Topical Invention

homework

Topical Invention : explaining a concept

To use this resource, insert your topic in the spaces provided and answer the questions, focusing on the ones that give you some ideas about how to develop your paper (write out extended answers that may become part of your draft for these.. You may need to think creatively about your topic to do this.

Definition

	How does the dictionary define __________?
	What earlier words did __________ come from?
	What group of things does __________ seem to belong to? How is __________ different from other things in this group?
	What parts can __________ be divided into?
	Did __________ mean something in the past that it doesn't mean now? If so, what? What does this former meaning tell us about how the idea grew and developed?
	Does __________ mean something now that it didn't years ago? If so, what?
	What other words mean approximately the same as __________?
	What are some concrete examples of __________?
	When is the meaning of __________ misunderstood?

Circumstance

	Is __________ possible or impossible?
	What qualities, conditions, or circumstances make __________ possible or impossible?
	Supposing that __________ is possible, is it also desirable? Why?
	When did __________ happen previously?
	Who has done or experienced __________?
	Who can do __________?
	If __________ starts, what makes it end?
	What would it take for __________ to happen now?
	What would prevent __________ from happening?

Relationship

	What causes __________?
	What is the purpose of __________?
	Why does __________ happen?
	What is the consequence of __________?
	What comes before __________?
	What comes after __________?

Comparison

	What is __________ similar to? In what ways?
	What is __________ different from? In what ways?
	__________ is superior to what? In what ways?
	__________ is inferior to what? In what ways?
	__________ is most unlike what? In what ways?
	__________ is most like what? In what ways?

Testimony

	What have I heard people say about __________?
	Do I know any facts or statistics about __________? If so, what?
	Have I talked with anyone about __________?
	Do I know any famous or well-known saying (e.g. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush") about __________?
	Can I quote any proverbs or any poems about __________?
	Are there any laws about __________?
	Do I remember any songs about __________? Do I remember anything I've read about __________ in books or magazines? Anything I've seen in a movie or on television?
	Do I want to do any research on __________?