Analyzing Message in "Legalize It -- The Economic Argument"

Reflecting on the bullets from pg. 182 of A Student's Guide to First Year Writing:

Relevant Bullets:

• Express an idea or opinion

The author is expressing his opinion that marijuana should be legalized in the U.S. by providing examples of ways it would benefit the country and citizens of it.

• Respond to a particular occasion or text

The text responds to an event where one of the author's neighbors was arrested for pot possession, and how he received a 1-year sentence for the minor charge. He goes on to state how the neighbor was a kind, older gentleman who was a well-liked community figure, and how his imprisonment for a petty crime has not only devastated his own life, but also his wife and family's.

• Explore a topic

The author explores the notion of legalizing marijuana and changing current laws to ease the burden on the U.S prison system, migrate funds used for unnecessary enforcement to areas of the economy that would have greater need for them, such as schools and infrastructure, as well as explores the topic of how marijuana has not been found to be harmful to the human body.

• Inform the reader about a topic that is often misunderstood

The text aims to inform the reader that current beliefs about marijuana are often misunderstood and the facts that most people live by are not correct. Dighe does this by stating generally believed facts, and proving they are myths with the use of secondary sources and credible information.

• Advocate for change

Dighe advocates that the current laws change in the U.S., and marijuana becomes legalized. He is pro-legalization and does not support the current system of suppressing marijuana usage.

• Move the readers to feel a certain way

The author uses detailed examples, such as how his elderly neighbor got arrested and the resulting ruining of his family, as well as uses analogies such as Prohibition, and reminds the readers how that worked out and the influx of criminal organizations during that time.

• Analyze, synthesize, or interpret

Dighe analyzes the current laws and societal beliefs, and interprets them as being unhealthy for the U.S., and how they could/should be changed to improve the U.S.

• Reflect on a topic

The article reflects on how legalization of marijuana would benefit the U.S.

Not Relevant bullets:

• Persuade readers of something

A fantastic example of an informative piece, Dighe never forces anything on anyone in the text. He does not turn bias and say "If you don't support legalization, you're a bad person." Only informs the readers on his opinion, gives reasons and examples, and then lets the reader decide what they want to think.

Any nuances to the text?

The general message is that marijuana should be legalized. Some nuances that are expressed are why it should be, the benefits of it being legal, the health implications, current and future usage of the drug, and the positive impacts it would have on families and communities, as well as the U.S. economy.

Flickr. Purpose, March 27, 2012, Attribution Share-Alike 2.0 Generic