The Common Topics
In classical rhetoric, the Common Topics were a short list of four traditional topics regarded as suitable to structure an argument.
Four Traditional Topics
- Past Fact (Circumstance)
- Possible/Impossible (Possibility)
- Future Fact (Circumstance)
- Greater/Lesser (Comparison)
Expanded List of Topics
Edward P.J. Corbett and Robert J. Connors expanded the list in their 1971 book Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student to include:
- Definition
- genus / division / species
- etymology
- description
- definition
- example
- synonyms
- Comparison
- similarity
- difference
- degree
- Circumstance
- cause and effect
- timing
- Relationship
- contraries
- exclusion
- Testimony
- statistics
- maxims
- law
- precedents
- personal example
- historical example
- authoritative quotes
See also
References
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