At my grammar school we were given blank notebooks for different subjects. We had to write our name and the name of the subject on the front of each. The thickest notebook we were given was a blue covered one, we called it the Commonplace book. I'd never heard of this term before, (or indeed, since) school. But we put everything in these books: reminders of what books to bring in to school the next day; details of homework assignments; lists of foods needed for the next cookery class; dates of sports events; etc, etc. We were allowed to decorate the covers of these particular notebooks; it was the late 60s/early 70s so mine had psychedelic designs. Felt tip pens had only just been invented and I went to town with them!! Happy days.
This is fascinating for me to read about. During the first 10 years I spent researching commonplace books there was a general belief that commonplace books had died out after the Renaissance. Now, there's a scholarly consensus that they continued through the 19th-century and into today. So it makes me exceedingly happy to know that people like you were still taught with commonplace books!
OMG I feel ancient! I wish I'd kept some of these notebooks, though, because they became friends during the school year. They bulged with rough notes and ideas.
I remember doing this too but we didn’t call it that. I remember a Trapper Keeper that had each subject and what we had to remember to do, bring in, study.
Brilliant article. I love anything linguistically-focussed! I would have participated in the CBC, all of my writing since October has been dedicated to finishing a novel. Unfortunately, between that and my English teaching responsibilities, there just isn't the time. Maybe next time around? I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of everyone's labours.
I completely understand. I know what it's like to be immersed in a writing project. I'd love to have you participate in the CBC whenever you have the time!
This it so interesting how the word evolved. I first learned of Memory Palaces from Joshua Foer’s book, “Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything.” As an architect, I can very easily walk around spaces and places in my head…even ones never seen. So it is fascinating to learn how the ancients used this as a memory technique.
It's so interesting to know that you are an architect. It probably doesn't completely explain your beautiful commonplace book pages, but it makes sense that you'd have such an eye for design.
What an insightful article Jillian. I really appreciated the history of common places as Aristotle thought of them, not just as objects but as arguments tied to locations. I have been thinking about how to teach memory techniques to use in projects and discussions for my kids’ education. This inspired a few ideas. I think we’re going to discuss over a walk soon. Thank you.
Millenniums have passed and we still have things to learn from the ancients! Great explanation. Impressive to us how in antiquity thinkers and orators could make speeches and complex arguments without notes at hand. "Common Place" techniques: no longer common but still extremely valuable.
Agreed! I'm very grateful for literacy and readily available pen and paper, but it does weaken our memory since we don't rely on it as much as the ancients did. This is also something the ancients understood and worried over.
My weakened memory has made me so dependent on writing everything down. I'm amazed the orators could make speeches without notes. I'm going to chew on this piece quite a while in order to really grasp the concept of "Common Place" book. It is still a bit fuzzy to me. Going to review the "Common Place" vs "Commonplace." I have so many many notebooks and am having a difficult time determining which one is my "Common Place" book. LOL
Ahh- that makes sense! It’s so interesting looking back to where/ how customs evolve. Thanks so much for this fascinating article: it’s timely for me. I am about to start my first commonplace book- new journal hot in my hands since yesterday. Today will be busy!
The idea of common 'place' is fascinating for me as an architect and urban researcher where our discourses are often linked to space and place. The idea of a thought or a book as a place, therefore, gives a whole new perspective.
Also, the idea of a commonplace book takes me back to my childhood without internet when collecting quotes in notebooks was such a fun activity. Thanks for writing this piece, Jillian :)
I guess a good idea is able to adapt with the times, even to newer ideas! It probably helps that the Renaissance masters were all taught logic and debate skills using the older texts too.
The burning question for me now though, is what did they do with those quotes used in their arguments? Did they file those away in their memory palaces, in rooms close to the themes they supported, or were those quotes kept elsewhere for general use?
Thank you for sharing such an interesting insight into the origin of common places, and the books that eventually ensued.
Do you mean people in the Renaissance? They stored the quotes in commonplace books. If you're asking about the ancients, then I'm not sure--it's a great question, and I'd love to know the answer too.
Catching up on your Newsletter. Belated congratulations on your journey to write a book.
It is always tempting to try to learn more about things people LIKE YOU raise "commonplace". This was a great article and has me wanting to learn more.
At my grammar school we were given blank notebooks for different subjects. We had to write our name and the name of the subject on the front of each. The thickest notebook we were given was a blue covered one, we called it the Commonplace book. I'd never heard of this term before, (or indeed, since) school. But we put everything in these books: reminders of what books to bring in to school the next day; details of homework assignments; lists of foods needed for the next cookery class; dates of sports events; etc, etc. We were allowed to decorate the covers of these particular notebooks; it was the late 60s/early 70s so mine had psychedelic designs. Felt tip pens had only just been invented and I went to town with them!! Happy days.
This is fascinating for me to read about. During the first 10 years I spent researching commonplace books there was a general belief that commonplace books had died out after the Renaissance. Now, there's a scholarly consensus that they continued through the 19th-century and into today. So it makes me exceedingly happy to know that people like you were still taught with commonplace books!
