AP Sem- 1st Vocab Test

AP Sem. VOCAB

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, and 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. 

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. 

Deductive Reasoning

A type of reasoning that constructs general propositions that are supported with evidence or cases. (General Principle → Special Case)

Ethos

Appeal of speaker or writer to his/her own credibility. 

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 Reasoning

A type of reasoning that presents cases or evidence that lead to a logical conclusion. (Special Case → General Principle)

Inquiry

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

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 A boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid.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

Logos

 Appeal to logic 

Pathos

Appeal to emotion 

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).

Qualitative Data

Having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions. 

Quantitative Data

 Having to do with numbers, amounts or quantities. 

Rebuttal

Contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate, more convincing evidence.

Reliability

The extent to which something is accurate. 

Resolution

An understanding about an issue that could potentially lead to new solutions or that could help mitigate the consequences of the issue. 

Secondary Source

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

Solution

An action-based set of ideas, founded upon evidence, that could help solve the problem.

Thesis

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

Validity

The extent to which an argument or claim is logical.