SAT Vocabulary - Advanced Rhetoric and Abstraction

Front

Substantiate

Back

To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim. In SAT arguments, it refers to the act of backing up a thesis with concrete data or reasoning. Example: The scientist failed to substantiate his hypothesis with repeatable experimental data. Etymology: From Latin *substantiare* 'to give substance to'.

Front

Empirical

Back

Relying on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic. It describes information acquired by evidence-based methods. Example: The researchers refused to speculate without empirical data from the clinical trials. Etymology: From Greek *empeiria* meaning 'experience'.

Front

Esoteric

Back

Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge. It describes language or concepts that are obscure or niche. Example: The professor's lecture on quantum mechanics was too esoteric for the first-year students to grasp. Etymology: From Greek *esoterikos* 'inner', from *eso* 'within'.

Front

Ambivalent

Back

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. It is a key tone word indicating the author is not purely positive or negative. Example: The voter remained ambivalent about the candidate, appreciating her policies but doubting her integrity. Etymology: From Latin *ambivalere*, literally 'to have equal strength on both sides'.

Front

Didactic

Back

Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction. It can describe literature, art, or a person's tone that feels preachy or educational. Example: The novel was overly didactic, prioritizing the author's moral lessons over the development of the plot. Etymology: From Greek *didaktikos* 'skillful in teaching', from *didaskein* 'to teach'.