TOPIC 1: ACADEMIC TEXT

ACADEMIC
1. Academic writing refers to a piece of writing which
focuses on specific academic subject/ topic.
2. Academic finding and academic research, etc.
3. Its reader includes academicians.
4. Its purpose is to inform the readers with solid evidence.
5. It may include some complex sentences.
6. Its content is based on serious thought.
7. It contains citations and references.
8. Academic writing is structured in manner.
9. It always follows a formal way of writing.
10. It is organized in a clear and well-planned manner.
NON-ACADEMIC
1. Non-academic writing refers to a piece of writing which
focuses on a general topic.
2. Non-academic writing is based on any general
conversation or topic.
3. Its reader includes family and friends.
4. Its purpose is to inform, entertain or persuade the readers.
5. Simple and short sentences are always preferable.
6. Its thought is based on conversational.
7. It often does not contain citations and references.
8. Non-academic is not structured in manner.
9. It may follow formal or informal way of writing.
10. It is less likely to be clear and organized.

Examples of Academic text:

a. Literary Analysis – it examines, evaluates and makes an argument about a literary work;
- It goes beyond mere summarization;
- It requires careful close reading of one or multiple texts and often focuses on a specific characteristics, theme or
motif.
b. Research paper – it uses outside information to support a thesis or make an argument.
- It is written in all disciplines and may be evaluative, analytical or critical in nature.
- Common researches sources include data, primary sources (historical records), and secondary sources (peer-
reviewed scholarly articles).
- Writing research papers involve synthesizing this external information with your own ideas.
c. Dissertation – or thesis; it is a document submitted at the conclusion of a PhD program
- A book-length summarization of the doctoral candidate’s research
d. Conference papers – these are papers presented in scholastic references, and may be revised as articles for possible
publication in scholarly journals

Two Common Structure of Academic Text:

1. The Three-part essay structure
a. INTRODUCTION
- Clearly tell the readers the topic, purpose and structure of the paper
- It might be between 10% to 20% of the length of the whole paper
- Write your introduction after you know both your overall point of the view (if it is a persuasive paper) and the whole
structure of your paper.
- Revise the introduction when you have completed the main body
- Three main parts of introduction:
 The most general information – such as background/ definition
 The core of the introduction – point of view, purpose, hypothesis, research questions.
 The most specific information – describing the scope and structure of the paper
b. BODY
- Develops the question “what is the topic about?’
- It may be elaborated directly on the topic sentence by giving definitions, classifications, explanations, contrast,
examples and evidence
- Considered the heart of the essay because it expounds the specific ideas for the readers to have a better
understanding of the topic.
- The largest part of the essay.
c. CONCLUSION
- Closely related to introduction and often describes the “Mirror Image of the Introduction”
- If the introduction begins with general information and ends with specific information, the conclusion moves in the
opposite direction.
- Begins briefly by summarizing the main scope or structure of the paper

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 - Confirms the topic that was given in the introduction
- Ends with a more general statement about this topic relates to its content
- It includes the importance of the topic, implications for future research or a recommendation about theory or practice

Note: The introduction and the conclusion should be shorter than the body of the text. For shorter essays, one or two
paragraphs for each of these sections can be appropriate.

2. IMRaD Structure
Introduction – usually depicts the background of the topic and the central focus of the study.
Methodology – let the readers know your data collection methods, research instrument employed, sample size
and so on
Results and discussion – state the brief summary of the key findings or the results of the study.

Remember:
Academic text is typically considered as a formal mode of writing intended for educated audience. It is generally written in
a third person or objective voice and it tends to depend on heavily to research, factual, experimentation and evidence and the
opinions of other educated scholars and researchers rather than on the opinions of the author.
In writing an academic text, you need to have a solid structure. You may use the 3-part structure od IMRaD structure.

TOPIC 2: KNOWLEDGE OF TEXT STRUCTURE

TO GLEAN THE INFORMATION HE/SHE NEEDS
Text Structure / Patterns of Development – refers to the organization of information within a written text.

