The Common Topics

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Contents 1 Four Traditional Topics 2 Expanded List of Topics 3 References 4 See also

[edit] Four Traditional Topics

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

[edit] Expanded List of Topics

Edward P.J. Corbett and Robert J. Connors expanded the list in their book Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student to include:

• Definition
  • genus
  • division
  • other modes include synonyms, etymology, description, and example
• Comparison
  • similarity
  • difference
  • degree
• Relationship
  • cause and effect
  • antecedent and consequence
  • contraries
  • contradictions
• Circumstance
  • possible and impossible
  • past fact and future fact
• Testimony
  • authority
  • testimonial
  • statistics
  • maxims
  • laws
  • precedents

[edit] References

[1]

[edit] See also

Rhetoric (Aristotle)