CONCEPT PAPER

WHAT IS A CONCEPT PAPER?

 It is an idea or a concept and explains its essence in order to clarify
the “whatness” of that idea or concept
 It answers the questions: what is it and about it (Dadufalza
1996:183).
 It starts with a definition, either formal of informal, of the term or
the concept and proceeds with an expanded definition and an
analytic description of the aspects of the concept
PURPOSES OF A CONCEPT
PAPER
 1. To clarify meaning of words, or to correct misinterpretations, or
misuse of a term.
 2. To stipulate the meaning of a term by limiting, extending, or
redirecting the sense in which a term is usually understood; to use a
term, borrowed from another field of knowledge, in a special way.
THREE WAYS OF
ELUCIDATING A CONCEPT
1. DEFINITION
is a logical technique by which the meaning of a term is revealed.
Definition is important because it clarifies the meaning of a word or
a concept and it also limit the scope of that particular word or
concept. Limiting the scope controls and avoids misinterpretations,
vague notions, and/or broad ideas.
 TECHNIQUES OF GIVING
DEFINITION
1. Formal – follows a pattern or equation:
 term + genus + differentia (differentiating characteristics)
 Ex. A robot is a machine that looks like a human being and performs complex
acts of a human being (Webster)
2. By synonym- using a word or phrase that shares a meaning with the term
being defined. Ex: Hashish – marijuana.
3. By origin or semantic history – Ex. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit “to join”
4. By Illustration – Ex: Known for their shedding their leaves in the fall,
deciduous trees include oaks, maples, and beeches.
 TECHNIQUES OF GIVING
DEFINITION
 5. By function – Ex: A thermometer measures temperature change.
 6. By analysis (Breaking down wholes into parts, aspects into levels, and a process into
steps) Ex: The republican form of government has three branches: the executive, the
legislative, and the judiciary.
7. By contrast- use of opposites
 Ex: Unlike those of gas, the particles of plasma are electrically charged.
8. By negation – stating what a term is not.
 Ex: Wild rice, an American delicacy, is not rice at all but the seed of a tall aquatic
grass.
2.EXPLICATION
 is an attempt to reveal the meaning by calling attention to implications, such as
the connotations of words and the tone conveyed by the brevity or length of a
sentence.
 is a method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or phrases are
taken from a literary or academic work then interpreted and explained in a
detailed way.
 You may begin by analyzing how the text was constructed and end with a concise
conclusion by restating your major arguments.
 Explication not only illuminates a piece of literature, but also serves to remind
the readers about its historical setting and formal properties of style and
language.
3. CLARIFICATION
 it is a method of explanation in which the points are organized from
a general abstract idea to specific and concrete examples. The
analysis of the concept is done by looking at the examples and
specifying its characteristics.
SIGNAL WORDS FOR
CLARIFICATION
After all for instance namely that is
As an example in other words
put another way to be specific
Consider the following example
in particular specifically
To clarify for example in short
stated differently