1. PROBLEM-SOLUTION
- a problem is presented and an answer can be done to remedy the issue given. Problem–solution pattern organizes
ideas into problems and proposed solutions.
Problem section usually includes the what, who, when, where, why, and how of the problem. The other part then presents
the major effects of the problem and the possible solutions to address it, as well as the steps in implementing the solution. To
better comprehend a text that follows a problem solution pattern, a problem solution map can be used.
SIGNAL WORDS FOR PROBLEM-SOLUTION
but one reason for the one way is
first, second one solution is the problem
nonetheless the solution
Sample text:
Today, most of the energy resources we have are generated from coal, oil, and natural gas. However, these resources are limited. If
continuously consumed at an alarming rate, fossil fuels necessary for generating power to operate vehicles and factories will run out before
long. Nonetheless, this problem can be resolved through the use of alternative sources of energy and conservation efforts. First, using
alternative sources of energy such as solar energy and fusion energy would lessen the pollution. These alternatives are actually more
accessible and cost-efficient. Although there are some potential risks in using fusion energy, these risk can be mitigated by implementing strict
safety measures. The second solution that governments can adopt is the enhancement of the conservation efforts. To do this, governments
need to make the public more aware of the benefits of conservation, as well as of conserving energy, such as recycling. Laws can be passed to
mandate the public and all stakeholders to recycle energy.

2. CHRONOLOGY OR PROCEDURE
A chronological pattern organizes ideas or events according to time. It can either be in the form of a narration or a
process. A narration sequences events in the order in which they occurred in time, while a process organizes details based on
stages or steps.
The most essential parts of this pattern are the main idea, major dates and events such as the final outcome, major
steps/stages, and, of course, the order of presentation.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR CHRONOLOGY

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 about before in the meantime prior to today immediately
after during later second tomorrow until
afterwards eventually meanwhile soon presently at this point
as soon as finally next then yesterday when
at first next week till

Sample text:
(Narration)
Ondoy began to develop from an active low pressure area to a tropical cyclone on September 24, 2009. The following day, PAGASA
raised storm signals all over the Philippine archipelago. At that point, signal no. 2 was raised in Catanduanes and other part of Luzon. By
Saturday morning, reports of flooding started to pour in. Meanwhile, president Arroyo’s declaration, various government agencies began the
rescue and relief operations. As soon as Typhoon Ondoy exited the Philippines, more and more relief and rescue operations were conducted.
(Process)
During flooding, one thing that may probably save your life is an improvised floatation device. You can make one using your pants.
First, knot off the leg holes of your pants. Then, hold the open waist and swing the pants around to fill the legs with air. Promptly knot off the
waist to trap the air and hold the pants underwater so that the air would not escape.

3. DESCRIPTION (SENSORY AND SPATIAL)

A descriptive pattern basically provides details on the idea by using either a sensory or spatial pattern. Through a sensory
pattern, ideas are arranged based on one or all of the five senses. A spatial pattern, on the other hand, arranges ideas by location
or physical space. A concept map can be used to understand descriptive texts.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR DESCRIPTION

above around between in front of amidst throughout
across away from beyond inside onto to the right
adjacent to back of by into opposite to on top of
against behind down farther near beside under
along below here off outside
alongside beneath in on over
Sample text:
A laptop is one of the greatest inventions of the modern era. It is a lightweight device that can save a vast amount of information. The
screen, touchpad, speakers, keyboard, battery, and AC adapter are the basic parts of a laptop. The most noticeable part of the laptop is its
screen, which is responsible for displaying information. Another major component is the keyboard. On it are the keys needed to enter data into
the computer. Near the keyboard you will find a smooth, rectangular surface which acts like a desktop computer mouse – this is the touchpad.
At the bottom part of this rectangular surface, you will see buttons that operate like a mouse button. Below the keyboard and touchpad, built into
the laptop itself are the speakers which allow you to hear sounds and music. Found at the back of the keyboard is the battery; it serves as the
lifetime of the computer. Finally, a laptop also comes with an AC adapter which charges the battery and serves as the source of electric power
when it is plugged in.

4. COMPARISON-CONTRAST
A comparison-and-contrast pattern organizes ideas based on how events, places, people, things, and concepts are
similar to or different from one another. There are two ways on how ideas can be arranged: separately, which involves describing
one item first followed by the second item; or side-by-side, which means discussing both items based on each point of comparison.
The sample text on the next page compares and contrasts two items side-by-side.
Concentrate on the most important parts of a comparison-contrast pattern: the purpose of comparison, points of
comparison, and the actual similarities and differences of the items being compared. Try using a Venn diagram or a
compare/contrast matrix to better understand this pattern of development.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR COMPARING

also equally in the same way similarly
as in a similar like to compare
both in comparison likewise

