WRITING A

CONCEPT PAPER
WHAT IS A CONCEPT
PAPER?
Prior to the submission of a 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.
The paper can be used as a starting point for discussions
about the topic, serve as the basis for a source search of
potential funding agencies, or be included in a query letter to
a foundation to create interest in your proposal.

Concept paper is only four or five pages long and focuses on

the visualization and expression of the basic ideas that should
drive the project.
It serves as a prelude to a full paper. The full paper may be a
thesis, a program, a project, or anything that will require a
longer time to prepare. It is an embodiment of your ideas on
a certain topic or item of interest.
 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 informal feedback on the ideas prior to
preparing the full proposal
3 WAYS IN EXPLAINING A
CONCEPT PAPER
 1. Definition
 A definition can be presented in three ways:
a. Informal definition is done through a parenthetical or brief
explanation
Ex. Tochopherol ( Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil, fish and
nuts.
b. 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 the term different from other terms in the same
category (differentia).
Ex. Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an anti-
oxidant.
 c. 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.

 Ex. Subsequent to materials design is the preparation of learning

materials. Learning materials refer to both printed and non-printed
objects or items that teachers and learners uses to facilitate language
learning. Nowadays, materials are becoming more and more
sophisticated, incorporating authentic language samples and realias
that help make a connection between classroom and real-life
activities. They also incorporate information-gap activities, songs, tape
transcript, integrated macroskills and explicit rubrics.
 Signal words for definition

As defined For instance Means To define

For example Is defined as Such as To illustrate
 2. EXPLICATION

 It 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 of a passage or text. You
may begin the body of the explication by analyzing and explaining
how the text was constructed. Your explication should end with a
concise conclusion by restating your thesis and major arguments.
 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 this 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 was unfold
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 two roads instead of being confined to one. He looked as far as he could to see what was
a ahead on one of the roads 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 that
not much more than the other road. The third stanza says that both road were covered in
leaves that had been walked on infrequently, to the extend that the leaves that covering them
had not been made black from 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 this 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 a big difference in life.
An Exceerpt from: http://efford.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/8/3/
13833564/poetryexplicationexample.doc
 3.CLARIFICATION

 Clarification is a method of explanation in which the points are

organized from a general abstract idea 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  For example
 Consider the  For instance  In short
 Following  In other words  Namely  Stated differently
 In particular  Put another way  That is
 Specifically  To be specific
 To clarify
 To illustrate
 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, I which a person dissatisfied with
the system doles out punishment to wrong-doers. Poetic justice 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 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 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
the process has not undergone due process.
PARTS OF PAPER
 A concept paper usually 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 paper; ultimately, the project proponent needs to
follow the format and design required by the funding
agency
 The parts of a concept paper may also vary depending on
the nature of the project/activity. Below are the two outlines
of a concept paper based on the context.
Concept paper for a project
Use the following structure when you want to propose a certain tangible
project in your discipline.

1.COVER PAGE
 State the name of the components 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 submissions.
2.INTRODUCTION
 State the information about the funding agency to show that you
understand the 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 AND BACKGROUND
State the gap in knowledge to be
addressed by the project.
State the problem to be solved.
State the project’s significance.
4.PROJECT DESCRIPTION
 State the goals and objectives.
 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 bow success of outcomes will be evaluated.
5.PROJECTS NEEDS and COSTS
Outline the main budget; include the item
description and amount.
Explain or justify how the budget will used.
List the personnel or equipment needed for
the project.
 CONCEPT PAPER FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH
USE THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURE WHEN YOUN INTEND
TO PRESENT AN IDEA OR CONCEPT FOR A RESEARCH YOU
WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE.

1. Title
State your research title.
State the your name and school.
State the date of submission.
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 reason why you want to investigate on the
chosen topic.
State the theoretical and practical implications of your
proposed research.
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.
4. Statement of the problem/objectives
State your general problem in one sentenced.
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 year.

7.References
Provide a list of all books, journals, and other
resources cited in your paper.
 Guidelines in Writing a Concept Paper
 Cost and methodology should be reasonable
 The budget, methodology, and timeline should be clearly aligned
 Use statistics and figures when discussing the rationale for the project
 Use no more than five pages (single-spaced) excluding the cover page. Do not overwhelm the
readers with the details
 Never request funding for planning the proposal
 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.
 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
 Be sure that the basic format details, such as page numbers, are incorporated
 Cite your references.