Seminar Terms

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

assertion

Answer 3

a categorical statement which generalizes an opinion about human nature (a specific group of people and a trait that they possess)

Question 4

assumption

Answer 4

a belief regarded as true and often unstated

Question 5

author

Answer 5

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 6

bias

Answer 6

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

Question 7

claim

Answer 7

a statement made about an issue that asserts a perspective

Question 8

commentary

Answer 8

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

Question 9

complex issue

Answer 9

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

Question 10

concession

Answer 10

acknowledgment and acceptance of an opposing or different view `

Question 11

conclusion

Answer 11

understanding resulting from analysis of evidence

Question 12

context

Answer 12

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

Question 13

conventions

Answer 13

the stylistic features of writing (ex grammar, usage, mechanics)

Question 14

counterargument

Answer 14

an opposing perspective, idea, or theory supported by evidence

Question 15

credibility

Answer 15

the degree to which a source is believable and trustworthy

Question 16

cross-curricular

Answer 16

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

Question 17

deductive

Answer 17

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

Question 18

evidence

Answer 18

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

Question 19

fallacy

Answer 19

evidence or reasoning that is false or in error implication-a possible future effect or result

Question 20

inductive

Answer 20

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

Question 21

inquiry

Answer 21

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

Question 22

interdisciplinary

Answer 22

involving two or more areas of knowledge

Question 23

issue

Answer 23

important problem for debate or discussion

Question 24

lens

Answer 24

filter through which an issue or topic is considered or examined

Question 25

limitation

Answer 25

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

Question 26

line of reasoning

Answer 26

arrangement of claims and evidence that leads to a conclusion

Question 27

literature

Answer 27

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

Question 28

perspective

Answer 28

a point of view conveyed through an argument

Question 29

plagiarism

Answer 29

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

Question 30

point of view

Answer 30

a position or standpoint on a topic or issue

Question 31

primary source

Answer 31

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

Question 32

qualification

Answer 32

a condition or exception

Question 33

qualitative

Answer 33

having to do with text, narrative, or descriptions

Question 34

quantitative

Answer 34

having to do with numbers, amounts, or quantities

Question 35

rebuttal

Answer 35

contradicting an opposing perspective by providing alternate, more convincing evidence

Question 36

refutation

Answer 36

disproving an opposing perspective by providing counterclaims or counterevidence

Question 37

reliability

Answer 37

the extent to which something can be trusted to be accurate

Question 38

resolution

Answer 38

the act of solving a problem or dispute

Question 39

scaffolding

Answer 39

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

Question 40

secondary source

Answer 40

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

Question 41

sequencing

Answer 41

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

Question 42

solution

Answer 42

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

Question 43

text

Answer 43

something composed (ex 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

Question 44

thesis

Answer 44

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

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 46

validity

Answer 46

the extent to which an argument or claim is logical

Question 47

vocal variety

Answer 47

changing vocal characteristics (ex pitch, volume, speed) in order to emphasize ideas, convey emotion or opinion, or achieve other specific purposes