The Common Topics Explained

In classical rhetoric, the Common Topics were a short list of four traditional topics regarded as suitable to structure an argument.

Four Traditional Topics

1. Past Fact (Circumstance)
2. Possible/Impossible (Possibility)
3. Future Fact (Circumstance)
4. 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
  • open
  • closed
  • complicated
  • sexual
  • casual
• Testimony
  • statistics
  • maxims
  • law
  • precedents
  • personal example
  • historical example
  • authoritative quotes

See also

• Rhetoric (Aristotle)

References

• http://www.u.arizona.edu/~tkinney/pdf/handouts/commontopics.pdf