AP Seminar EoY Assessment Review

Thesis

A central idea or argument that a writer or speaker intends to support and prove.

Counterargument

An opposing viewpoint or objection to the thesis or main argument.

Rebuttal

A response that disproves or weakens the counterargument.

Implication

The possible result, consequence, or significance of a claim or argument.

Plagiarism

Using someone else’s work or ideas without giving credit.

Conventions

Accepted rules or norms for writing, grammar, formatting, or genre expectations.

Inquiry

The process of asking questions to explore, investigate, or analyze a topic.

Issue

A point of debate, disagreement, or concern within a topic or discussion.

Limitation

A weakness or constraint that affects the scope, accuracy, or generalizability of a study or argument.

Reliability

Consistency of results over time or across different measures.

Validity

Accuracy in measuring what is intended to be measured.

Commentary

Explanation or analysis that links evidence to the argument or claim being made.

Argument

A set of claims supported by evidence and reasoning to persuade or inform.

Context

The background, environment, or circumstances surrounding a topic or event.

Biases

Prejudices or leanings that affect objectivity.

Primary sources

Original, firsthand materials (e.g., letters, interviews).

Quantitative data

Numerical information used for statistical analysis (e.g., percentages, measurements).

Fallacy

A flawed argument or error in reasoning that weakens logic.

Secondary sources

Interpretations or analyses of primary sources.

Credibility

The trustworthiness or believability of a source.

Evidence

Facts or details that support a claim or argument.

Qualitative data

Descriptive, non-numerical information (e.g., interviews, observations, themes).

Conclusion

The final judgment or summary of an argument.

Solution

A proposed answer to a problem or issue.

Logos

Persuasion using logic or reason.

Ethos

Persuasion based on credibility or character.

Pathos

Persuasion appealing to emotions.

Deductive reasoning

Drawing a specific conclusion from a general principle or premise.

Inductive reasoning

Forming a generalization based on specific observations or cases.

Claim

A statement or assertion that is argued as true.

Lens

A specific perspective used to examine a topic (e.g., historical, feminist).

Point of View

The position or angle from which something is observed.

Perspective

A particular attitude or way of thinking about something.

Line of reasoning

The logical sequence connecting claims, evidence, and conclusions in an argument.