AP Seminar Glossary

Question 1

Alignment

Answer 1

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

Question 2

argument

Answer 2

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

Question 3

assumption

Answer 3

a belief regarded as true and often unstated

Question 4

author

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

bias

Answer 5

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

Question 6

claim

Answer 6

a statement made about an issue that asserts a perspective

Question 7

commentary

Answer 7

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

Question 8

complex issue

Answer 8

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

Question 9

concession

Answer 9

acknowledgement and acceptance of an opposing or different view

Question 10

conclusion

Answer 10

understanding resulting from analysis of evidence

Question 11

context

Answer 11

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

Question 12

conventions

Answer 12

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

Question 13

counterargument

Answer 13

an opposing perspective, idea, or theory supported by evidence

Question 14

credibility

Answer 14

the degree to which a source is believable and trustworthy

Question 15

cross-curricular

Answer 15

goes beyond the traditional boundary of a single content area or discipline

Question 16

deductive

Answer 16

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

Question 17

evidence

Answer 17

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

Question 18

fallacy

Answer 18

evidence or reasoning that is false or in error

Question 19

generative artificial intelligence

Answer 19

tools that use predictive technology to produce new text, charts, images, audio, video, etc.

Question 20

implication

Answer 20

a possible future effect or result

Question 21

inductive

Answer 21

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

Question 22

inquiry

Answer 22

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

Question 23

interdisciplinary

Answer 23

involving two or more areas of knowledge

Question 24

issue

Answer 24

important problem fro debate or discussion

Question 25

lens

Answer 25

filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined

Question 26

limitation

Answer 26

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

Question 27

line of reasoning

Answer 27

arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion

Question 28

literature

Answer 28

the foundational and current texts of a field or discipline of study

Question 29

perspective

Answer 29

a point of view conveyed through an argument

Question 30

plagiarism

Answer 30

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

Question 31

point of view

Answer 31

a position or standpoint on a topic or issue

Question 32

primary source

Answer 32

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

Question 33

qualification

Answer 33

a condition or exception

Question 34

qualitative

Answer 34

having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions

Question 35

quantitative

Answer 35

having to do with numbers, amounts, and quantities

Question 36

rebuttal

Answer 36

contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate, more convincing evidence

Question 37

refutation

Answer 37

disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims or counter evidence

Question 38

reliability

Answer 38

the extent to which something can be trusted to be accurate

Question 39

resolution

Answer 39

the act of solving a problem or dispute

Question 40

scaffolding

Answer 40

the provision of temporary structured support fro students to aid skill development

Question 41

secondary source

Answer 41

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

Question 42

sequencing

Answer 42

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

Question 43

solution

Answer 43

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

Question 45

tone

Answer 45

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

Question 45

text

Answer 45

something composed that conveys a perspective and can be examined

Question 46

thesis

Answer 46

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

Question 46

validity

Answer 46

the extent to which an argument or claim is logical