Definition
A commonplace is a familiar or conventional idea, argument, theme, or expression that recurs across multiple works of literature, rhetoric, or discourse. In classical rhetoric, it refers to a "topos" (plural: topoi), a standard line of reasoning or a ready-made argument that speakers and writers draw upon to persuade an audience.
Overview
Commonplaces serve as stock material that can be adapted to various contexts, allowing authors to invoke shared cultural or moral assumptions without extensive elaboration. They appear in essays, speeches, sermons, and literary texts, often functioning as a bridge between the writer's own insights and the audience's existing beliefs. The practice of compiling and studying commonplaces dates back to antiquity; the ancient Greeks and Romans catalogued “places” (topoi) for use in argumentation. During the Renaissance and Enlightenment, scholars created “commonplace books” to collect quotations, maxims, and observations, further institutionalizing the concept.
Etymology / Origin
The term derives from the combination of common (from Latin communis, meaning "shared, mutual") and place (from Old French place, meaning "location, spot"). In Middle English, commonplace denoted something ordinary or widely encountered. Its specialized rhetorical sense emerged in the 16th‑17th centuries, influenced by the Latin locus communis (“common place” or “shared location”) used to denote a generic argumentative theme.
Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Familiarity | Relies on widely recognized ideas or moral principles. |
| Standardization | Often expressed in a conventional or formulaic manner. |
| Adaptability | Can be re‑contextualized to suit different subjects or audiences. |
| Persuasive Function | Provides an argumentative shortcut, lending credibility through precedent. |
| Cultural Embeddedness | Reflects prevailing social, religious, or philosophical norms of a given era. |
| Potential for Cliché | Overuse may render a commonplace trite or unoriginal. |
Related Topics
- Rhetorical Topoi – Classical categories of argumentation from Aristotle and the Rhetorica ad Herennium.
- Commonplace Book – A personal anthology of quotes, ideas, and observations compiled for reference.
- Cliché – An overused expression that may originate from a commonplace.
- Trope – A figurative or metaphorical use of language that can become a commonplace through repetition.
- Ethos, Pathos, Logos – Modes of persuasion that may be reinforced by employing commonplaces.
Note: While the general notion of a “commonplace” is well documented in rhetorical and literary scholarship, the phrase “A Commonplace” as a distinct, formally defined concept does not appear as a separate entry in major encyclopedic references. The above description synthesizes established understandings of the term within its scholarly contexts.