The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

•Division:

•Comparison:

•Relationship:

•Circumstances:

•Testimony:

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific•Division:

Whole / Parts

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific•Division:

Whole / Parts•Comparison:

Similarity / Difference, or Degree

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific•Division:

Whole / Parts•Comparison:

Similarity / Difference, or Degree•Relationship:

Cause / Effect; Contraries; Contradictions

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific•Division:

Whole / Parts•Comparison:

Similarity / Difference, or Degree•Relationship:

Cause / Effect; Contraries; Contradictions•Circumstances:

Possible / Impossible; Past Fact / Future Fact

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific•Division:

Whole / Parts•Comparison:

Similarity / Difference, or Degree•Relationship:

Cause / Effect; Contraries; Contradictions•Circumstances:

Possible / Impossible; Past Fact / Future Fact•Testimony:

Authorities; Witnesses; Maxims; Rumors; Oaths; Documents; etc.

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our first subject

The Rhetoric, Book II: The Topics

Some topoi•Definition:

General / Specific•Division:

Whole / Parts•Comparison:

Similarity / Difference, or Degree•Relationship:

Cause / Effect; Contraries; Contradictions•Circumstances:

Possible / Impossible; Past Fact / Future Fact•Testimony:

Authorities; Witnesses; Maxims; Rumors; Oaths; Documents; etc.

TOPIC: from the Greek topos (plural: topoi), meaning “place.” According to Aristotle, a topic is a general argumentative pattern out of which arguments about specific subjects can be generated.

Our second subject