AP Seminar Terminology

alignment

Cohesion between the focus of an
inquiry, the method of collecting information, the
process of analysis of the information, and the
conclusions made to increase understanding of that focus

Argument

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

bias

A personal opinion, belief, or value that may
influence one’s judgment, perspective, or claim

attribution

acknowledgment of the source of
information, usually in the form of a citation

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

Acknowledgment 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

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 resulteor result

inquiry

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

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argument or generalization is no longer valid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

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)

rebuttal

Contradicting an opposing perspective by
providing alternate, more convincing evidence

reliability

The extent to which something can be
trusted to be accurate

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

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