SLG No.

4: Chapter 3: Writing a Concept Paper

Subject Code/Number: APLD 01
Subject Description: The development of communication skills in English for academic and
professional purposes.
Time Frame: Week 1 / Second Quarter

I. Introduction
“It doesn’t really matter if you are left behind the back, but what matters is your capacity
to pull and push everyone by your way to get to the front.” (Johnson, M. B.) This module
will guide in the pursuit of the said goal by which you will be learning how to
conceptualize things creatively yet objectively in writing. Prepare your weapons as we
will now be battling a “pen” war. Let’s attack!

A. Learning Competency
1. Determines the ways a writer can elucidate on a concept by definition, explication
and clarification;
2. Compare and contrast various kinds of concept papers: Home Economics; ICT; etc.
3. Presents a novel concept or project with accompanying visuals/graphic aids

B. Learning Outcomes
Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. craft a concept paper

II. Learning Content

LET’S READ THIS!

The Concept Paper

A concept paper is a document written to convince potential funders to sponsor

product, program or service. Concept papers are summaries of projects or issues that
reflect the interests, experience and expertise of the writer or organization. An idea
about a certain subject has to be developed for others to understand.

A concept paper serves as a prelude to a full paper. What is the full paper all about? The
full paper may be a thesis, a program, a project, or anything that will require a longer
time to prepare.
OTHER EXAMPLES IN DIFFERENT FIELDS:
1. “Concept Paper on Development of a Model Market Analysis Program”
2. “Report of the Seventh Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management”
3. “The Fundamentals of Third Generation Science Park Concept”
4. “The Concept of Tele-cooperation and Virtual Enterprises in the Regional Tourism
Business”
5. “The Research Concept Paper for Redefining Telecommunication Legislation and
Regulatory Environment in Fiji for Improved Economic Growth and Social Development”

THE ART OF DEFINING

Definition is a mode of paragraph development that answers the questions: What is it? What
does it mean? What are its special features?
Definition is important because it clarifies the meaning of a word or a concept and it also limits
the scope of that particular word or concept. Limiting the scope controls and avoids
misinterpretations, vague notions, and/or broad ideas.

Techniques of defining:

1. FORMAL SENTENCE DEFINITION – include the term, class, and distinguishing

features. The term is the word to be defined, class is the group where the term belongs,
and the distinguishing features are qualities that make the term unique.

Term Class Distinguishing Features

A bicycle is a mode of transport That has two wheels and is powered through
the pedaling effort of the rider.

2. EXTENDED DEFINITION – is needed to define abstract concepts. It allows you to

broaden your definition by using
Etymology – the origin of the word
Synonym – using similar word or phrase to define a word
Analogy – comparing the term to another object/concept/idea that shares the
same characteristic as the term being defined
Comparison and contrast – giving the similarities and differences
Definition by negation – defining by what is not
By function – giving the purpose

1. Love is a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that ranges from interpersonal
affection.
2. It can refer to an emotion of a strong attraction and personal attachment.
3. The word “love” can have a variety of related but distinct meanings in different contexts.
Many other languages use multiple words to express some of the different concepts that in
English are demoted as “love”; one example is the plurality of Greek words for “love” which
includes agape and eros.
4. Love may be understood as a function to keep human beings together against menaces
and to facilitate the continuation of the species.
5. Although the nature or essence of love is a subject of frequent debate, different aspects of
the word can be clarified by determining what isn’t love (antonyms of “love”). Love as a
general expression of positive sentiment (a stronger form of like) is commonly contrasted with
hate (or neutral apathy); as a less sexual and more emotionally intimate form of romantic
attachment, love is commonly contrasted with lust; and as an interpersonal relationship with
romantic overtones, love is sometimes contrasted with friendship, although the word love is
often applied to close friendships.
6. Abstractly discussed love usually refers to an experience one person feels for another.
Love often involves caring for or identifying with a person or thing (cf. vulnerability and care
theory of love), including oneself (cf. narcissism).
7. Psychology depicts love as a cognitive and social phenomenon.
8. Evolutionary psychology has attempted to provide various reasons for love as a survival
tool.
9. The philosophy of love is a field of social philosophy and ethics that attempts to explain the
nature of love.
10. The Apostle Paul glorified love as the most important virtue of all. Describing love in the
famous poetic interpretation in 1 Corinthians, he wrote, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does
not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-keeping, it is not easily
 angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

3. EXPLANATION – Another way of developing a concept is through explanation. This can

be done by providing examples or situations that will help readers understand the
meaning of a certain term or concept. Take the example below:

Example:

The 21st century Filipino no longer portrays the madwoman in the attic since she has finally
acknowledged her worth as an individual. She is now instead the image of the 21 st century
Filipina, in authentic human flesh and disguised as Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW),
executive in the industry, public official, or in occupation/field where she receives
compensation used to be atypical to and denied of the formerly home-maker, domesticated
wife, fragile daughter, the second-class citizen, the interior sex: The madwoman from the
attic.

4. EXPLICATION – employs a critical interpretation of a concept. This is a process by

which concepts are defined for scientific, logical or systematic purposes.

Example:

Every Filipina woman is an endless source of endless possibility. Her person embraces the
role of responsible daughter, steadfast sister, generous aunt, and indifferent employee, a
consistent ex-lover, a bill settler, a person who knows exactly to uncomplicated matters for
each member of the family; yet she knows not to identify what she has long wanted for
herself. She may have won the battle against men for equal opportunity; but she has lost and
forgotten the spirit that drove her to win battle. She can hardly recognize herself, perhaps,
who she had been, as an individual who once had an underrated self-image…

In order to clearly define your concept, remember these following tips:

1. In formal definitions, avoid using the same term to be defined (e.g., A cellphone is a
phone…”)
2. In writing definitions, observe the concept of mutual exclusivity. Meaning, make sure that
features of the term do not overlap with other similar concepts of the same class.
(e.g., A skateboard is a mode of transport that has four wheels)

III. REFERENCES
Barrot J., Communicate Today: English for Academic and Professional Purposes,
2016, C & E Publishing, Inc.

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=concept+paper+examples