AP Seminar Terms

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.

Evidence

Data or observations that support the claim.

Implication

Usually used in the plural, are effects or consequences that may happen in the future. (an unintended / intended consequence / result)

Signpost Words

Transition words used to guide the reader through the argument.

Lens

Filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined (environmental, ethical, cultural / social, futuristic, scientific, artistic / philosophical, economic, political / historical, etc.)

Primary Source

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

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

Plagiarism

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

Relevance

The extent to which something is closely connected or appropriate

Validity

The extent to which an argument or claim is logical, applicable

Reasoning

An explanation of how and why the evidence supports the claim

Qualitative

Research having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions

Quantitative

Research having to do with numbers, amounts, or quantities

Thesis

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

Line of Reasoning

Arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion

Rebuttal

Contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate, more convincing evidence

Perspective

Also called stakeholder, a point of view conveyed through an argument

Solution

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

Resolution

The act of solving a problem or dispute

Limitation

A boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid ("to what extent")

Qualification

A condition or exception

Tone

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

Credibility

The quality of being trusted and believed in, can be trusted to be accurate