Apologia
Written self-defense
An apologia is a formal defense or justification of one's beliefs, actions, or position—not an apology in the sense of expressing regret.
The word retains its Greek meaning of a reasoned argument in one's own defense: Newman's Apologia Pro Vita Sua defended his conversion to Catholicism.
An apologia addresses criticism by explaining rather than apologizing.
Reason proving rightness
- vindicationClearance of blame
- explanationStatement making something clear
- rationaleStated basis for action
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
case · reasoning · plea · rebuttal · counterargument · grounds · basis · self-defense
Written personal recollection
- autobiographySelf-penned life narrative
- essayShort argumentative prose work
- narrativeAccount of events
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
confession · personal · account · reflection · self-examination · introspection · prose · writing
Study of the divine
- doctrineEstablished body of teachings
- faithTrust without proof
- NewmanOne recently arrived
- ChristianityFaith based on Jesus
belief · creed · orthodoxy · heresy · conversion · testimony · witness · confession
justification
Reason proving rightness
- vindicationClearance of blame
- explanationStatement making something clear
- rationaleStated basis for action
argument · case · reasoning · plea · rebuttal · counterargument · grounds · basis · self-defense · answer
memoir
Written personal recollection
- autobiographySelf-penned life narrative
- essayShort argumentative prose work
- narrativeAccount of events
testimony · confession · personal · account · reflection · self-examination · introspection · prose · writing · genre
theology
Study of the divine
Christianity · belief · creed · orthodoxy · heresy · conversion · testimony · witness · confession · spiritual
- ApuleiusMetamorphoses, Lucius, Cupid and Psyche, Florida, Isis
- Spiritual ClassicsConfessions, Pilgrim's Progress, Divine Comedy, Summa Theologica, Book of Common Prayer
- Ancient BiographiesPlutarch, Augustus, Confessions, Augustine, Athanasius
- patristicsChurch Fathers, church fathers, Cyril of Alexandria, Cappadocian Fathers, apostolic fathers
Apologiaaccusation
Claim someone did wrong
indictment · attack · condemnation · denunciation · prosecution
Apologiaaccusation
Claim someone did wrong
blame · incrimination · indictment · imputation · recrimination
Apologiaexposé
Investigative journalism piece
takedown · hatchet job · hit piece · character assassination · smear
- my apologiesExpression of regret
- I apologizeExpression of remorse
- public apologyOpenly stated remorse
- heartfelt apologySincere expression of remorse
- formal apologyOfficial acknowledgment of fault
- my apologyExpression of personal regret
apology, apologies, apologize, apologise, apologized, apologised, apologizing, apologising, apologetic