LESSON 2: WAYS A WRITER ELUCIDATE ON A CONCEPT BY

DEFINITION, EXPLICATION, AND CLASIFICATION

Concept
- as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary is “an abstract or
generic idea generalized from particular instances ". It is
therefore something that is developed in the mind.
- To be able to write a Concept Paper, one must think of a good
concept first that will embody the whole paper. But to think of a
concept will probably take a lot of time in the process of writing a
Concept Paper. So, to make it a little easier, this module will talk
about the different types of concepts.

Types of Concepts
1. Singular Concepts
- These are particular objects that serves as our units of study,
analysis, or observation.
2. Class Concepts
- These are the collection of objects with similar attributes. These
are used to categorize the units to be studied or analyze.
- examples: Politician, cities, universities, television network, and so
on.
3. Relational Concepts
- These are mainly used in research because they make connections
between units or entities.
4. Variable Concepts
- They distinguish among objects within a class by some underlying
attribute.
- examples: competence (of journalist), clarity (of writing samples),
size (of universities), etc.
5. Mega Concepts
- These are general concepts that are also more abstract and
complex in nature.
- examples: democracy, hope, freedom

Explaining Through Definition

When writers are trying to explain a certain concept, they rely mainly on
definitions. All definitions attempt to explain or clarify a term or concept.
This lesson will introduce you to the three different types of definitions:
(1) formal, (2) informal, and (3) extended.

1. Formal Definitions
- A formal definition consists of three parts: 1) the term, 2) the part
of speech to which it belongs, such as a noun or a verb, and all the
traits or characteristics that are specific to that term.
- example:
 Term: freedom
 Part of speech: noun
 Definition: The power or right to act, speak, or think as
one wants without hindrance or restraint
2. INFORMAL DEFINITION
- In an informal definition, the writer uses known words or
examples to explain an unknown term.
- These definitions may be synonyms or antonyms introduced by or,
in other words, or like.
- Example: Freedom, also referred to as liberty or independence, is
a state people reach when they are free to think and do whatever
they please.
3. EXTENDED DEFINITION
- Extended definitions generally have components of both informal
and formal definitions
- However, as the name suggests, the author uses a number of
other techniques to define a word, concept, or phrase, such as
etymology or word origin, anecdotes, listing and describing, etc.
- Example:
To our colonial forefathers, freedom meant having a voice
in their government. (historical reference) The Revolutionary War
was a last resort against an empire that continued to tax its
colonists without the representation of the colonists in Parliament.
Since the United States won the right to rule itself, our country has
been referred to as "the land of the free and the home of the
brave. (example) True freedom means the ability to think, feel, say,
or act however one chooses. (listing parts) It is a state where the
bars of bondage do not exist. (negation) Unfortunately, the
widening gap between the haves and have nots means that some
are now shackled by their lack of education. (evoke the senses:
shackled) Americans can attain real freedom when everyone has
 the same educational opportunities. (The "example, listing parts,
evoke senses" are written in enclosed parentheses to give you
insights about the flow of your thoughts when writing an extended
definition
EXPLICATION AND EXPLANATION
- Concepts can be explained through different modes or patterns.
Aside from definition, other ways such as explication and
explanation can be used to elucidate on a concept.
- A concept can be developed through explanation by providing
examples or situations.
Ways to Explain a Concept
1. Understand Your Readers
- Understanding your readers must not be devalued because the
more you know what they know and what they also want to
know, the more successful they comprehend the concept you’re
trying to explain.
2. Define your Term
- This is the most common way to explain a concept---to define it.
But there are definitions that are difficult to understand in an
instant. In this case extended definition is more helpful. Do not
ever assume that everyone knows a certain concept already just
because you, yourself know it. There are concepts that are
deemed jargons to other people.
3. Classify and divide the concept into chunks
- Describe how your concept fits into a particular category or how
it can be broken down into parts that can be described more
easily. With this, your reader can see exactly how your concept fits
to a bigger picture, how it can be divided, and how it' s a key tool
that will help you in explaining complex issues.
4. Give an example
- A step-by-step explanation of how a process works or how a
concept is used in practice is a good way to make your readers
understand a complex concept.

