MODULE 5

English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – EAPP Subject Teacher: Ma. Veronica S. Dona

WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER

At the end of this module, the student will be able to:

a. define what a concept paper is;
b. determine the ways a writer can elucidate on a concept by definition, explication
and clarification;
c. identify situations in which a concept paper may be effectively used to improve our
society;
d. comprehend various kinds of concept papers; and
e. explain and clarify concepts in different fields.

EXAMINE

Read the sample concept below and note its parts and content.

A SAMPLE CONCEPT PAPER for an ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Lorena A. Brillo, Ph. D

UP Open University
December 1, 2017

Background

Instructional consultation is a basic service to students, and it is an important tool in assessing the relevance of
important basic institutional services. However, as perceived by students, a substantial gap still exists between
the need for instructional consultation information and the current services being rendered by the school.

The post- modernist, process-oriented concept of education has led to policies requiting educators to take a
more active role in the education has led to policies requiring educators to take a more active role in the
education process. The notion of a dialogic interactive curriculum where knowledge-creation and
negotiation are emphasized is a 21st century byword, making learning more authentic and meaningful to
students. The 21st century curriculum has been described as one that is generative, outcome-based, and
interactive, marked by meaningful transaction between teacher and student.

Project Description

Objectives
 To analyze the current instructional consultation program of the higher education unit
 To assess students’ perception and attitude towards the current instructional consultation process

Expected outcomes
 Improved student-teacher relationship, resulting in optimized institutional goals
 Adoption of improved instructional consultation practices in support of the institutional goals.
 The study could influence policies for students across all disciplines regardless of attitude towards
instructional consultation. The study could also change the way teachers regard

their role in instructional consultation in the context of a learning paradigm that insist on collaboration.

Indicators of achievement
 Increased number of students availing of their instructional consultation privileges
 Improved consultation rooms
 Increased number of teachers rendering consultation beyond their required consultation hours
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – EAPP Subject Teacher: Ma. Veronica S. Dona

Main Activities
 Writing letters
 Drafting questionnaires
 Consulting with experts on the matter
 Distributing questionnaires and collating data
 Interpreting results
 Consulting with statistician
 Interviewing respondents
 Organizing intra-school visit to learn best practices from peers

Project Needs and Cost (P17,000)

Communication (P12, 000.00)

Travel to and from the interview sites
Token for the respondents and consultant/s
Other incidental expenses
Professional fee for statistician

Supplies (7,000.00)
Books and other learning resources
Photocopying expenses
Library fee

Duration and Target Date of Completion

January 1- June 30, 2018

Concept Paper Defined

A concept paper is an academic written discourse that explains a concept, often about
something that the writer is thoroughly familiar with and passionate about. As you will note in the
given example, it is a summary structured to highlight the significant parts of a more
comprehensive research. Usually, a concept paper is the preliminary part of an academic
research, written to obtain permission to undertake the research project, or to obtain funding for
it. In senior high school and in college, chances are, you will be required to submit a concept
paper before being allowed to proceed with your research assignment. This is to ensure that you
know the scope and demands of your writing assignment.

Functions of a Concept Paper

In addition to being an “accompaniment” to a full-blown research, the concept paper

explains what the project is about. It also explains the reason for conducting the project and how
it will be carried out. Perhaps because it contains some parts found in research paper, it is
sometimes mistaken for a full-length research paper. However, you should be careful to make the
distinction between the two. A concept paper is merely a “prelude” to the research you intend
to carry. In explaining the what, why, and how of your intended project, you are defining your
concept. Think of it as your plan of action, your vision, the preliminary phase of your research
project. As the preliminary version of your research project, your concept paper’s aim should be
clear: to gain the approval of important stakeholders so you can proceed and carry out your
research project.

In the sample concept paper, the concept was introduced by giving background
information about the topic’s significance and the perceived need for it. The sample concept
paper also includes information about the aims of the project and why it is important to conduct
it. This information is contained in the expected outcomes. This part is meant to convince the
research adviser or the head of the funding agency to approve it.

Another basic information that you should include in the concept paper is the manner of
implementation, or how you will carry out the project. Readers of your research—including your
research adviser and possibly the head of the funding agency—need to be convinced of the
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – EAPP Subject Teacher: Ma. Veronica S. Dona

viability of your project or the likelihood that your project will meet the expected outcome/s at
the designated time. The information you will include in this section is just as important as the
Introduction and Objectives section because this is where you convince your reader that you
have planned out your project so well that you can envision when you will start and complete it.

Structure of a Concept Paper

There are conventional ways to structure your concept paper. However, you may vary the
heading, subheading and their content and arrangement depending on the nature of your
project.

For a Funding Agency

If you want to obtain funding for your project and you’re submitting your concept paper
to a funding agency, you may outline your concept paper this way:

Parts of a Concept Paper for a Funding Agency/ Organization

Cover Page
 name of the proponents and the organization to which they belong
 contact information
 date of submission

Introduction
 reasons why the funding agency should fund your project

Rationale or Background
 the need that will be addressed by your project
 the project’s significance

Project Description
 goals and objectives of your project; benefits and methodology
 evaluation of success of outcomes; indicators of achievement


Project Needs and Cost

 main budget (with item description and amount)
 personnel or equipment needed

For an Academic Research

The following basic information should comprise the content of your concept paper if your
concept paper is a prelude to your academic research:

Parts of a Concept Paper for an Academic Research

Title Page
 research title
 name and school
 date of submission

Background of the Study

 current state of the field you are researching on
 reasons why you want to undertake your research topic
 practical implications of your proposed research
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – EAPP Subject Teacher: Ma. Veronica S. Dona

Preliminary Literature Review

 theoretical framework
 related studies
 brief synthesis of the reviewed literature and studies

Statement of the Problem/Objectives

 general problem
 specific research questions or objectives

Abridged Methodology
 contexts and participants
 instruments, data collection, data analysis

Timeline
 time frame (set in months and year)

References
 list of all books, journals, and other learning resources.

