AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
Directions: Your goal is to READ! These KTT are to be described AS YOU READ. Do not just copy the
definitions from the chapter margins. If you only do this, you will not have the level of understanding
necessary to succeed, especially on exams. You need to describe the importance of each KTT in the
context of the chapter reading. Some of them will be bold printed terms in your book, but not all them.
If the term is a title of a sub section, I will note the term with a “(T)” which designates it as a Theme. For
these themes you need to describe the main idea of the sub section in 2 to 3 sentences. There will
typically be 10 KTT per chapter.
Your QUIZZES WILL BE BASED ON THESE KTT. On occasion, you will be allowed to use these descriptions
on the quiz, but in most cases you will need to study your work prior to the quiz. I, typically, will give
you 4 days to week to prepare for each quiz. These quizzes will be a major part of your grade. I will
drop the lowest quiz grade each 9 week term (this will not show until the 6 week mark). You can also
replace a quiz grade with an extra credit assignment (one per nine weeks). Extra Credit Assignments will
be announced in class and posted on my website.
Reading Tips: Active reading is reading for meaning. Active reading requires concentration!!! Turn off
all of your devices. Text messages will still be there you get done. Memory retention suffers greatly
when you try to multitask. Music with lyrics is NOT A STUDY AIDE! It is distracting your brain. Your
brain cannot handle music lyrics and reading at the same time. It simply does not work!!!! Try calm
instrumental music or no music at all.
Step 1: Pre-reading
Review the chapter title and the main ideas of each section. Next, flip through the chapter reading
section titles, looking at pictures, graphs, and charts while reading the captions. This will give you a
valuable introduction to what you are about to read.
Step 2: Reading
Read with the intent of clarifying main ideas and how things work (or are supposed to work). Question
while you read. Try to understand what these things, why things developed, and what the implications
are. ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR INTERCONNECTIONS (HOW DIFFERENT PARTS WORKS
TOGETHER), THESE ARE THE BASIS OF MOST ESSAYS AND TEST QUESTIONS. Use a dictionary! Don’t give
up on the understanding of difficult passages due to a lack of understanding the vocabulary of the
author. Re-read as needed to understand. And, finally, take notes (in the case of our class, the KTT serve
as you “notes”). Notice not all chapter vocabulary is on the list. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE NOT
RESPONSIBLE TO KNOW THE TERMS LEFT OUT. You never know what will be on the AP Exam or my
exam. You are responsible for everything…I can’t possibly cover all of it

DO NOT SKIP THE INTRODUCTORY SECTIONS OR SPECIAL SECTIONS OF EACH CHAPTER. THEY
ARE INVALUABLE TO DEEPENING UNDERSTANDING.
Step 3: After Reading
After you have read and completed your KTT. Immediately, read over your work! Is it good enough?
Do you understand it? If not, you may need to add to your descriptions. If you still find yourself
confused, you may need to come in and talk over your KTT with me. This really helps. I am available
before school every day and after school by appointment.
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
Chp 1
Government
Politics
Political Participation
Linkage Institutions
Policy Agenda
public policy
Table 1.1, p. 13 (Public Policy Different Types)
Democracy
Pluralism
Elitism
How Active is American Gov (T)
Chp 2 (part I, p 32 – 52)
Declaring Independence (T)
Articles of Confederation (T)
U.S. Constitution
Connecticut (or Great) Compromise
Writ of Habeas Corpus
Tyranny of the Majority (T)
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Establishing a Federal System (T)
Chp 2 (part II, p 52 – 67)
Constitutional Republic (T)
Federalists and Anti Federalists
Federalist Papers
Bill of Rights
Table 2.6 (T)
Formal Amendment Process (table 2.5)
Informal Processes (T)
Marbury v. Madison, 1803
Judicial Review
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
Chp 3
Federalism
The Division of Power (T)
Supremacy Clause
10th Amendment
McCulloch v. Maryland (Implied Powers)
Enumerated Powers
Elastic Clause
Commerce Power (T)
Cooperative Federalism
Devolution
Categorical Grants
Block Grants
Mandate Blues (T)
Diversity in Policy (T)
Chapter 4
Civil liberties
Barron v. Baltimore, 1833
14th amendment
incorporation doctrine
establishment clause
free exercise clause
libel
symbolic speech
exclusionary rule
self-incrimination
Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963
right to privacy
Roe v. Wade, 1973
Chapter 5
Equal protection clause
Plessy & Brown cases
Civil Rights Act of 1964
24th Amendment
Voting Rights Act 1965
Hernandez v. Texas, 1954
Korematsu v. United States, 1944
19th Amendment
Equal Pay Act of 1963
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
Title IX of the Education Act of 1972
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Affirmative Action
Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003
Chapter 6
Minority majority
The Regional Shift (T)
political socialization
sampling error
political ideology
Table 6.1 “How to tell a Liberal from a Conservative” (Study it)
gender gap
political participation
Class, Inequality, and Participation (T)
Chapter 7
Mass media
narrowcasting
selective exposure
Private Control of the Media (T)
policy agenda
Horse-race journalism (look it up – not in book)
Chapter 8
Political party (distinguish from an interest group)
Tasks of Parties (T) (you need to list it)
linkage institutions
The “Base” of a political party (look it up and know how it effects both Democrats and Republicans)
party identification
ticket splitting
closed primaries
open primaries
coalition
1968 – Present: Southern Realignment & Divided government
winner-take-all system (single-member district elections)
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
Chapter 9
Nomination
Invisible primary
Presidential primaries
Party platform
Federal Election Commission
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
Super PACs
political efficacy
Motor Voter Act
battleground states
Chapter 10
Interest group
pluralism
elitism
iron triangle
free-rider problem
Single issue group
lobbying
political action committee
public interest lobbies
Chapter 11 – Part I
The Members (T)
Incumbents
Case work
pork barrel (spending)
House Rules Committee
filibuster
cloture (not in bold)
Speaker of the House
Senate Majority Leader (not in bold)
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
Chapter 11 – Part II
Standing Committees
Conference Committees
legislative oversight
Committee Chairs
seniority system
bill
Party Influence (T)
Ideology and Polarized Politics (T)
Lobbyists and Interest Groups (T)
Chapter 12
25th Amendment
Constitutional Powers (T) (Give examples)
executive orders
cabinet (Secretaries)
The Executive Office (T)
National Security Council
The White House Staff (T)
presidential coattails
commander-in-chief (T)
War Powers Resolution
legislative veto
Going Public (T)
Chapter 13
entitlements
Budget Process
OMB (office of management and budget)
National Debt
appropriations
continuing resolution
discretionary spending
non-discretionary spending
Chapter 14
bureaucracy
patronage
Pendleton Civil Service Act
civil service
Hatch Act (1939 &1993)
independent regulatory commission (know examples)
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
government corporations (know examples)
“independent” executive agencies (know examples)
policy implementation
administrative discretion
Privatization
regulation
Iron Triangle
Chapter 15
amicus curiae briefs
original jurisdiction
appellate jurisdiction
senatorial courtesy
solicitor general
opinion
stare decisis
precedent
originalism
Marbury v. Madison
judicial review
judicial restraint
judicial activism
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)
AP US Government and Politics: Key Terms and Themes (KTT)