reasoning but you should still try to flip the
evidence in a positive way
“Despite all of the potential for positive learning provided by technology, proponents of
more traditional classroom materials point out the distractive possibilities that such
technology would introduce into the classroom. They argue that distractions such as
computer games, social media, and music-streaming ser vices would only get in the way
of learning.”
2. Refutation - pointing out the flaws in your opponent ’s argument.
“While proponents of more traditional English classrooms express concerns about
student distraction, it’s important to realize that in modern times, students are already
distracted by the technology they carry around in their pockets. By redirecting student
attention to the technology administered by the school, this distraction is shifted to class
content. Plus, with website and app blocking resources available to schools, it is simple
for an institution to simply decide which websites and apps to ban and block, thereby
ensuring students are on task.”

e. Peroratio - Your peroratio is your conclusion. This is your final opportunity to make an impact in your
essay and leave an impression on your audience. In this section, you are expected to summarize and re-
evaluate everything you have proven throughout your argument. Remember that your peroratio is the last
impression your audience will have of your argument. Be sure to consider carefully which rhetorical appeals
to employ to gain a desirable effect. Make sure also to summarize your findings, including the most
effective and emphatic pieces of evidence from your argument , reassert your major claim, and end on a
compelling, memorable note. This part contains the following:
i. Signal to Close – uses signposts that indicate that you are about to end your speech.
ii. Internal Summary – the arguments restated in past tense
"Today I have told you how to play a simple song on the guitar by discussing the strings, the
finger positions, and finally the strumming involved."
 "There are many reasons for donating blood and today I have focused on two of them, the benefit
this provides other people, and the personal benefits that you will gain."
iii. Call to Action (for persuasive speech only) - Specifically, what do you want your audience to do
after listening to your speech?
iv. Clincher – The clincher serves as your concluding sentence. It could be any of the following:
o Challenge or appeal
o Summary of major points or ideas
o Real or hypothetical illustration
o Expression or personal intention or endorsement
o Apt quotation
o Rhetorical question
o Humorous anecdote or joke

References:

Classical argument. Classical Argument - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2022, from
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/historical_perspectives_on_argumentation/classical_argum
ent.html

Engell, James (n.d.). Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking [MOOC]. Havard Online/edX.
https://www.harvardonline.harvard.edu/course/rhetoric-art-persuasive-writing-public-speaking

Saffy, Edna Louise. Introduction to Aristotelian Rhetoric. Circa 1980-2010. Dr. Edna Louise Saffy Collection. University
of North Florida, Thomas G. Carpenter Library Special Collections and Archives. UNF Digital Commons,
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/saffy_text/643/

Tucker, Barbara; Barton, Kristin; Burger, Amy; Drye, Jerry; Hunsicker, Cathy; Mendes, Amy; and LeHew, Matthew,
"Exploring Public Speaking: 4th Edition" (2019). Communication Open Textbooks. 1.
https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/communication-textbooks/1
 1

Time for a Change: Legalizing Marijuana in the State of Texas

Ronald Cummings

School of Undergraduate Studies, Excelsior University

English 101: English Composition

Dr. Jessica Williams

August 8, 2022
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Time for a Change: Legalizing Marijuana in the State of Texas

Before marijuana became illegal in the United States, it was used for a variety of

purposes, including medicine, stomach medicine in fact. It was sold as an over-the-counter

medicine for upset stomach or other stomach problems, but it has had other uses as well. (Pollan,

2001). To deny the fact that humans have used marijuana for thousands of years to alter

consciousness would be misleading. But, altering one’s consciousness was not necessarily seen

as a bad thing. After all, humans have also been using alcohol to alter our consciousness for

thousands of years as well. The classification of marijuana as an extremely dangerous drug is a

story that began at the turn of the century, when we begin to see rhetoric linking marijuana use to

Mexican immigrants and African Americans. According to Harry J. Anslinger of the Federal

Bureau of Narcotics in the 1930s, “Most marijuana smokers are Negroes, Hispanics, jazz

musicians, and entertainers. Their satanic music is driven by marijuana, and marijuana smoking

by white women makes them want to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and

others” (as cited in Hoff, 2014, para. 3). Comments like this and the apparent hysteria over the

1936 film, Reefer Madness, which depicted marijuana turning normal teenagers into juvenile

delinquents indicate that reason and logic were not always involved in the decision to make

marijuana illegal and classify it as a Level 1 narcotic, like heroin. Instead, stereotypes, racism,

and fear often influenced our country’s decision makers.
Although it is important to note that there is no such thing as a completely safe drug,
marijuana does seem to be one of the safest mind-altering drugs available to humans, and recent
Commented [A1]: Here, the author uses pathos to get his
audience’s attention related to the history of marijuana and
the process of making it an illegal drug. The quote from the
1930s, which clearly depicts racism, is meant to elicit an
emotional response from the audience.

research showing the benefits of marijuana has fueled a shift in public sentiment toward the drug.

