Writing a

concept paper
What is a concept paper?
• Priorto the submission of the of a project proposal,
proponents are requested to submit a summary of what
the project is all about, the reasons for conducting the
project and how it will be carried out. This summary
document is called a concept paper.
• Concept paper provides an overview of the project and
helps funding agencies eliminate proposals that are likely
to be disapproved.
• Hence,it helps save time and effort for both the
proponents and the funding agencies.
 A concept paper has several uses:

1. It serves as a foundation of the full proposal.

2. It helps determine whether a certain projects is feasible or
not.
3. Itis used to pique the interest of the potential funding
agencies.
4. It is used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas prior to
preparing the full proposal.
 Three Ways in Explaining a Concept

1. Definition is the 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?” 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.
A definition can be presented in three ways: informal, formal or
extended
i. An informal definition is done through a parenthetical or brief
explanation.
Example: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil, fish
and nuts.
ii. A formal definition explains a term by incorporating the term to
be defined (species), the general category of the term (genus)
and the quality that makes that term different from other terms in
the same category (differentia).
Example: Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin acts as an
anti-oxidant.

iii. An extended definition is a detailed way of defining a term and

is usually composed of at least one paragraph. This type of
definition incorporates various patterns of development (e.g.,
formal and informal definition, comparison and contrast, narration,
description, classification, functional analysis, process, analogy and
cause and effect) to explain a given concept.
Example: Subsequent to materials design is the presentation of 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 macroskills, and explicit rubrics.

Signal words for definition: as defined, for example, for instance, is defined as,
means, such as, to define, to illustrate and etc.

2. Explication is a method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes

or passages are taken away from a literary or academic work and then
interpreted and explained in a detailed way.
Sample Text:
Explication of “The Road Not Taken.”
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 his choice is 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 who roads instead of being confined to one. He looked as far as he could to
see what was ahead on one road he could have taken ,but he was limited to seeing
only as far as where it turned and disappeared in the bushes. In the second stanza he
says he took the other road because it was grassy and was possibly better because it
was less travelled, though not much more than the other road. The third stanza says
both roads were covered in leaves that had been walked on infrequently, to the extent
that the leaves covering them had not been made black for tramping feet. He also says
he continued on the road he chose, and because he knew that one thing leads to
another (“way leads on the way”) he doubted he would ever return to his part of the
road. Finally, he says he will tell the story when he is much older(“Somewhere ages
and ages hence”) that he had the choice of taking one road over another, and having
taken the one he did made big difference in his life.
3. Clarification is a method of explanation 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.

Signal Words for Clarification: after all, as an example, consider

the following, for example, for instance, in other words, in particular, in
short, namely, put another way, specifically, stated differently, that is, to
be specific to clarify, to illustrate and etc.
Sample Clarification Text:

Justice is a broad concept which encompasses a wide set of ideas, most of which also
branch out into smaller notions. For instance, it can refer to the sentencing of a criminal
based on due process. When an individual gets what 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. Poetic is also another related concept which is used in
literature to show how the good is always rewarded while bad forces always meet a
grim end. In the context of this paper, justice will be clearly delineated into any instance
in which the law is successfully and fairly applied to an individual, resulting in either an
arrest or a release. To illustrate, if a thief is caught and tried in court through due
process and is found to be guilty and then sentenced accordingly, it can be said that
justice was served. However, if the same thief is caught in the act by a band of villagers
and was beaten right then and there, it will be considered justice in the context of the
paper, as process has not undergone due process.
PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER

1. COVER PAGE
• State the name of the proponent and their affiliations
• State the addresses, contact numbers, and email addresses of the
proponents
• State the head of the agency and his or her contact information
• State the date of submission
2. INTRODUCTION
• State the information about the funding agency to show that you
understand its mission
• State the mission of the agency that the proponents represents and align it
to the funding agency’s mission.
• Present and described other partner agencies and why they are qualified as
such.
• Provide reasons why the funding agency should support the project.
3. RATIONALE OR BACKGROUND
• State the gap in knowledge to be addressed by the project
• State the problems to be solved
• State the project’s significance
4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
• State the goals and objectives of the projects
• Present the methodology
• Present the timeline expressed in months and years
• State the benefits or anticipated outcomes
• State how success of outcomes will be evaluated
5. PROJECTS NEEDS AND COST
• Outline the main budget; include the item description and amount
• Explain or justify how the budget will be used
• List the personnel or equipment needed for the project
CONCEPT PAPER FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH
1. TITLE PAGE
• Research title
• Name and school
• Date of submission
2. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
• Provide the current state of the field you are searching on
• State the gap in knowledge and problems in the research
• State the reasons on the chosen topic
• State the theoretical and practical implications of the proposed research
3. PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW
• Provide a theoretical framework.
• Provide related literature
• Provide related studies
• Provide a brief synthesis of the reviewed literature and studies

4. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM OR OBJECTIVES

• State the general problem in one sentence
• State your specific research questions or objectives

5. ABRIDGE 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 (e.g. Gantt chart) set in months and years

7. REFERENCES
• Provide a list of all books, journals, and other resources
cited in 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 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 reader.
7. Include the overview of the project if it is required. If not, then skip the budget section.
8. Be sure that basic format details, such as page numbers, are incorporated.
9. Cite your references.
THANK YOU!!!
PREPARED BY:
Rochelle Ann Bonete
Hazellete Kitoy
Rica Espinola