Book 1
2.22
Most enthymemes are constructed from these specific topics, which are called particular and special, fewer from those that are common or universal. As then we have done in the TopicsAristot. Sophist. Elenchi (Fallacies) 9. This treatise is really the ninth and concluding part of the Topics., so here we must distinguish the specific and universal topics, from which enthymemes may be constructed. By specific topics I mean the propositions peculiar to each class of things, by universal those common to all alike. Let us then first speak of the specific topics, but before doing so let us ascertain the different kinds of Rhetoric, so that, having determined their number, we may separately ascertain their elements and propositions.Propositions (or premises), the name given to the two first statements in a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn: All men are mortal (major premise); Socrates is a man (minor premise); therefore Socrates is mortal.
3.1
The kinds of Rhetoric are three in number, corresponding to the three kinds of hearers. For every speech is composed of three parts: the speaker, the subject of which he treats, and the person to whom it is addressed, I mean the hearer, to whom the end or object of the speech refers.
3.2
Now the hearer must necessarily be either a mere spectator or a judge, and a judge either of things past or of things to come.All three kinds of hearers are regarded as judges (the mere spectator as a critic), although strictly κριτής should be limited to the law courts. For instance, a member of the general assembly is a judge of things to come; the dicast, of things past; the mere spectator, of the ability of the speaker.
3.3
Therefore there are necessarily three kinds of rhetorical speeches, deliberative, forensic, and epideictic.
