Aristotle’s 5 Common Topics of Invention
(“topics of invention" literally means "places to find things")
Aristotle – student of Plato, and teacher of Alexander the Great was a genius of ancient Greece
who analyzed and systematized logic, rhetoric (language) and much of the natural sciences.
In the 5 Common Topics of Invention, Aristotle is giving us the thinking tools by which we can
begin to study and understand almost anything – including our own ideas and those of others.
1 Definition - Naming was one of the first tasks of man and brings clarity and vision
How do I define____?
What kind of thing is _________?
2 Compare and Contrast - what are the similarities and differences between this and_______?
3 Circumstance - What is going on in the time of _______?
What is present in the place area world of_______?
4 Relationship - What causes ____ ?
What proceeds or follows _____ ?
What are the effects of ______?
What depends on_______?
What is contrary to/prevents _______?
5 Authority - What have others said about _____ ?