The Common Topoi and Tagmemic Questions
Published on November 11th, 2009
Use the common topoi and tagmemic questions to stimulate your creative abilities.
| Particle | What is it? What are the unique features of the subject? | Example: What were the unique achievements of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission? |
| Contrast | How is the subject similar to or different from other members of its class? | Example: What did the Apollo 11 mission accomplish that previous or subsequent missions did not? |
| Variation | How much can a subject vary, and how can it vary over time without losing its essential nature? | Example: What facts does NASA or a conspiracy theorist present as evidence? |
| Distribution | How can you observe the subject? How often can you observe it? | Example: What pictures, video, or physical evidence do we have regarding Apollo 11? |
| Wave | How will the subject change over time? How is the subject changing over time? | Example: How have interpretations of Apollo 11 evolved? What conspiracy theories have been raised since 1969? |
| Field | What’s the larger, systems view? In other words, how do the parts of your subject relate to one another? How does your subject relate to other subjects? | Example: Many web sites and television shows have argued that the Apollo mission was a hoax. contWhy is that? What science was required to carry off the lunar landing and what evidence does NASA have to prove the Apollo mission? |