
By using the word topics, Aristotle means
the places a writer might go to discover
methods for proof and strategies for
presenting ideas.

The word topos means place.

The most important use of the topics for
invention is in the types of reasoning a
writer might engage in to create an
argument.

These topics represent a place where
writers can use particular patterns of
reasoning to generate ideas and
supporting material that audiences will
accept as valid and legitimate

Basic Topics
(Aristotle called them konnoi topoi,
which means the “people’s topics)

Possible and impossible
Argues that if X is possible, then so is Y,
or that if X is impossible, then so is Y.
Example:
You are writing a letter to your
congressman asking that he support
increased funding for cancer research.
Arguing the possible, you might say that
since science found cures for typhoid
fever, diphtheria and polio, it is possible
for them to find a cure for cancer if there
is sufficient funding for research.

Example:
You are writing about life-supporting
conditions on planets other than Earth.
Arguing the impossible, you might reason
that since the polar caps on Earth
cannot support much life, it is certainly
impossible for life as we know it to
survive on planets largely covered by
ice.


Example: You are writing about Babe Ruth,
examining whether he really did “call the
shot” on his famous home run at Wrigley
Field. You read the inconclusive accounts.
Based on what you have read about Babe
Ruth’s bold personality and showmanship,
you argue that he did indeed point with his
bat to the place in the stands where he
intended to hit the home run just before he
hit it right to that spot.
Example:
You are writing a paper about Harry
Truman’s decision to order the atomic
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the
end of WWII. Given the historical facts and
interpretations surrounding those events, you
might argue that the US was, as Truman
maintained, simply trying to end the war more
quickly.

Example:
You are writing a paper analyzing the
proposals to build a Star Wars defense
system. You argue that, given the history of
defense systems built for defensive purposes
being used instead to attack other
countries, in all probability any Star Wars
system would be used offensively rather
that defensively.

You are writing an analysis of whether
increased standardized testing will lead
to higher achievement in public schools.
 Arguing the greater, you could claim
that if the state of Tennessee can show
gains in student performance from the
rigorous program of testing in the
schools, so can all the states if they
simply follow the Tennessee model.

Example:
You are writing a paper for an education
class about vertical teams, groups of
teachers at different grade levels who try
to sequence instruction so that one
grade leads carefully to the next.
Arguing the less, you could claim that if
large corporations can improve their
product by creating vertical teams, so
can schools.

Definition
Using this topic for invention, you generate
material by defining key terms according to
its category or class.
Example:
You are writing a paper about learning
disabilities. You would clearly demonstrate
what you mean by the term learning
disability and then clarifying which
disabilities specifically influence a person’s
learning.

Division
You divide some or all of your subject
matter into parts.
Example:
You are writing a paper on how to perform
a major role in a play. You might divide
this whole topic into two parts: how to
rehearse and how to perform.

Comparison and Contrast
(similarities and differences)
Example:
You are writing a brochure about the best
colleges for a person who is interested in
community service. After consulting
websites and brochures from several
colleges with community service programs,
you might show how the colleges are similar
and different in these areas: relation of
service to students’ majors, proximity and
accessibility, range of community needs.

Relationships
(cause and effect)
Example:
You are writing a paper analyzing whether
increasing the number of lanes on a
highway will eliminate most of the traffic
jams. You could point out that increasing
the number of lanes will actually make
traffic worse because expansion of the
lanes will cause more homes and businesses
to be built along that route.

Circumstances
These topics include 3 of the basic topics

Possible and Impossible
 Past fact
 Future fact

Testimony
You can generate material by
investigating what authorities or people
with extensive experience with your
subject say about it.
You can generate material through
research.

Example:
You are writing a paper about the growth of
women’s sports in high schools and
colleges. You could collect testimony by
interviewing the athletic directors of several
schools and asking about their experiences
with the growth of female participation in
sports.

You could also research primary sources from
the government about Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972.