AP Seminar Glossary

argument

a claim or thesis that conveys a perspective developed through a line of reasoning and supported by evidence

assumption

a belief regarded as true and often unstated

author

one who creates a work (e.g., article; research study; foundational, literary, or philosophical text; speech, broadcast, or personal account; artistic work or performance) that conveys a perspective and can be examined

bias

a personal opinion, belief, or value that may influence ones judgment

claim

a statement made about an issue that asserts a perspective

commentary

discussion and analysis of evidence in relation to the claim which may identify patterns, describe trends, and /or explain relationships

complex issue

issue involving many facets or perspectives that must be understood in order to address it

concession

acknowledgement and acceptance of an opposing or different view

conclusion

understanding resulting from analysis of evidence

context

the intent, audience, purpose, bias, situatedness, and/or background (larger environment) of a source or reference

conventions

the stylistic features of writing (e.g., grammar, usage, mechanics)

counterargument

an opposing perspective, idea, or theory supported by evidence

credibility

the degree to which a source is believable and trustworthy

cross-curricular

goes beyond the traditional boundary of a single content area or discipline

deductive

a type of reasoning that constructs general propositions that are supported with evidence or cases

evidence

information (e.g., data, quotations, excerpts from texts) used as proof to support a claim or thesis

fallacy

evidence or reasoning that is false or in error

implication

a possible future effect or result

inductive

a type of reasoning that presents cases or evidence that lead to a logical conclusion

inquiry

a process for seeking truth, information, or knowledge through a study, research investigation, or artistic endeavor/work

interdisciplinary

involving two or more areas of knowledge

issue

important problem for debate or discussion

lens

filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined

limitation

a boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid

line of reasoning

arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion

literature

the foundational and current texts of a field or discipline of study

perspective

a point of view conveyed through an argument

plagiarism

failure to acknowledge, attribute, and/or cite any ideas or evidence taken from another source

point of view

a position or standpoint on a topic or issue

primary source

an original source of information about a topic (e.g., study, artifact, data, set, interview, article)

qualification

a condition or exception

qualitative

having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions

quantitative

having to do with numbers, amounts, or quantities

rebuttal

contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate, more convincing evidence

refutation

disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims or conterevidence

reliablity

the extent to which something can be trusted to be accurate

resolution

the act of solving a problem or dispute

secondary source

a commentary about one or more primary sources that provides additional insight, opinions, and/or interpretation about the primary source data, study, or artifacts

solution

a means of answering a question or addressing a problem or issue

text

something composed (e.g., articles; research studies; foundational literary, and philosophical texts; speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; artistic works and performance) that conveys a perspective and can be examined

thesis

a claim or position on an issue or topic put forward and supported by evidence

tone

the way in which an author expresses an attitude about his or her topic or subject through rhetorical choices

validity

the extent to which an argument or claim is logical

vocal variety

changing vocal characteristics (e.g., pitch, volume, speed) in order to emphasize ideas, convey emotion or opinion, or achieve other specific purposes

CRAAP

currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, purpose

Lenses (FEES & PEAS)

futuristic, environmental, economic, scientific, political, ethical, artistic, social

OPTIC

overview, parts (pieces), title/text, interrelationship, conclusion

PT1

performance task 1

PT2

performance task 2

SMART RQs

specific, measurable, arguable, researchable, timely research questions

IRR

individual research report

IWA

individual written argument

QUEST

question and explore, understand and analyze, evaluate multiple perspectives, synthesize ideas, team/transform/transmit

IMP

individual multimedia presentation

TMP

team multimedia presentation

IRR (definition)

Individually, students investigate their assigned approach, perspectvies, or lens on the issue or topic of the team research question

IMP (definition)

Each student develops a 6-8 minute presentation to convey their perspective and present their conclusions from their individual written argument

TMP (definiton)

Working collaboratively, the group considers all of the research and analyses from individual team members for the purpose of proposing one or more solutions or resolutions

RAVEN (definition)

Componenets reviewed by the tool: What is the reputation of the author? Reputation of thhe publication? Does the author have specialized knowledge on the topic or event? Does the evidence come from a source that has experitise on the topic or event?

When you evaluate the credibility of a piece using the authors reputation, ability to observe, vested interest, experitse, nuetrality.

OPTIC (definition)

simple method of rhetorical criticism designed to help with the process of analyzing visuals

QUEST: E

From whos perspecitve is this information being presented and how does that affect my evaluation?

QUEST: U

How do I determine if a source is trustworthy?

QUEST: S

Comparing others ideas with ones own in order to form the foundation of a well reasoned argument

Tier 1

peer reviewed academic journals, books

Tier 2

Specialized publications, government sources

Tier 3

Newspapers, reputable organizations

Tier 4

popular magazines, popular media

Tier 5

Wikipedia, social media, blogs, general sites

IRR Rubric Row 1

Understand and Analyze Context

IRR Rubric Row 2

Understand and Analyze Argument

IRR Rubric Row 3

Evaluate Sources and Evidence

IRR Rubric Row 4

Understand and Analyze Perspecitve

IRR Rubric Row 5&6

Apply Conventions (5-Bibliography, 6-Writing)

SMART

Specific, Measurable, Arguable, Researchable, Timely