Today, polls show that most Americans favor the legalization of marijuana, even for recreational

use, for adults over the age of 21. The costs of keeping the drug illegal seem to be too great in
 3

most people’s minds. And, while it is important to keep the dangers of any drug in mind when Commented [A2]: Here, the author transitions from his
introductory material to his thesis statement that will follow.
considering legalization, it is time for a change. Due to a greater understanding of marijuana and

its effects, American sentiment about the legalization of marijuana seems to be changing, and

with good reason. With careful regulation, marijuana should be a legal drug in the state of Texas. Commented [A3]: In an Aristotelian argument, a thesis
statement should be clear and assertive. Here, the author
makes a clear assertion about his topic.
One of the strongest arguments for the legalization of marijuana is the fact that alcohol,

another mind-altering drug, is legal. A 2014 poll of Texans found that 58% of people surveyed

felt that marijuana should be legal for adults over the age of 21 and regulated “much like

alcohol” (Marijuana Policy Project, 2014, para. 1). This shift, even from just a few years ago, is

likely fueled by better information about the dangers of marijuana. While there are certainly

myths that exist claiming that marijuana is not addictive at all, it is important to note that it is

addictive, psychologically addictive at the very least, which some health care professionals argue

is just as bad, if not worse, than a physical addition. However, just how addictive a drug is

should be considered. According to researchers, marijuana addicts only about 10% of heavy

users, while tobacco addicts 20% to 30% of smokers, and alcohol addicts 15% of users

(Szalavitz, 2010). And, this is just one area in which marijuana is the safer drug when compared

to alcohol. According to the Center for Disease Control, there are 88,000 alcohol related deaths

each year, many related to liver and heart disease as well as elevated cancer risks associated with

alcohol use (Ferner, 2014). At the same time, although marijuana use is not without its risks, Commented [A4]: The author uses evidence in this
paragraph to make an appeal to logos or logic.
including lung damage related to smoking the drug, even lung-related illnesses are rare, and there

has not been any link to lung cancer.

Another argument for the legalization of marijuana is the money. To put it simply,

because of the popularity of the drug, there is a great deal of revenue to be made from its sale

and taxation. States like Colorado and Washington that legalized marijuana in recent years, have
 4

shown the financial benefits of legalizing this illegal drug. In January 2014, the state of Colorado

made over $2 million in taxes from the sale of marijuana. That’s one month.

According to Kelly Phillips (2014), contributing writer at Forbes magazine, “[T]he state

will see more than $40 million in additional tax dollars in 2014” (para. 1). But, the tax revenue

from marijuana sales is just one way the legalization of marijuana makes financial sense. There

is a great cost associated with the policing of marijuana and the processing of marijuana charges.

A national study from 2004 estimated the U.S. spends about $7.6 billion per year on marijuana

enforcement, $3.7 billion to police it, $853 million for the courts, and $3.1 billion for corrections

(as cited in Austin, 2005, para. 6). Along these lines, some city and state law enforcement

agencies have indicated that focusing on marijuana enforcement takes away valuable time and

resources from fighting more violent crimes.

While these are strong arguments for the legalization of marijuana, some may wonder

what a plan to legalize marijuana might look like. Texas need look no farther than its close

neighbor, Colorado, to find the answers. Marijuana laws that emulate the system Colorado has

put into place would make sense, as the laws address both regulation and taxation. Amendment

64 to legalize and regulate marijuana was passed in Colorado in 2012. Since then, the whole

country has been watching to see what would happen in the state. The results so far have been

mostly positive. According to the amendment, adults over the age of 21 are allowed to possess,

use, and grow a limited amount of marijuana. Marijuana is taxed at a different rate, depending

upon the sale type. There is a 15% excise tax for whole market sales and a 10% sales tax on

retail sales. Because of a relatively high tax rate, Colorado has had issues with black market

sales, as people are allowed to grow under the new law as well, but sales are still high enough to

result in large tax revenues. Because marijuana is regulated like alcohol, those under the age of
 5

21 cannot purchase it, and it is illegal to drive with a THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal

psychoactive chemical in marijuana) levels over 5 nanograms. In an effort prohibit marketing to

teens, marijuana magazines are kept behind the counter, just like pornography magazines

(Henchman, 2014; Overview of Amendment 64, 2012; Flatow, 2013).

