The Common Topics - Wikipedia

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

Four Traditional Topics

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Past Fact (Circumstance)
Possible/Impossible (Possibility)
Future Fact (Circumstance)
Greater/Lesser (Comparison)

Expanded List of Topics

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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

References

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Four Traditional Topics

Expanded List of Topics

See also

References