SIGNAL WORDS FOR CONTRASTING

although despite instead otherwise conversely on the contrary
and yet even so however still counter to on the other hand
as opposed to even though nevertheless thefact remains in spite of whereas
but in contrast nonetheless unlike meantime yet

Sample text:

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 Are you not sure yet which phone to buy? To help you decide, this review will inspect the basic similarities and differences of the
flagship of phones of two giant companies: Apple’s iPhone 6 and Samsung’s Galaxy S5. Both brag to be the best smart phones in the market to
date. While these state-of-the art phones have similarities in the form of their sleek design, multi-touch touch screen, and multimedia features,
they have their distinctive features as well. First, Galaxy S5 has a larger screen at 5.1 inches as compared to iPhone 6’s 4.7 inches. As for the
operating system, iPhone 6 uses iOS (8.x) while S5 uses android (5.0, 4.4.2) in terms of the camera; S5 has a 2.1 megapixel front-facing which
is higher than iPhone’s 1.2 megapixels. Unlike S5, iPhone’s battery is not user-replaceable and has a shorter talk time, but when it comes to
built-in storage, iPhone 6 outperforms S5. Now that you know the basic difference of the two phones, you can decide!
5. CAUSE AND EFFECT
A cause-and-effect pattern organizes details based on the cause, the reason, and the result or consequences of a certain
phenomenon. This pattern may discuss both the causes and effects, the causes only, or the effects only.
To better comprehend a text that follows a cause-and-effect pattern, a fishbone map can be used.
When reading this type of pattern, focus on and take note of the following elements: The purpose of the text, the
relationship between causes and effects, and the potential causal fallacies or illogical arguments.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR CAUSES

as for in view of(the fact) owing to (the fact)
because (of the fact) for the reason that seeing that seeing that
being that in that since since
due to (the fact that)

SIGNAL WORDS FOR EFFECTS

according consequently in consequence so that
as a consequence for this reason so therefore
as a result(of this) hence so much (so) that thus
because (of this)
Sample text:
The advancement in technology and economy has created major changes in modern society. One of these changes is globalization.
As we know, globalization has affected the world in many ways. First, it served as a catalyst to worldwide trading, thus allowing countries to
access foreign products. Although this had positive effects, it also posed a real threat to the merchandise of the local traders. Second,
globalization affected the financial market. As a result, different countries had more access to funds, and the exchange in national currencies
dramatically increased. Finally, globalization also led to the privatization of various facilities, such as public health institutions. These institutions
were being privatized due to the idea that the private sector can better manage and provide health services. In consequence, health policies
become more and more of a commodity on a global scale.

6. DEFINITION
Using definition to develop an idea helps to clarify and explain concepts by answering the question “What does it mean?”.
This pattern explains the information through the use of illustrations, examples, and descriptions. It may also include one or more
different patterns.
Take note of the term to be defined and the detailed explanation of the term, as these are the most important parts of this
pattern. You can also use a spider map to better understand a definition text.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR DEFINITION

is defined as as defined means
refers to to define to illustrate
Sample text:
Social engineering is defined as any method which tricks people to share personal information through the use of technology. The
‘social’ component in this scheme means that there is reliance on various psychological tricks and on the gullibility of users rather than technical
hacking. Social engineering also refers to various malicious acts online, such as phishing, spamming and pretexting.

7. EXEMPLIFICATION
An exemplification pattern presents the general statement and then provides specific and concrete examples to expound
on the main idea. This pattern is used to provide an example of something.
Pay attention to the main idea and the specific examples, as these are the most important parts of this pattern. You can
use a spider map to better understand an exemplification text.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR EXEMPLIFICATION

after all for instance namely
as an example in other words put another way
consider the following in particular specifically
for example is short stated differently

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 that is to be specific to clarify
to illustrate
Sample text:
While internet offers so many benefits to man, it also has its own downsides. One of these is phishing, which refers to the act of
obtaining personal information, such as passwords and credit card details, through online means. In other words, phishing is a form of
cybercrime. As an example, let us consider the case of Mr. X. He received an email stating that his Gmail account has been compromised and
that he needed to click a link to update personal information. If Mr. X clicks on the link, his personal information will be illegally acquired by
cybercriminals.
8. LISTING
A listing pattern organizes ideas using enumeration. Unlike a chronological pattern, listing does not require the items to be
sequenced chronologically because it does not have the element of time. It basically presents a series of items (facts, examples,
features, reasons, and tips) that support a main idea.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR LISTING

additionally and then further likewise
again another furthermore moreover
along with as well in addition next
also besides in the same way together with
and equally important

