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topos

topos
Danh từ
Số nhiều: topoi

This term is primarily used in academic, literary, and rhetorical analysis. It describes a prefabricated mental shortcut or a cultural cliché that a writer uses to instantly signal a specific mood or idea to the audience without needing extensive exposition. While a motif is a recurring element, a topos is a broader, culturally shared convention—a "place" of common understanding.

In rhetorical contexts, it refers to a "commonplace," serving as a standardized logical starting point for an argument. Because it is a technical term derived from Greek, it is rarely encountered in casual conversation and is almost exclusively reserved for scholarly critique or formal discourse on linguistics and philosophy.

Ý nghĩa

Danh từtopos

A traditional theme or a recurring motif used in literature or rhetoric to evoke a specific emotional response or cultural association.

The author employs the topos of the ruined castle to emphasize the theme of decay.

Danh từtopos

In rhetoric, a commonplace or a standardized argument or formula used as a starting point for a discourse.

The speaker relied on the topos of the hardworking citizen to appeal to the audience's sense of duty.

Từ liên quan

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Last Updated: July 15, 2026Report an Error