OMG I feel ancient! I wish I'd kept some of these notebooks, though, because they became friends during the school year. They bulged with rough notes and ideas.
I remember doing this too but we didn’t call it that. I remember a Trapper Keeper that had each subject and what we had to remember to do, bring in, study.
That’s fascinating. Never heard of this before.
Brilliant article. I love anything linguistically-focussed! I would have participated in the CBC, all of my writing since October has been dedicated to finishing a novel. Unfortunately, between that and my English teaching responsibilities, there just isn't the time. Maybe next time around? I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of everyone's labours.
I completely understand. I know what it's like to be immersed in a writing project. I'd love to have you participate in the CBC whenever you have the time!
Jillian! Only you can make Latin cool again and validate my high school language class choice.
You took Latin too?! How cool!
This it so interesting how the word evolved. I first learned of Memory Palaces from Joshua Foer’s book, “Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything.” As an architect, I can very easily walk around spaces and places in my head…even ones never seen. So it is fascinating to learn how the ancients used this as a memory technique.
It's so interesting to know that you are an architect. It probably doesn't completely explain your beautiful commonplace book pages, but it makes sense that you'd have such an eye for design.
My trusty old-school Composition book is where I record my thoughts and quotes from all my little daily readings. I add something every day…
You must have accumulated quite a treasure trove in those composition notebooks!
For sure!
What a revealing and clearly explanatory post!
I could not learn this from Roland Allen's "A History of thinking on Paper", even from the chapter on common-place books.
Common place as a noun, a rethoric tool, makes perfect sense.
Thank you!
It's a really complicated concept. So glad that my explanation made sense to you!
What an insightful article Jillian. I really appreciated the history of common places as Aristotle thought of them, not just as objects but as arguments tied to locations. I have been thinking about how to teach memory techniques to use in projects and discussions for my kids’ education. This inspired a few ideas. I think we’re going to discuss over a walk soon. Thank you.
Thanks, Latham. Your kids are lucky to be learning memory techniques so young!
I’m not sure they’d always agree. But it is the benefit of homeschooling
Millenniums have passed and we still have things to learn from the ancients! Great explanation. Impressive to us how in antiquity thinkers and orators could make speeches and complex arguments without notes at hand. "Common Place" techniques: no longer common but still extremely valuable.
Agreed! I'm very grateful for literacy and readily available pen and paper, but it does weaken our memory since we don't rely on it as much as the ancients did. This is also something the ancients understood and worried over.
My weakened memory has made me so dependent on writing everything down. I'm amazed the orators could make speeches without notes. I'm going to chew on this piece quite a while in order to really grasp the concept of "Common Place" book. It is still a bit fuzzy to me. Going to review the "Common Place" vs "Commonplace." I have so many many notebooks and am having a difficult time determining which one is my "Common Place" book. LOL
It's taken me a long time to fully wrap my mind around rhetorical commonplaces!
Ahh- that makes sense! It’s so interesting looking back to where/ how customs evolve. Thanks so much for this fascinating article: it’s timely for me. I am about to start my first commonplace book- new journal hot in my hands since yesterday. Today will be busy!
Congratulations on starting your first commonplace book! Maybe you'll join our next commonplace book club :)
I absolutely would!
The idea of common 'place' is fascinating for me as an architect and urban researcher where our discourses are often linked to space and place. The idea of a thought or a book as a place, therefore, gives a whole new perspective.
Also, the idea of a commonplace book takes me back to my childhood without internet when collecting quotes in notebooks was such a fun activity. Thanks for writing this piece, Jillian :)
Oh, yes! I imagine you can draw so many rich connections between the idea of common places and your work in real physical places.
This is really interesting. I like learning abt what words mean, parts of words, and the Latin etc
Thanks, Abigail!
Wow, I never thought of the relationship between rhetorical topoi and commonplace books! Thanks for enlightening me :)
You're welcome!
I guess a good idea is able to adapt with the times, even to newer ideas! It probably helps that the Renaissance masters were all taught logic and debate skills using the older texts too.
The burning question for me now though, is what did they do with those quotes used in their arguments? Did they file those away in their memory palaces, in rooms close to the themes they supported, or were those quotes kept elsewhere for general use?
Thank you for sharing such an interesting insight into the origin of common places, and the books that eventually ensued.
Do you mean people in the Renaissance? They stored the quotes in commonplace books. If you're asking about the ancients, then I'm not sure--it's a great question, and I'd love to know the answer too.
Oh definitely the ancients… I was envisioning them storing scrolls or tablets 😂 which seems unlikely, but definitely makes you wonder!
Catching up on your Newsletter. Belated congratulations on your journey to write a book.
It is always tempting to try to learn more about things people LIKE YOU raise "commonplace". This was a great article and has me wanting to learn more.
Thanks, Mark!!