Sample text:
Picking the right career is such a daunting task because it pits passion against reality. Some find a hard time choosing at first, so do
not be surprised if you see people shift careers several times before they achieve success. On this note, here are some tips to help you choose
the right career. Identify your interest. Are you fascinated with numbers, arts, sciences, human behaviour, computer technology, or teaching?
Try to process as well your reason for choosing a particular career; you can also factor in the financial component during this stage. Another
thing that you can do is to focus on and learn everything about your chosen career. If you want to be a doctor, know exactly what a doctor does
and check whether you can handle this type of profession. In addition, try to visualize yourself five or ten years from now, and develop a plan to
achieve the goal in your mind. Remember not to rely on luck when it comes to your career; instead, make reasoned decisions based on what
you want.

9. CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION

A classification pattern organizes ideas into categories or divisions based in the criteria and standards. This pattern can
be used when classifying people, objects, events, things, places, and other items. Make sure to always double-check whether each
term is undeniably part of a certain category. Avoid oversimplifying just so you may be able to assign something to a category, as it
may result in stereotyping.
Take note of the superordinate (name of the larger group) ideas, the subordinate (subcategories of a larger group) ideas,
and the relationship between them, since these are the most important parts of this pattern.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR CLASSIFICATION & DIVISION

another classified as one kind the last group
another kind final type the first category the next part
Sample text:
Earthquakes can be classified into three main types based on the plate movements. The first type is known as a convergent
boundary. Also known as destructive plate boundary, this type of earthquakes happens when two tectonic plates move toward one another and
collide. The second type of earthquake is called the divergent boundary. During this type of earthquake, two plates are forced to move away
from each other resulting in a rift zone. The last type is called the conservative plate boundary or transform fault. During this type of earthquake,
two tectonic plates slides past one another.

10. PERSUASION
A persuasion pattern organizes ideas to show how a set of evidence leads to a logical conclusion or argument.
This pattern presents the issue, the position, and the supporting evidence that supports the position. To better
comprehend a text that follows this pattern, a persuasion map can be used.

SIGNAL WORDS FOR EMPHASIZING A POINT

again in that case to repeat
for this reason indeed truly
in fact to emphasize with this in mind

SIGNAL WORDS FOR CONCLUDING & SUMMARIZING

accordingly in any event since due to in summary
all in all in brief in essence finally inevitably
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 as a result in conclusion in a nutshell thus on the whole
as i have said in short therefore to sum up consequentl
y

SIGNAL WORDS FOR CONCEDING A POINT

admittedly it is true that of course Unquestionably
assuredly needless to say true Obviously
certainly no doubt undoubtedly granted

Sample text:
Euthanasia or mercy killing has been a widely debated issue. It is an act to end a person’s life to alleviate the suffering brought about
by a terminal or grave illness. While it may be supported by some, mercy killing is not only an unethical medical practice, it is also a crime. After
all, in the most basic level, euthanasia still takes a life.
In fact, a majority of the countries in the world, including those that have legalized it, consider it as homicide. Aside from being a
crime, euthanasia is unethical in the medical context because it violates the principle of “prium non nocore” which means “first, do not harm.” in
their code of ethics, doctors have the responsibility of saving lives, not destroying them, which is why euthanasia can never be acceptable.

TOPIC 3: SUMMARIZING
Summarizing –Refers to providing an abridge version of the narrative.
- used to determine the essential ideas in a book, article, book chapter, an article or parts of an article. These essential ideas
include the gist or main idea, useful information, or key words or phrases that help you meet your reading purpose.
- Summarizing is generally done after reading. However, it can be done while reading a text.

Two Aims of Summarizing

a. to reproduce the main idea and key points of a text.
b. to restate these in as few words as possible

Benefits of Summarizing
1. It helps you learn to identify key ideas of a text and ignore irrelevant information.
2. It improves our memory and by extension, our comprehension.
3. It is an effective tool to self-evaluate what is understood about the original text.

Tips in Summarizing
1. Read the text fully.
2. Ask yourself these questions:
a. What is the main idea?
b. What are the crucial details necessary for supporting the main idea?
3. Highlight, underline or jot down what you think is the main points of the text.
4. When summarizing an entire essay, outline the writer’s argument.
5. Summarize in chronological order.

