Unit 2 Flashcards AP Lang

  1. Thesis: A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved. It serves as the foundation for an argument.

  2. Assertion: A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. It is a declaration made without explicit proof, often at the beginning of an argument.

  3. Thesis Statement: A short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay. It guides the reader on what the paper will be about.

  4. Closed Thesis: A type of thesis statement that explicitly lists the main points the writer plans to make in an essay. It offers a clear roadmap of the argument's structure.

  5. Open Thesis: A thesis statement that does not list all the specific points the writer plans to cover. It presents the main idea without getting into detailed supporting points, allowing for broader development.

  6. Counter Argument Thesis: A thesis that includes a summary of the opposing viewpoint before presenting the writer's own argument. This type acknowledges and then refutes dissenting opinions.

  7. Claim of Fact: An assertion that states something is true or not true. These claims are often verifiable with objective data or evidence.

  8. Claim of Value: An assertion that argues something is good or bad, right or wrong, or desirable or undesirable. These claims are based on subjective judgments and criteria.

  9. Claim of Policy: An assertion that proposes a change or a course of action. It typically argues that something should or should not be done.

  10. Counterclaim: A claim made to rebut a previous claim. It represents an opposing argument or assertion against the main point.

  11. Sub-Claim: A claim that supports a larger, overarching main claim or thesis. It provides specific arguments or evidence to bolster the primary argument.

  12. Counterargument: An argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. It addresses the opposing side's perspective.

  13. Concession: An acknowledgment that an opposing argument is valid or true. It involves admitting a point in an argument that works against one's own position.

  14. Refutation: The action of proving a statement or theory to be wrong or false. It involves disproving an opposing argument with evidence and reasoning.