The Common Topics

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In classical rhetoric, the Common Topics (koinoi topoi)were a short list of four traditional topics regarded as suitable to structure an argument.^{[citation needed]}

In Aristotle's Rhetoric, the common topics are discussed in Book II.^[1] They are generally considered to be heuristic.^[1]

1. Past Fact (Circumstance)
2. Possible/Impossible (Possibility)
3. Future Fact (Circumstance)
4. Greater/Lesser (Comparison)

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

• Rhetoric (Aristotle)

• Common Topics (course handout)