Common Technique in Summarizing

1. Reference Citation
a. Author citation in the body of the sentence
Example: Cojuanco (2016) reported that the Philippines has a population of 103.3 million composed of senior
citizens, mid-life adults, children and the youth as the biggest fraction.
b. Author citation in brackets
Example: The Philippines has a population of 103.3 million composed of senior citizens, mid-life adults, children and
the youth as the biggest fraction (Cojuanco, 2016).
2. Graphic Organizer
a. T-chart – used for comparison, cause and effect, mnemonics/ acronyms
b. Grid – used for comparison, charts

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 c. Spider map/ concept map – used for brainstorming ideas, vocabulary, examples of a central topic
d. Timeline – used for historical events, sequencing, biography
e. Table – used for all types of data
f. Venn diagram or H-graph– used for comparison and contrast
g. Fishbone – used for cause and effect
h. Pie graph – used for compositions and fractions
i. Bar graph or Line graph – used for comparison and contrast, tracking progress or growth

Example of Summarizing

Original Passage
What is plagiarism? In minor cases, it can be the quotation of sentence or two, without quotation marks and without a
citation (e.g. footnote) to the true author. In the most serious cases, a significant fraction of the entire work was written by someone
else but the plagiarist removed the author(s), name(s) and substituted his/her name, perhaps did some reformatting of the text,
then submitted the work for credit in a class (e.g. term paper or essay), as part of a published article or book.
Reference:
Standler, R.B. (2012). Plagiarism in colleges in USA: Legal aspects of plagiarism, academic policy. Retrieved from
https://www.rbs2. com/plag.pdf, p.5

Summary
Plagiarism can be defined as using ideas, data, or any relevant information of another without giving proper credit or
acknowledgement (Standler, 2012).

TOPIC 4: THESIS STATEMENT

Thesis statement – is the central idea of a multiple paragraph;
- summarizes the topic and the arguments of the writer about the topic;
- it can be in one or two sentences long.

*Topic sentence – is the sentence that contains the subject of a paragraph. It is usually the first or last sentence of a paragraph. It
is also the central idea of the whole paper.
*Thesis statement – is the main idea of one paragraph only.

Explicit thesis statement – means straight forward; the thesis statement is obviously written in the text.
- Is usually located at the end of the introduction

Implicit Thesis statement – the thesis statement is not written in the text.
- Readers will formulate the thesis statement based on their understanding of the text.

Parts of a thesis statement

1. Topic – subject of the text
2. Position – your stand on the topic
3. Reason – explanation and justification of your position
4. Concession (optional) – an opposing viewpoint on the topic

How to Write a thesis statement

a. Identify the details based on the parts of the thesis statement before writing it completely.
Example:
Topic: Regulating children’s mobile gaming
Position: Parents should regulate the amount of time their children spend on mobile gaming.
Reason/s: 1. It inhibits social interaction.
2. It shortens children’s attention span.
3. It’s not always intellectually stimulating
Concession: Mobile gaming can be educational

Models or Patterns of Thesis Writing

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 1. Basic thesis statement (Topic + Position)
Example: Parents should regulate the amount of time their children spend on mobile gaming.
2. Thesis statement with concession (Basic thesis statement + Concession)
Example: Even though mobile gaming can be educational; parents should regulate the amount of time their children
spend on mobile gaming.
3. Thesis statement with concession and reason (Thesis statement with concession + Reason/s)
Example: Even though mobile gaming can be educational; parents should regulate the amount of time their children
spend on mobile gaming because it inhibits social interaction, it shortens children’s attention span and it’s not always
intellectually stimulating.
4. Thesis statement with Reason (Basic Thesis statement + Reason/s)
Example: Parents should regulate the amount of time their children spend on mobile gaming because it inhibits social
inter-action, it shortens children’s attention span and it’s not always intellectually stimulating.

TOPIC 5: OUTLINING
OUTLINING – a written plan that serves as a skeleton for the paragraphs you write.
- A summary that gives the essential information that will be included in a paper, book, etc.

Benefits of Outline
1. It gives an overview of the topic and enables us to see how various subtopics relate to one another.
2. Recording the information in our own words, help us tests how much we understand what we read.
3. It is an effective way to record needed information from reference books you do not own.