WHAT IS EXPLICATION?
- It is the process by which abstract concepts are systematically
linked to observed variations in those concepts in the " real"
world with appropriate methods.
 - It employs a critical interpretation of a concept. It provides other
perspective of a concept.
- It interprets another work by examining the concept/s presented.
Through a critical analysis of points raised in text, a richer
clarification and explanation of the concept is given.

This is accomplished by developing TWO DEFINITIONS

1) CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS
- Specify the meaning of the concepts to be studied; verbal
descriptions of the essential properties the researcher intends to
be included within the concept's meaning because they belong to
a field which could be different from you and the other. If you can
't explain it further to them, you can 't expect them to give you the
response you wanted them to give either.

2) OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
- Procedures by which the concept is to be observed, measured or
manipulated
- Many of each of these types of definitions are possible for a given
concept.

TWO SETS OF PROCESS EXPLICATION

1) Meaning analysis
- Use logical procedures to define concepts with clearly connected
conceptual and operational definitions.
- This takes place when designing research.

2) Empirical analysis
- The reverse process whereby you evaluate the concept based on
empirical evidence.
- Takes place after (at least some) research has been carried out.

7 Cs of Professional writing
1. Clear 5. Correct
2. Coherent 6. Complete
3. Concise 7. Courteous
4. Concrete
Clear
- This writing involves knowing what you want to say before you
say it because often a lack of clarity comes from unclear thinking
or poor planning; this, unfortunately, leads to confused or
annoyed readers. Clear writing conveys the purpose of the
document immediately to the reader; it matches vocabulary to
the audience, avoiding jargon and unnecessary technical or
obscure language while at the same time being precise.
COHERENT
- Coherent writing ensures that the reader can easily follow your
ideas and your train of thought. One idea should lead logically
into the next through the use of transitional words and phrases,
structural markers, planned repetition, sentences with clear
subjects, headings that are clear, and effective and parallel lists.
Writing that lacks coherence often sounds “choppy” and ideas
seem disconnected or incomplete.
CONCISE
- Concise writing uses the least words possible to convey the most
meaning while still maintaining clarity. Avoid unnecessary
padding, awkward phrasing, overuse of “to be” forms (is, are, was,
were, am, be, being), long preposition strings, vagueness,
unnecessary repetition and redundancy. Use active verbs
whenever possible, and take the time to choose a single word
rather than a long phrase or cliched expression.
CONCRETE
- Concrete writing involves using specific, precise language to paint
a picture for your readers so that they can more easily
understand your ideas. If you have to explain an abstract concept
or idea, try to use examples, analogies, and precise language to
illustrate it. Use measurable descriptors whenever possible; avoid
vague terms like “big” or “good.” Try to get your readers to “see”
your ideas by using specific terms and descriptions.
CORRECT
- Correct writing uses standard English punctuation, sentence
structure, usage, and grammar. Being correct also means
providing accurate information, as well as using the right
document type and form for the task.
COMPLETE
- Complete writing includes all requested information and answers
all relevant questions. The more concrete and specific you are, the
more likely your document will be complete as well. Review your
checklist of specifications before submitting your document to its
intended reader.
COURTEOUS
- Courteous writing entails designing a reader-friendly, easy-to-
read document; using tactful language and appropriate modes of
addressing the audience; and avoiding potentially offensive
terminology, usage, and tone. As we have discussed in an early
section, without courtesy you cannot be constructive.

Figure 2.2.1 illustrates one method of putting all the 7Cs together.

Be mindful of the tradeoffs, and always give priority to being clear: writing
that lacks clarity cannot be understood and therefore cannot achieve its
purpose. Writing that adheres to the 7 C’s helps to establish your
credibility as a technical professional