Dispositio
- the introduction, orĀ exordium The termĀ exordiumĀ is Latin for "the beginning". In the exordium, the speaker gives their main argument, and all the relevant information.
- the statement of the case, orĀ narratio. Quintilian explained that in the narratio "we shall for instance represent a person accused of theft as covetous, accused of adultery as lustful, accused of homicide as rash, or attribute the opposite qualities to these persons if we are defending them; further we must do the same with place, time and the like".
- the outline of the major points in the argument, orĀ divisioĀ (sometimes known asĀ partitio). It has two functions: to name the issues in dispute and to list the arguments to be used in the order they will appear.
- the proof of the case, orĀ confirmatio. It confirms or validates the material given in the narratio and partitio.
- the refutation of possible opposing arguments, orĀ confutatio. If the rhetor anticipates that certain people in his audience may disagree with his speech, he must be prepared to refute the argument that could possibly be presented in opposition to his original speech.
- the conclusion, orĀ peroratio. Cicero taught that a rhetor can do three things in this step: sum up his arguments, cast anyone who disagrees with him in a negative light, and arouse sympathy for himself, his clients, or his case.