AP Seminar Glossary

Alignment

Cohesion between the focus of an inquiry, the method of collecting information, the process of anyalysis 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.

Assumption

A belief regarded as true and often unstated.

Author

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 judgment, 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

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 envioronment) 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 trustworthly.

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 it with evidence or cases.

Evidence

Information (e.g., data, quotations, excerpts from texts) used as proof to support with evidence or cases.

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

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A boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid.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

Literature

The foundational and current texts of a field or discipline of study.

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 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.

Quantitative

Having to do with numbers, amounts, or quantities.

Rebuttal

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

Refutation

Disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims or 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 interpretation 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 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.

Vocal variety

Changing vocal characteristics (e.g., pitch, volume, speed) in order to emphasize ideas, convey emotion or opinion, or achieve other specific purposes.