Texas could follow the lead of Colorado as well as other states like Washington and

Oregon in regulating marijuana and taking advantage of the robust potential tax revenues. And,

because Texas is not the first state to legalize marijuana, it can learn from both successes and

failures in these other states. Ultimately, regulating marijuana like alcohol just makes good sense

for the economy and for the criminal justice system.

Of course, there is no such thing as a safe drug. Marijuana is not completely safe, but

neither is alcohol. Still, there are some who argue that marijuana is a more dangerous drug and a

“gateway” drug to other, more harmful drugs. However, scientific research does not support the
claims that marijuana is more dangerous than alcohol. In fact, research suggests it is safer. As
noted above, marijuana is less addictive than both alcohol and cigarettes, and while it is
Commented [A5]: Near the end of an Aristotelian, essay,
it is important to devote time to the opposing view. Here, the
author transitions to his opposing view paragraph where he
addresses the concerns of the other side of the issue.
Addressing the opposing views carefully and respectfully is
one way authors build their own ethos or credibility.

psychologically addictive (a very serious form of addiction), it is difficult to argue that marijuana

should be illegal while alcohol is legal. In terms of safety, although marijuana intoxication

increases the chances of automobile accidents, marijuana causes “less dramatic impairment than

alcohol” (Danovitch, 2012, p. 100). Therefore, while marijuana should clearly be regulated, the

fact that it causes less impairment than another popular legal drug is important to note. There is

also no evidence to support the claims that marijuana serves as a “gateway” drug more than

alcohol does. And, while it is important to note that marijuana does pose a serious risk to

developing brains, alcohol does as well. Therefore, efforts to keep marijuana out of the hands of

teens are important, and while under-age drinking continues to be a serious problem in our
 6

culture, steps can be taken at the time of marijuana regulation to learn from the lessons alcohol

teaches. Efforts must be made to prevent marketing to teens and to keep any mind-altering drug

out of the hands of teens, but strong regulation makes this possible.

It is time for Texas to follow in making the same reasonable decision other states, such as

Colorado, Washington, and now Oregon have made, and legalize marijuana for adults over the

age of 21. Although no drug is safe, research indicates that marijuana is safer and less addictive Commented [A6]: Here, the author reminds his audience
of his thesis statement.
than alcohol and even cigarettes. As more states take a stand against unreasonable federal

classifications of the drug, perhaps the United States will consider revisiting its laws as well. We

can continue to spend countless amounts of tax dollars fighting the use of a relatively safe drug,

or we can make a change, legalize marijuana, and actually see a tax and revenue benefit for our

state. Commented [A7]: In his final sentence of his conclusion,

the author leaves his audience with something to think about
related to supporting his side of the issue.
 7

References

Austin, J. (2005, November 2). Rethinking the consequences of decriminalizing marijuana.

NORML.

https://norml.org/pdf_files/NORML_Rethinking_Decriminalizing_Marijuana.pdf

Danovitch, I. (2012). Sorting through the science on marijuana: Facts, fallacies, and implications

for legalization. McGeorge Law Review, 43, 91–108.

http://www.mcgeorge.edu/Publications/McGeorge_Law_Review

Ferner, M. (2014, April 3). Alcohol is a bigger danger to health and society than marijuana,

Americans say. Huffingtonpost Healthy Living. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alcohol-

vs-marijuana_n_5085506

Flatow, N. (2013, May 13). Six ways Colorado will regulate marijuana like alcohol. Think

Progress. https://thinkprogress.org/six-ways-colorado-will-regulate-marijuana-like-

alcohol-ed4addf60eac/

Henchman, J. (2014). Taxing marijuana: The Washington and Colorado experience.

http://taxfoundation.org/article/taxing-marijuana-washington-and-coloradoexperience

Hoff, T. (2014). Why was marijuana made illegal in the first place?

http://ssdp.org/news/blog/why-was-marijuana-illegal-first-place/

Marijuana Policy Project. (2014). Polls show 58% of Texas voters support making marijuana

legal for adults. http://www.mpp.org/media/press-releases/poll-shows-58of-texas.html

Overview of amendment 64. (2012). http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/about

Phillips, K. (2014, March 11). It’s no toke: Colorado pulls in millions in marijuana tax revenue.

Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2014/03/11/its-no-toke-colorado-

pulls-in-millions-in-marijuana-tax-revenue/#59b523d25c36
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Pollan, M. (2001). The botany of desire: A plant’s-eye view of the world. Random House.

Szalavitz, M. (2010, October 19). Is marijuana addictive? It depends how you define addiction.

Time. https://healthland.time.com/2010/10/19/is-marijuana-addictive-it-depends-how-

you-define-addiction/