Summer Vocab

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 - an 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 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 by evidence or cases

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 - 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Limitation - a boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid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 a topic or issue

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

Qualify/Qualification - to define the parameters or limitations of an idea; a condition or exception

Qualitative - having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions 32. 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

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

Solution - a means of answer 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

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