Refining Perspectives (College Board AP® English Language & Composition): Flashcards
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Define working thesis.
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Cards in this collection (24)
Define working thesis.
A working thesis is a preliminary thesis that states the writer's current position and may change as the argument, evidence and reasoning develop.
What problems might testing a first thesis against evidence reveal?
Testing a first thesis may reveal that it is too broad, too absolute, missing an important condition or exception, supported for a different reason or contradicted by strong evidence.
Define revision of a claim.
Revision is changing a claim or line of reasoning when the evidence no longer supports the argument in its original form.
True or False?
When a writer substantially changes a thesis, the supporting reasons can stay exactly as they were.
False.
Revising a claim also leads to revising the line of reasoning, so the supporting reasons must prove the new version of the claim.
Define contradictory evidence.
Contradictory evidence is evidence that conflicts with or challenges a claim or part of an argument.
True or False?
New evidence automatically requires a new thesis.
False.
New evidence does not automatically require a new thesis. First, determine what part of the argument the evidence affects.
How might a writer respond to evidence that adds an exception or condition to the thesis?
A writer might respond to evidence that adds an exception or condition by qualifying or refining the thesis.
How might a writer respond to evidence that weakens one supporting reason?
A writer might respond by revisiting that part of the line of reasoning.
When evidence supports the thesis for a different reason than expected, the writer may need to ________ the line of reasoning.
When evidence supports the thesis for a different reason than expected, the writer may need to reorganize the line of reasoning.
How might a writer respond to evidence that seriously challenges the central position?
A writer might respond by revising or reconsidering the thesis.
What is the pressure point in an argument facing contradictory evidence?
The pressure point is exactly what part of the claim the evidence challenges, such as an absolute word, the scope of the claim, one supporting reason, an unstated assumption or the central position.
True or False?
When evidence complicates an argument, the goal is to defend your first thesis at all costs.
False.
The goal is to make the claim accurately reflect the evidence, neither defending the first thesis at all costs nor abandoning it at the first complication.
Define refinement.
Refinement is making a claim or perspective more precise while keeping its central position.
True or False?
In AP Lang, a writer's tone is best described simply as positive or negative.
False.
Tone is often more precise than positive or negative. A writer may sound "cautiously optimistic" or "respectfully critical".
What tone might the word "bizarre" suggest, compared with the more neutral "unusual"?
Because "bizarre" has a negative connotation, it suggests a dismissive or skeptical tone, while "unusual" suggests a measured tone.
True or False?
Readers usually decide on a writer's tone from a single word.
False.
Readers rarely decide on a tone from a single word. They check whether the surrounding words lean the same way, then infer the attitude the pattern suggests.
Define shift in rhetorical analysis.
A shift is a meaningful change in tone, perspective, focus or rhetorical approach.
What three changes in a writer's perspective can a tonal shift signal?
A tonal shift can signal qualification, refinement or reconsideration.
A shift in focus can signal a tonal shift when the writer moves from describing a problem to _____ it.
A shift in focus can signal a tonal shift when the writer moves from describing a problem to judging it.
Define reconsideration.
Reconsideration is reevaluating an earlier perspective.
How might a change in diction signal a tonal shift?
A change in diction can signal a tonal shift when approving language becomes skeptical.
True or False?
A signal word such as "however" is enough on its own to confirm a tonal shift.
False.
Signal words are clues. Confirm the shift by checking whether the writer's diction, syntax, focus or perspective also changes.
In your own writing, a tonal shift should usually reflect a change in your _______ or purpose.
In your own writing, a tonal shift should usually reflect a change in your reasoning or purpose.
When might a writer shift tone within an argument?
A writer might shift tone when acknowledging an opposing position, introducing a complication or moving from criticism toward a solution.
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