WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

apologia
    n 1: a formal written defense of something you believe in
         strongly [syn: apology, apologia]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

32 Moby Thesaurus words for "apologia":
   apologetic, apologetics, apology, argument, argumentation, bicker,
   bickering, casuistry, clarification, contention, controversy,
   defense, disputation, dispute, elucidation, explanation, flyting,
   hassle, hubbub, interpretation, justification, litigation,
   logomachy, paper war, passage of arms, polemic, polemics, rhubarb,
   set-to, verbal engagement, war of words, wrangling