CHAP. II
Of Invention. An Introduction to the Art of Rhetorick | ||
The Praxis.
Every Theam or proposition doth consist of three parts, a Subject, a Predicate, and a Copula. That is called the Subject, of which we speak; The Predicate, that which is spoken of the Subject; and the Copula is some Verbe which joynes the subject with the predicate. In this proposition Clodius is the Subject, because it is of him that we are to
Now therefore if you would find out arguments on this Subject, consider well, which is the Subject, and which is the Predicate in your proposiiton: Then take the Subject and go through every Topick: first go to Definition, and ask what it is, what is the nature of it, and how it is distinguished from other things. Then go to Division, and see into how many parts the Subject may be divided; and so forward from Topick to Topick. And still observe to your self every argument, which doth by this means arise from the Subject, and applie it to the Predicate, so shall you easily see, whether it doth fully confirme your proposition; and when you have done with the Subject, take the Predicate, and run through the several Topicks, with that also; but if the matter require it, and that you judge it more convenient to take the whole proposition, than Subject and predicate apart by themselves, you may in that manner run through all the heads of Invention, but stay not too long upon any one, for if matter offer not it self in one head go to another, for every head perhaps may not afford matter,
CHAP. II
Of Invention. An Introduction to the Art of Rhetorick | ||