AP Seminar Glossary

Alignment

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

Argument

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

Assumption

a belief regarded as true and often unstated

Author

the 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 the resulting from the 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

Evidence

information (e.g. data, quotations, excerpts from text) 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 endeavor/work

Interdisciplinary

involving two or more areas of knowledge

Issue

important problem for debate or discussion

Lens

a 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a boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid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 lead to a conclusion

Literature

the foundational and current texts of a field or discipline of study

Perspective

a point of view conveyed through 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

Rebuttal

contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternative, more convincing evidence

Refutation

disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims and counterevidence

Reliability

the extent to which something can be trusted to be accurate

Resolution

the act of solving a problem or dispute

Scaffolding

the provision of temporary structured support for students to aid skill development

Secondary source

a commentary about one or more primary sources that provides additional insight, opinions, and/or interpretations about the primary source, data, study, or artifacts

Sequencing

the organization of curriculum content into an order which progresses from simple to more complex

Solution

a means of answering 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 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 emphasize ideas, convey emotion or opinion, or achieve other specific purposes