AP SEMINAR VOCABULARY

Question 1

The arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion.

Answer 1

line of reasoning

Question 2

Filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined.

Answer 2

lens

Question 3

Important problem for debate or discussion.

Answer 3

issue

Question 4

Involving two or more areas of knowledge.

Answer 4

interdisciplinary

Question 5

A possible future effect or result.

Answer 5

implication

Question 6

Evidence or reasoning that is false or in error.

Answer 6

fallacy

Question 7

Information (e.g. data, quotations, excerpts from texts) used as proof to support a claim or thesis.

Answer 7

evidence

Question 8

A boundary or point at which an argument or generalization is no longer valid.

Answer 8

limitation

Question 9

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

Answer 9

inquiry

Question 10

A type of reasoning that presents cases or evidence that lead to a logical conclusion.

Answer 10

inductive

Question 11

A type of reasoning that constructs general propositions that are supported with evidence or cases.

Answer 11

deductive

Question 12

Goes beyond the traditional boundary of a single content area or discipline.

Answer 12

cross-curricular

Question 13

The degree to which a source is believable or trustworthy.

Answer 13

credibility

Question 14

An opposing perspective, idea, or theory supported by evidence.

Answer 14

counterargument

Question 15

The stylistic features of writing (e.g. grammar, usage, mechanics).

Answer 15

conventions

Question 16

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

Answer 16

context

Question 17

Understanding resulting from analysis of evidence.

Answer 17

conclusion

Question 18

Acknowledgement and acceptance of an opposing or different view.

Answer 18

concession

Question 19

Issue involving many facets or perspectives that must be understood in order to address it.

Answer 19

complex issue

Question 20

Discussion and analysis of evidence in relation to the claim which may identify patterns, describe trends, and/or explain relationships.

Answer 20

commentary

Question 21

A statement made about an issue that asserts a perspective.

Answer 21

claim

Question 22

A personal opinion, belief, or value that may influence one’s judgement, perspective, or claim.

Answer 22

bias

Question 23

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.

Answer 23

author

Question 24

A belief regarded as true and often unstated.

Answer 24

assumption

Question 25

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

Answer 25

argument

Question 26

Cohesion between the focus of an inquiry, the method of collecting information, the process of analysis of the information, and the conclusions made to increase understanding of that focus.

Answer 26

alignment

Question 27

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

Answer 27

literature

Question 28

A point of view conveyed through an argument.

Answer 28

perspective

Question 29

Failure to acknowledge, attribute, and/or cite any ideas or evidence taken from another source.

Answer 29

plagiarism

Question 30

A position or standpoint on a topic or issue.

Answer 30

point of view

Question 31

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

Answer 31

primary source

Question 32

A condition or exception.

Answer 32

qualification

Question 33

Having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions.

Answer 33

qualitative

Question 34

Having to do with numbers, amounts, or quantities.

Answer 34

quantitative

Question 35

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

Answer 35

rebuttal

Question 36

Disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims and counterevidence.

Answer 36

refutation

Question 37

The extent to which something can be trusted to be accurate.

Answer 37

reliability

Question 38

The act of solving a problem or dispute.

Answer 38

resolution

Question 39

The provision of temporary structured support for students to aid skill development.

Answer 39

scaffolding

Question 40

A commentary about one or more primary sources that provides additional insight, opinions, and/or interpretation about the primary source data, study, or artifacts.

Answer 40

secondary source

Question 41

The organization of curriculum content into an order which progresses from simple to more complex.

Answer 41

sequencing

Question 42

A means to answering a question or addressing a problem or issue.

Answer 42

solution

Question 43

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.

Answer 43

text

Question 44

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

Answer 44

thesis

Question 45

The way in which an author expresses an attitude about his or her topic or subject through rhetorical choices.

Answer 45

tone

Question 46

The extent to which an argument or claim is logical.

Answer 46

validity

Question 47

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

Answer 47

vocal variety