DEFINITION OF A

CONCEPT PAPER
-an -can be on anything that
you find significant:
in-depth analysis of any ￮ It can be a feeling
idea, situation, or (What is self-
practice. esteem?)
￮ A cultural practice
(What is Filipino
Time?)
￮ A belief (What is
transmigration?)
￮ A situation (What
is same-sex
marriage?)

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 DEFINITION OF A
CONCEPT PAPER
examines often asked for goes beyond the
by an definition to
‘what-ness’ organization prior convince the reader
or nature of to the to implement or
something— presentation of a support the
full-blown project proposed concept or
to explain in project--not only
proposal. Often
full a simple short, between 1-3 intended to inform,
definition of pages, the but it also aims to
the term– to concept paper persuade the
serves as an audience like a
extend the concept paper used
initial outline of
definition as an outline of a
the proposed
project proposal
project
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 PURPOSES/
2 TYPES OF A
CONCEPT
PAPER
PURPOSES/TYPES OF A CONCEPT PAPER
CONCEPT PAPER AS EXTENDED CONCEPT PAPER AS OUTLINE
DEFINITION OF A PROJECT PROPOSAL
-written to inform, if the topic or
concept is unknown to the audience -seeks to present an idea for
-written to introduce new consideration by others, possibly for
information or dimension that gives funding or support; hence a
a new perspective to the concept if concept paper also entails a
the audience has already some persuasive intent
understanding of the subject
-targets the explanation of idea,
theory, practice, or principle per se,
for the purpose of informing a target
audience
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 CONCEPT
ED PAPER AS
EXTENDED
DEFINITION
 PURPOSES OF A DEFINITION
To clarify To stipulate To use a term,
meaning of the meaning of borrowed from
words, or to a term by another field of
correct limiting, knowledge, in a
misinterpretati extending, or special way
ons, or misuse redirecting the Ex: “Window dressing” –
of a term sense in which a used to make a shop
term is usually window more attractive to
understood buyers. It is stipulatively
used in a false banking
report to deceptively
project an impression of
economic stability or
financial growth
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4 TYPES OF
DEFINITION
In terms of style, a definition may be formal
or informal, or technical or popular.
TYPES OF DEFINITION
Formal Definition Informal Definition
meaning required in the academe
-uses research-based information
may be just based on a person’s
concept is defined through giving first personal views
the class to which the term belongs and
then proceeding to a discussion of the
characteristics that make the term Ex. Beautiful
different from other related terms
-In Science, this approach is called genus It means being white and flawless.
et differentia.
Example: Meaning of “sole
proprietorship”
It is a business (class) that is owned and
operated by one person (distinguishing
characteristic).
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TYPES OF DEFINITION
Technical Definition
makes use of technical language
or specialized vocabulary of field,
which is why it is not easily
understood by a person who lacks
the necessary background or
training
Ex. Meaning of the word “set”
A set is a group whose members are
called elements of the set. A
member of a set is said to belong to
the set. If one set contains every
element of another set, then the
second set is a subset of the first.
Popular Definition
makes use of layman’s language
and is thus easy to understand
Ex. Meaning of the word “set”
A set is a group of things that
belong together. Often the group
members can be subdivided into
subgroups. For example, a family is
a group of people who are related
by blood. One subgroup of the
family is the parents; another
subgroup is the children.
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5 RHETORICAL
STRATEGIES
USED TO EXTEND
A DEFINITION
In order to elaborate the definition of a
concept, the following ways are used:
RHETORICAL STRATEGIES USED
TO EXTEND A DEFINITION

1. GIVING EXAMPLES OF THE TERM

▪ This is used if the term you’re defining is abstract.

For example, to clarify the meaning of integrity, you can

give examples of behaviors and situations that
demonstrate it.

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 RHETORICAL STRATEGIES USED
TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
2. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
▪ This is advisable when the term is not too familiar or popular with the
audience. What you can do is compare and contrast it with something
more popular or familiar to your audience.

For example:
The concept of imperialism may not be known to many and
therefore, difficult to explain, but if you use a parallel situation of a land
owner being driven out of his land and the intruder attempting to steal the
property from the owner, you might find some success in your effort.
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 RHETORICAL STRATEGIES USED
TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
3. GIVING DETAILS THROUGH DESCRIPTION

▪ This intends to physically describe something by giving its

dimensions (shape, size, color, texture,) parts, and functions as
in defining what ATM is. Nonphysical description can be done
by giving characteristics to define something.

For example:
to define ‘malicious’ intent, you can use synonyms like malevolent
and spiteful.
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 RHETORICAL STRATEGIES USED
TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
4. GIVING HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

▪ This strategy is useful when a concept’s definition has gone

through changes in time.

For example:
In the meaning of femininity. Certainly, the concept’s meaning has
changed given the socio-cultural changes that every community
goes through. You can do research to improve the content of your
definition.
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 RHETORICAL STRATEGIES USED
TO EXTEND A DEFINITION
5. ANALYSIS

▪ It is done through discussing the idea’s components and/or its

implications. Implications are the far-reaching consequences of
a concept.

For example:
In defining ‘globalization’ you can explain one of its consequences:
the homogenization of cultures (or cultures losing their uniqueness
and becoming very similar) as a result of frequent exchanges and
interaction between and among countries becoming very easy.
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 WAYS TO
3 ORGANIZE AN
EXTENDED
DEFINITION
An extended definition can be organized
using the following ways:
 WAYS TO ORGANIZE AN EXTENDED DEFINITION
1. DEDUCTIVE ORDER
• The concept is discussed by presenting first the general statement that
defines the term, followed by sentences that develop and detail that
general statement.
In other words, the term is defined from general to specific statements.

For instance: the first sentence of each paragraph mentions an attribute or

characteristic of the term being defined, followed by details to explain the
said attribute/characteristic. Let us say that effective leadership is
characterized by a balance between gentleness and firmness, then perhaps
examples of situations that illustrate that balance can be presented in the
succeeding sentences. A formal definition often follows this structure.
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WAYS TO ORGANIZE AN EXTENDED DEFINITION
2. NEGATIVE-POSITIVE or BY SAYING WHAT IS
NOT AND THEN SAYING WHAT IT IS
• The term is defined first by saying what is not, then, revealing
what really it is.

For example, you may define love by saying what it is not: it is

not selfish, it does not seek harm, etc., and then ending by
saying what it is; it is other-person centered, it seeks the
happiness and protection of the beloved. This style leans
toward creative writing.
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WAYS TO ORGANIZE AN EXTENDED DEFINITION
3. CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
• It refers to the historical development or evolution of the
concept. It is appropriate for topics whose definition has
changed through time.

For example, during the Middle Ages, beauty was defined as

_______. In the Renaissance Period, beauty was ________. In the
early 19th century beauty meant_______. Today, beauty is multi-
faceted concept: it can be physical, moral, or economic.

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