Types of Outline
a. Reading outline – is what you make when you study a paper; for analyzing a paper you are reading
b. Writing outline – is what you make when you are about to write an essay; for organizing ideas before writing an essay

System/ Format in Outlining

a. Decimal Outline – a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger
whole.
- ideas are organized through numbers and decimals.
Example:
1. Choosing desired college
1.1. Visiting and evaluating college campuses
1.2. Visiting and evaluating college websites
1.2.1. Look for interesting classes
1.2.2. Note important statistics
b. Alphanumeric outline – uses letters and numbers to organize ideas
- commonly used due to convenience and easy recognition of sections
Example:
I. Choosing desired college
A. Visiting and evaluating college campuses
B. Visiting and evaluating college websites
1. Look for interesting classes
2. Note important statistics
II. Preparing application
A. Writing personal statement
1. Choosing interesting topic

How to Outline
1. First is the title of the essay. Write on the top center.
2. Then write the thesis statement.
3. Use Roman numerals for major sections of the paper or essay.
4. After the roman numerals, use the capital letters for main ideas (per paragraph)
*Remember: Indention is very crucial in every outline.
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Types of Formal Outline
a. Topic Outline – uses key words and phrases; shorter and easier to make
Levels of topic outline – the headings, the subheading and sub-subheading. For Headings, look for the main ideas in the
text or passage. Roman numerals (I, II, III) are used to identify the headings. For subheadings, you need to get the
supporting ideas that further explain the main idea. Use capital letters (A, B, C) to present the subheadings. For the sub-
subheadings, they are specific details or concrete examples of the supporting ideas. Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3) are used for
sub-subheadings. However, sub-subheadings are only given when necessary.
b. Sentence Outline – uses full sentence; remember to use correct punctuation marks; makes actual essay-writing easier.

Guidelines in Writing an Outline

1. Place the title at the center above the outline.
2. Every level of the outline must have at least two items. (I and II, A and B, 1 and 2)
3. Put a period after each numeral and letter.
4. Indent each new level of the outline.
5. All items of one kind (roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals) should line up with each other.
6. Capitalize the first letter.

TOPIC 6: REACTION PAPER, REVIEW & CRITIQUE

REACTION PAPER - is a form of paper writing in which the writer expresses his ideas and opinions about what has been read or
seen. Reaction paper is evaluated due to the writer's communication skills and only then due the unique ideas and the content.
This paper writing may be informal, two pages long.

A review is an evaluation of a publication, service, or company

Critique is a literary technique that means to critically evaluate a piece of literary work, or a political or philosophical theory in detail.

Critical Approaches in Writing a Critique

1. Formalism - claims that literary works contain intrinsic properties and treats each work as a distinct work of art. In short, it
posits that the key to understanding a text is through the text itself- the historical content, the author, or any other external
contents are not necessary in interpreting the meaning.
Following are the common aspects looked into formalism.
- Authors techniques in resolving contradictions - Relationship of the form and the content
within the work - Use of imagery to develop the symbols in the work
- Central passage that sums up the entirety of the - Interconnectedness of various parts of the work
work - Paradox, ambiguity, and irony in the work
- Contribution of parts and the work as a whole to its - Unity in the work
aesthetic quality
2. Feminist Criticism- also called feminism; it focuses on how literature presents women as subjects of socio-
political, psychological, and economic oppression. It also reveals how aspects of our culture are patriarchal, i.e., how
our culture views men as superior and women as inferior. The common aspects looked into when using feminism are
as follows:
- How culture determines gender
- How gender equality (or lack of it) is presented in the text
- How gender issues are presented in literary works and other aspects of human production and daily life
- How women are socially, politically, psychologically, and economically oppressed by patriarchy
- How patriarchal ideology is an overpowering presence
3. Reader-Response Criticism- is concerned with the reviewer’s reaction as an audience of a work. This approach claims that the
reader’s role cannot be separated from the understanding of the work- a text does not have meaning until the reader reads it
and interprets it. The common aspects looked into when using reader response criticism are as follows:
- Interaction between the reader and the text in creating meaning
- The impact of the reader’s delivery of sounds and visuals on enhancing and changing meaning

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4. Marxist Criticism- is concerned with differences between economic classes and implications of a capitalist system, such as the
continuing conflicts between the working class and the elite. Hence, it attempts to reveal that the ultimate source of people’s
experience is the socioeconomic system. The common aspects looked into when using Marxist criticism are as follows:
- Social class as represented in the work - Social class of the characters
- Social class of the writer/creator - Conflicts and interactions between economic
classes
TOPIC 7: WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER
CONCEPT PAPER
 Refers to an academic or research paper that is written with the primary purposes of identifying and explaining an idea or a
concept related to a particular scholarly field or discipline before conducting a research.
 provides an overview of the project, and help funding agencies eliminates proposals that are likely to be disapproved.
 a summary of what the project is all about, the reasons for conducting the project, and how it will be carried out.
 a preliminary document for a proposal, it shows a preview of the improvements that the proponent would like to have
implemented.
 can be helpful in addressing social issues especially to show solutions to tangible issues which plague society

