AP seminar vocab

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 one’s judgement, perspective or claim

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 endeavour/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a boundary or point at which an argument or generalisation is no longer valid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 counterevidence

reliability

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 answer 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 performances) 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 emphasise ideas, convey emotion or opinion or achieve other specific purposes

performance task 1

20%

team project & presentation

individual research report (50% of 20%)

team multimedia & defense (50% of 20%)

performance task 2

35%
Individual Written Argument (IWA) (70% of 35%)

Individual Multimedia Presentation (TMP) (20% of 35%)

Oral defense (10% of 35%)

end of course exam

45%

part A: 30 minutes, 3 questions (30% of 45%)

part B: 90 minutes, synthesis essay (70% of 45%)

cultural and social lens

focuses on identity, culture and social structures influence an issue

political & historical lens

examines power, governance and historical context 

legal lens

analyses laws, policies and legal responsibilities connected to the issue

environmental lens 

explores the impact of the issue on the natural world and ecological systems 

economic lens

focuses on money, resources and economic systems

scientific and/or medical lens

looks at evidence-based reasoning, scientific understanding and health-related impacts

ethical lens 

explores questions of right and wrong, fairness and moral responsibility 

tier 1 source

most credible

peer-reviewed academic journals, books

tier 2 source

specialised publications, government sources

tier 3 source 

newspapers, reputable organisations

tier 4 source

popular magazines, popular media

tier 5 source 

wikipedia, social media, blogs, general sites 

CRAAP is used to evaluate ___

sources

RAVEN is used to evaluate ___

authors

CRAAP - Currency 

the timeliness of the information 

CRAAP - Relevance

the importance if the information for your needs

CRAAP - Authority 

how credible is the source of the information 

CRAAP - Accuracy 

the reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content 

CRAAP - Purpose

the reason the information exists

RAVEN - Reputation

what are the reputation of the authors, the sources and the publication? reliable? position of authority?

RAVEN - Ability to Observe

is the author in a position that allows access to reliable evidence?

RAVEN - Vested Interest 

does the author have personal stake in the topic or event? would the author gain anything by lying? potential for vested interest?

RAVEN - Expertise 

does the author have specialised knowledge on the topic or event? what about the evidence?

RAVEN - Neutrality

is the author neutral about the issue or is bias evident? what about the evidence?

how to write a thesis

context

specific

SO WHAT?

solution - if any