Untitled Flashcard Set

AP Seminar Key Terms

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 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: an understanding 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. 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Limitation: a boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid Line of reasoning: arrangement of claims and evidence that lead to a conclusion Literature: the foundational and current texts of a field or discipline of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: 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)

Qualification: a condition or exception

Qualitative: having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions

Rebuttal: contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate, more convincing evidence 5

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 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 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