Techniques in Writing a Concept Paper

A concept paper may be explained using different methods of paragraph development,

namely: definition, explication, and clarification.

Definition

Definition is the method of describing a given concept and making its meaning clear
by means of giving a description, examples, and illustrations.

A formal definition explains the concept using general classifications and

differentiating characteristics of that concept. The dictionary uses formal definitions. On the
other hand, an informal definition, as the term, implies, uses more familiar words and
examples to define a concept.

The following example uses dictionary entries or existing knowledge paradigms in

defining social activism:

The dictionary defines social activism as the use of direct, often confrontational actions
such as demonstrations or strike, rallies or other mass acts rather than supporting a cause.
Further, it is an action directed at cultivating changes, practices or policies to effects social
change. The traditional duty of a social activist includes interacting with policy makers to
make sure a relevant plan of action is carried out. The term also conveys being attuned to
societal conditions directly affecting the community. In traditional sense, a social activist is
expected to take concrete actions—usually in a dramatic and drastic way to institute
changes that would benefit society as a whole.

Explication

Another way of writing your concept paper is through explication. It is the method
of explaining a concept or issue by borrowing sentences, verses or passages from an
academic or literary work and explaining these thoroughly in relation to the concept being
explained.
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – EAPP Subject Teacher: Ma. Veronica S. Dona

Another way of using this technique is by clarifying a concept or issue through the
thesis statement explained in a detailed way. In the following example, note how the thesis
statement was used to explain the concept:

Due to the evolving concept of authentic social activism, it should no longer be equated with
hard-core radicalism reflected in anti-government stance and slogans. (thesis statement) In
its truest sense, social activism means being an active believer in the power of nation-
building where concerned citizens are willing and able to participate in the affairs of the
community. A person who is detached from the affairs of the nation is far from being a social
activist. Because it is now devoid of its radical connotation, social activism has come to
mean everyday heroism. Far from its left-wing feature, social activism has now evolved into
the kind of activism that translated into concern for others.

Clarification

Clarification is another technique that involves organizing ideas from abstract, or

those not readily understood, to concrete examples, or those not easily understood. This
technique involves analyzing the concept by looking at the examples and then drawing
out a definition based on this information.

In the following example, the concept of social activism has been explained using
combination of definition, explication, and clarification.

Nowadays, social activism seems to have distanced itself from its subversive-driven
connotation. In the face of changing social, political and historical contexts, social activism
is now defined as going beyond its radical feature. It now means being one with the nation
in its quest for social justice. It used to be associated with left-wing movement and rallying
for reform the hard-core way. Social activism is no longer about fighting the government in
the quest for social reform but about answering the call for nation-building and all its
attendant goals: to help fight poverty and injustice and find the mist proactive solutions to
some society’s most pressing problems.

Guidelines for Writing a Concept Paper

1. Do a thorough research on your chosen topic. Read more than just one learning
resource and explore as many articles about the topic as you possibly can to make sure
you have a thorough understanding of your research project.

2. Outline important ideas to make sure you have included the significant details, including
target date of completion and estimated cost. Outlining is an important prewriting
activity that can guide you in formulating important aspects of your topic. From the
outline, you can decide how to proceed with your writing task.

3. Write each part one at a time, based on your outline. Think of your writing assignment
as one big chunk that you have to divide into separate parts. Approach the task as you
would normally approach any chore—focusing on one difficult task first without losing
sight of the less important tasks.

4. Be realistic when you set your goals and timeline. Calendar your activities and
anticipate possible setbacks. You might wish to set your timeline by estimating exactly
how many months you are away from your target date of completion. From there, you
can plan your activities in view of the remaining weeks left before the deadline.
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 5 – EAPP Subject Teacher: Ma. Veronica S. Dona

5. Capitalize on the obvious advantages of your project description, for this is the part that
will determine the merit of your project. Justify the reasons why you are undertaking the
research project and make this clear to stakeholders. Discuss what makes your research
project different from those that have been undertaken before and explain the benefits
of your research project not only to your particular discipline but to greater majority.

Pre-recorded audio lecture – Module 5: Writing a Concept Paper

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ac352skhhGb60_8A5JAGgPDQvjyA_Hs1/view?fbclid=IwAR3VI
5XTF_QeEPfgCqWuBoW9mycSvlyOUPiV8jbnQ3qWiq8mriwZAyCUBko

“How to Write a Concept Paper”

http://simplyeducate.me/2012/10/31/how-to-write-a-concept-paper/

Barrot J., Sipacio, PJ. Communication Today. (2016). English For Academic and Professional Purposes for
Senior High School. Quezon City, Philippines: C& E Publishing, Inc.

Billanes, L. A. (2019). English for Academic and Professional Purposes Skills and Strategies for
Academic Discourse. Quezon City, Philippines: TechFactors Inc.

Go, R. S. (2019). English for Academic and Professional Purpose (Second Edition). Makati City,
Philippines: DIWA Learning Systems Inc.

Refer to your Canvas account for your FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT and QUIZ.