AP Seminar Basic Terms

claim

a statement made about an issue that asserts a perspective

Thesis

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

argument

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

line of reasoning

arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion

lens

filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined

perspective

a point of view conveyed through an argument

point of view

A position or standpoint on a topic or issue

issue

important problem for debate or discussion

resolution

the act of solving a problem or dispute

assumption

A belief regarded as true and often unstated

context

The intent, audience, purpose, bias, situatedness and/or background ( larger environment) of a source or reference

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

inquiry

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

qualitative

having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions

Quantitative

having to do with numbers, amounts, or quantities

reliability

The extent to which something can be trusted to be accurate

validity

The extent to which an argument or claim is logical

concession

Acknowledgment and acceptance of an opposing or different view

conclusion

Understanding resulting from analysis of evidence

solution

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

implication

a possible future effect or result

Limitation

A boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid

text

Something composed (articles, speeches, broadcasts, artistic works, performances) that conveys a perspective and can be examined

rebuttal

Contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate more convincing evidence

Refutation

Disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims or counter evidence.