The Counterargument
This is the specific part of an argument where the writer acknowledges that an opposing view has a valid point.
What is a concession?
This is the typical function of the first paragraph of an essay, where the author establishes the "rhetorical situation."
What is the context?
In the sentence "The students took the test and they passed," the word "students" serves as this for the pronoun "they."
What is the antecedent?
This is the single, most important sentence in an essay that summarizes the author’s main claim.
What is the thesis statement?
This is the total time allocated for the free-response section, where you must write three complete essays.
What is 2 hours and 15 minutes?
After conceding a point, the author must provide this: a "comeback" that explains why their original position is still the stronger one.
What is a Rebuttal?
An author might include a brief, personal story—called this—to illustrate a point or humanize a complex issue.
What is an anecdote?
On the MCQ, the College Board often asks what the word "this" refers to; it is usually found in this relative location to the pronoun.
What is immediately preceding it?
These are pieces of information (like stats or quotes) that support the main idea but are not the main idea themselves.
What is evidence or supporting details?
On the Synthesis essay, this is the minimum number of sources you must cite to avoid a "ceiling" on your Evidence and Commentary score.
What is 3?
This term refers to the "boundary" or "exception" a writer places on an argument—using words like "mostly," "usually," or "in many cases"—to make it more defensible against counterclaims.
What is a qualifier?
A paragraph that begins with "On the other hand" or "Despite these facts" is likely functioning as this.
What is a transition or shift?
This "relative pronoun" is often used to start a non-essential clause; students must be careful to identify exactly which noun it is describing.
What is which?
This is the analytical "sin" of getting so caught up in describing small details that you fail to connect them back to the main argument.
What is summary?
In a Synthesis or Argument essay, this is the act of placing two contrasting ideas or sources side-by-side to highlight their differences or similarities.
What is juxtaposition?
While a rebuttal proves an opponent wrong, this "milder" tactic suggests the opponent’s evidence is valid but simply less important or relevant than yours.
What is concession?
When an author lists several historical examples in a row, the primary function is often to establish this.
What is a line of reasoning?
If a sentence reads "The jury gave its verdict," the pronoun is "its" because "jury" is considered this type of noun.
what is a collective noun?
To find the main idea of a complex 19th-century passage, students should look for the "so what?"—also known as this.
What is the author's purpose?
This is the act of combining different parts or sources to form a new, coherent argument of your own.
What is synthesis?
On the AP scoring rubric, a well-handled counterargument is a primary way to earn this elusive, final point.
What is the sophistication point?
This is the function of a "Qualifying Statement"; it is used not to weaken an argument, but to limit its scope in order to make the claim more ________.
What is credible?
This specific type of "ambiguous" reference occurs when a pronoun like "it" could refer to two different nouns, causing reader confusion.
What is a vague pronoun reference?
This term describes the logical progression of an author’s main ideas from the start of the text to the finish.
What is the line of reasoning?
According to the College Board, a writer earns the "Sophistication" point if they can effectively account for these—the alternative perspectives that complicate their own position.
What are nuances and complexities?