WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER

What is it?
 This is a summary of what the project is about prior to the submission of a project proposal.
 This provides an overview of the project, and helps funding agencies eliminate proposals that are likely
to be disapproved.
 This must show a preview of the improvements that the proponent would like to have implemented.
 This can be helpful in addressing social issues aiming for solutions.

Uses:
 It serves as a foundation of the full proposal.
 It helps determine whether a certain project is feasible or not.
 It is used to pique the interest of the potential funding agencies.
 It is used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas prior to preparing the full proposal.
 Before writing your concept paper, you have to learn how to explain your concept first. You can
accomplish using:

*Definition *Explication *Clarification

1. DEFINITION
 The method of identifying a given term and making its meaning clearer.
 This mode of explanation contains the term to be defined and the detailed exposition of the term through
the use of illustrations, examples, and description
Ex. Hashish-marijuana

There are 3 ways in presenting definition:

A. Informal B. Formal C. Extended
A. Informal Definition
 This is done through a parenthetical or brief explanation.
Ex. Tocopheral (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil, fish and nuts.
B. Formal Definition
 This explains a term by incorporating the term to be defined (species), the general category of the term
(genus), and the quality that makes the term different from other terms in the same category
(differentia).
Ex. Vitamin E is a light-yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an anti-oxidant.
C. Extended Definition
 Detailed way of defining a term and is usually composed of at least one paragraph.
 This incorporates various patterns of development (e.g. formal and informal definition, comparison &
contrast, narration, description, classification, analogy, cause & effect).
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.

2. Explication
 A method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or passages are taken from a
literary or academic work and then interpreted and explained in a detailed way.
 Present your thesis clearly in the introduction & follow it up with a detailed analysis of a passage
or text.
 Begin the body by analyzing & explaining how the text was constructed.
 This should end with a concise conclusion by restarting your thesis and major arguments.
Example:
The poem titled “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is about a man reflecting on a choice he
once made. While the outcome of this choice us not implied to be positive or negative the speaker
notes that the choice in itself and the consequences of that choice have made a huge difference in the
way his life has unfolded.
 The poem is about the importance of choices. The poem begins with the speaker regretting that
he could not have been two people so he could have at some point in his life taken two roads instead of
being confined to one…

3. Clarification
 A method in which the points are organized from a 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.

Example:
Justice is a broad concept which encompasses a wide set of ideas, most of which also branch out into
similar notions. For instance, it can refer to the sentencing of a criminal based on due process. When
an individual gets when he deserves, even outside the hands of the law, it is also considered justice in
some contexts. This may come in the form of vigilante justice, in which a person dissatisfied with the
system doles out punishment to wrong-doers.
STRUCTURE OF CONCEPT PAPER FOR A PROJECT

 COVER PAGE
State the name of the proponents; addresses, contact nos. & email address; head of the agency; date
of submission
 INTRODUCTION
Information about the funding agency to show that you understand its mission; provide reasons why
you think the agency should fund the project
 RATIONALE/BACKGROUND
State the gap in knowledge to be addressed by the project; problems to be solved; project’s
significance
 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
State the goals & objectives of the project.
Present the methodology; timeline.
State the benefits or outcomes & how these will be evaluated.
 PROJECT NEEDS & COST
Outline main budget with item description & amount
Explain how the budget will be used
List personnel or equipment needed

STRUCTURE OF CONCEPT PAPER FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH

 TITLE PAGE
State the research title; name & school; date of submission
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Current state of the field; gap in knowledge & problems to be addressed; provide statistics; reasons for
the conduct; implications
 PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical framework; related literature that supports topic; related studies; synthesis
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM/OBJECTIVES
General problem in one sentence; specific research questions or objectives
 ABRIDGED METHODOLOGY
Context & participants; instruments; data collection procedure; data analysis
 TIMELINE
Gantt chart set in months and year
 REFERENCES
List of all books, journals & other resources cited