Purposes of a Concept paper

1. Serves as a foundation of a full proposal
2. Helps determine whether a certain project is feasible or not.
3. Used to pique the interest of the potential funding agencies.
4. Used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas prior to preparing the full proposal.

Ways in Explaining a Concept

1. DEFINITION is a method of identifying a given term and making its meaning clearer. Its main purpose is to clarify and explain
concepts, ideas and issues by answering the question, “What does it mean?”. It contains the terms to be defined and the
detailed exposition of the term through the use of illustrations, examples and description. This can be presented in three ways:
informal, formal or extended.
a. Informal definition is done through a parenthetical or brief explanation.
Example: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil, fish, and nuts.
b. Formal definition explains a term by incorporating the term to be defined, the general category of the term, and the quality
that makes the term different from other terms in the same category.
Example: Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as anti-oxidant.
c. Extended definition is a detailed way of defining a term and is usually composed of at least one paragraph. This
incorporates various patterns of development (classification, formal & informal, comparison & contrast, narration, etc.) to
explain a given concept.
Example: Subsequent to materials design is the preparation of learning materials. Learning materials refer to both printed
and non-printed objects or items that teachers and learners use to facilitate language learning. Nowadays, materials are becoming
more and more sophisticated, incorporating authentic language samples and realias that help make a connection between
classrooms and real-life activities. They also incorporate information and communication technology (ICT), role-plays, information-
gap activities, songs, taped transcripts, integrated macro skills, and explicit rubrics.
Signal Words for Definition
 as defined  means
 for example  such as
 for instance  to illustrate
 is defined

2. EXPLICATION – a method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or passages are taken from literary or academic
work and then interpreted and explained in a detailed way. When using this technique, you need to clearly present your thesis
in the introduction and follow it up with a detailed analysis of a passage or text. You may begin the body of explication by
analyzing and explaining how the text was constructed. It should end with a concise conclusion by restating your thesis and
major arguments.
3. CLARIFICATION is a method of explanation in which the points are organized from general abstract idea to specific and
concrete examples. It entails the analysis of the concept by looking at the examples and specifying some of its characteristics
to arrive at one working definition which can be used throughout the paper.

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Signal Words for Clarification
 after all  as an example
 for instance  considering the following
 in short  to clarify
 namely

PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER

A concept paper usually ranges from 500 to 2000 words. The parts of a concept paper may also vary depending on the
nature of the project / activity.

For Academic Research

1. Title Page
 State your research title.
 State your name and school.
 State the date of submission.
2. Background of the Study
 Provide the current state of the field you are researching on
 State the gap in knowledge and problems to be addressed by the research. Provide statistics and previous studies to
prove your claims.
 State the reason why you want to investigate on the chosen topic.
 State the theoretical and practical implications of your proposed research.
3. Preliminary Literature Review
 Provide a theoretical framework. These includes the theory that will guide you in the conduct of your research
 Provide related literature that supports your topic.
 Provide related studies that will help you in conducting the research or analyzing and discussing the data.
 Provide a brief synthesis of the reviewed literature & studies
4. State the Problem/Objectives
 State your general problem in one sentence.
 State your specific research questions or objectives.
5. Abridged Methodology
 Provide the context and participants of the study.
 Provide the instruments to be used.
 Provide the data collection procedure.
 Provide the data analysis scheme to be used.
6. Timeline
 Provide a timeline set in months and year.
7. References
 Provide a list of all books, journals and other resources cited in your paper.

GUIDELINES IN WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER

1. Cost and methodology should be reasonable.

2. The budget, methodology and timeline should be clearly aligned.
3. Use statistics and figures when discussing the rationale for the project.
4. Use no more than five pages (single-spaced) excluding the cover page. Do not overwhelm the readers with details.
5. Never request funding for planning the proposal.
6. Adjust your language to the intended readers.
7. Include the overview of the budget if it is required.
8. Be sure that basic format details, such as page numbers, are incorporated.
Cite your references.

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