Writing a
z Concept Paper
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During the campaign period for the national elections, you
most certainly hear candidates talking about their platforms
and their plans for the country if they are elected. Even in the
student council elections in your school, the same thing is also
conducted. All these people want their voters to see the
improvements they want to implement, so that the latter can
decide if they worth the vote. In the academic and professional
setting, an institution or agency is able to decide whether a
certain project or research is worth the investment through the
concept paper.
z What is a Concept Paper?
Prior to the submission of a project 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. A 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.
z A concept paper has several uses:
First, it serves as a foundation of the full proposal.
Second, it helps determine whether a certain project is feasible
or not.
Third, it is used to pique the interest of the potential funding
agencies.
Finally, it is used to obtain information feedback on the ideas
prior to preparing the full proposal.
Three Ways in Explaining a Concept
Before writing
z your concept paper, you have to learn how to
explain your concept first.
1. Definition is the method of identifying a given term and
making its meaning clear. Its main purpose is to clarify and
explain concepts, ideas, and issues by answering 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 illustration and examples, 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.
Ex: 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
(specific) the genera; 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 anti-oxidant.
iii. An extended definition is a detailed way of defining a term and is usually
compost of at least one paragraph. This type of definition incorporates
various pattern of development (e.g., formal and informal definition,
comparison and contrast, narrative description, classification, functional
analysis, process, analogy, and cause and effect to explain a given concept.
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Ex.: Subsequent to materials design is the preparation of
learning materials. Learning materials refer to both printed and
non-printed objects or items in teachers and learners use to
facilitate language learning. Nowadays, material becoming
more and more sophisticated, incorporating authentic language
sample and realias that help make a connection between
classrooms and real-life activity. They also incorporate
information and communication technology (ICT), role-play
information-gap activities, songs, taped transcripts, intergrate
and macroskills, explicit rubrics.
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To better present ideas, you should identify the important
elements contained in a definition. These includes the term
being defined, the detailed explanation, and the specific
examples. The following signal words will also help you in
writing this kind of text.
Signal Words for Definition
as defined for instance means to define
for example is defined as such as to illustrate
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2. Explication
An explication is 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. When using this technique, you need to clearly present
your thesis in the introduction and follow it up with a detailed
analysis and explaining how the text was constructed. Your
explication should end with a concise conclusion by restating
your thesis and major arguments.
3. Clarification
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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.
The following signal words will help in writing this kind of text.
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 in particular specifically to clarify
for example in short stated differently to illustrate
Parts of a Concept Paper
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A concept paper usually ranges from 500 to 2000 words
and is usually divided into several parts. The following
sections discussed in this lesson are merely suggestions for
the content of the paper; ultimately, the project proponent
needs to follow the format and design required by the
funding agency.
This parts of a concept paper may also vary depending on
the nature of the project/activity.
Concept Paper for a Project
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Use the following structure when you want to propose a
certain tangible project in your outline.
1. Cover Page
State the name of the proponents and their affiliations.
State the addresses, contact numbers, and email addresses
of the proponents.
State the head of the agency and his/her contact information.
State the date of submission.
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2. Introduction
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State the information about the funding agency show that you
understand its mission.
State the mission of the agency that the proponents represent and
align it to the funding agency’s mission. Also, state the year the
proponents’ agency was established, its major accomplishments,
and other details that demonstrate its capability to undertake the
proposed project.
Present and describe other partner agencies and why they are
qualified as such.
Provide reasons why the funding agency should support the project.
3. Rationale or Background
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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 project.
Present the methodology (sometimes termed as Action Plan, Project
Activities, or Approach).
Present the timeline expressed in months and year.
State the benefits or anticipated outcomes.
State how success of outcomes will be evaluated.
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5. Project 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
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Use the following structure when you intend to present an idea
or concept for a research you like to pursue.
1.Title Page
State your research title.
State your name and school.
State the date of submission.
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2. Background of the Study
Provide the current state of the field you are researching on.
State the gap in knowledge and problems to be addressed by
the research. Provide statistics and previous studies to prove
your claims.
State the reasons why you want to investigate on the chosen
topic.
State the theoretical and practical implications of your
proposed research.
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3. Preliminary Literature Review
Provide a theoretical framework. The theoretical framework
includes the theory that will guide you in the conduct of your
research.
Provide related literature that supports your topic.
Provide related studies that will help you in conducting the
research or analyzing and discussing the data.
Provide a brief synthesis of the reviewed literature and studies.
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4. State of the Problem / Objectives
State your 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.
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6. Timeline
Provide a timeline (e.g. Gantt chart) set in months and year.
7. References
Provide a list of all books, journals, and other resources cited
in your paper.
Guidelines in Writing a Concept Paper
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Follow the guidelines below to come up with a well – written
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.
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4. use no more than five pages (single-space) 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 readers. You may use
technical terms if readers are scholars and scientists.
However, refrain from using jargon when your target readers
are lay persons.
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7. include the overview of the budget if it is required. If not,
then skip the budget section. In place of this, you may simply
include the type of support you may need such as personnel,
travel and communication, and equipment.
8. Be sure that basic format details, such as page numbers,
are incorporated.
9. Cite your references.
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CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
____1. Rino fails to indicate the page number in
his concept paper.
____2. Andrew included a literature review for the
concept paper he made for his term paper.
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CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
____3. Geryl includes in the references all journals
he used but excludes the books he cited.
____4. Thea made her timeline independent from
the details in the methodology.
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CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
____5. Yana requested a budget from funding
agency on the preparation of the concept paper.
____6. Sharee states her objectives in the
methodology section.
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CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
____7. Maxine sticks to one format every time she
submits concept paper to various funding
agencies.
____8. Ellie uses data from government agencies
to prove the existence of a problem that she an 1
her team would like to address.
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CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
____9. Irish clarified the working definition of the
concept she is preparing to ensure that the reader
understood it properly.
____10. When Theresa know that her target
readers are lay persons, she defined the technical
terms that she used in the concept paper.
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REINFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
Think of a household problem in your family. Using a minimum
of 300 words and a maximum of 700 words, make a short
concept paper to present your solution to this problem. The
budget section is optional.
Short bondpaper
Times New Roman, 12
1.5 spacing
1” margin on all sides
