Apologia Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RL.9-10.6

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

An apologia is a work that is written for the purpose of forming a defense or justification for a belief or idea. The goal is to clearly communicate the defenders’ convictions, motives, or the reason for action. The goal of the writer is to either defend or excuse themselves for their conduct or openly expressed opinions. The best forms of these include a great deal of evidence in the form of indisputable data. This form of communication dates back to the Roman civilization. These worksheets will help students understand the use of apologia and how to begin to use this form of communication on their own.

Apologia Worksheets To Print:

Introduction to Technique - Based on the definition above, which of the following do think someone might right an apologia for?

Socrates - We explore the classic use of this as a defense.

The Four Parts - The linguists B.L. Ware and W.A. Linkugel identify four primary strategies of an effective apologia. Denial (denying the accusation is true), Bolstering (the apologist tries to improve their image), Differentiation (the apologist compares their act or position to more egregious ones), Transcendence (the apologist recontextualizes their act or position

True or False - See how well versed you are with this, at this point.

Making Sense - Use the word box to make sense of each of the sentences.

Denial and Justification - Read the assigned text. Answer the questions using it as a reference.

Christian Apologetics - We research and learn of this specific use.

Breakout - A great way to introduce the concept to a class, as a whole, and open up a solid discussion.

Apologia vs. Argument - See how they cross over and are different.

Do You See It? - This can be used to help you pull apart your own text.

An Analysis - Use this with a long piece of literature. Does the apologist use any of these common unsuccessful strategies? Include text evidence where applicable.

Write with It - Think of something that you believe in. It could be a faith, a way of life, a philosophy, a social or political position.

Characterization - Practice using apologia as a tool for character development. For this exercise, imagine that one of your characters has been accused of something and they have to defend themselves.

Politics - No doubt that politicians are using this very often.

Attacking It - In what specific way might someone attack your position?

What Is Apologia?

Apologia is defined as defending one's own personal position, beliefs, actions, and opinions. The word apologia is very closely related to the word apology and its derivatives. Apologia and apology are both from later versions of Latin. While the word apology made its way down from Middle French, apologia made its way into English.

 

The word apologia is a combination of the Greek prefix apo- which is translated to 'away from' and logia which means 'speech.' These two combined to form apologia and apology, whose meaning is to have a formal justification or defense for your opinions or actions.

 

The Evolution

The first recorded account of the word apologia can be traced back to the Greek sense known as a speech of defense.' Next, another meaning of apologia emerged in 1590 that loosely translated to 'frank expression of regret.'

 

With time, this term slowly evolved into the modern form of 'apologizing' that we know today. This eventually stuck with it, and following the 18th century, it became the standard form of the word. In 1865, the Apologia Pro Vita Sua was published, which cemented the word into the English language once and for all.

 

Synonyms of Apologia

 

- Apology: An expression of guilt without any reference to external factors.

 

- Plea: An expression to invoke an appeal for mercy or sympathy.

 

- Excuse: An expression to deliver censure or blame from a person or situation.

 

- Alibi: An expression that adds more plausibility in an effort to refute blame or avoid some sort of punishment.