Words can be

“slippery” because they

can be used differently
by people who have
specific and distinct
experiences, attitudes,
and values. These
backgrounds influence
the way words are used
and interpreted.

EAPP (Saqueton)
Language, in this sense, is
arbitrary in that it may
change from person to
person, from culture to
culture. Thus, in order for
language to communicate,
words must have accepted
definitions.

EAPP (Saqueton)
 Prior to the submission of a
project proposal, proponents
are requested to submit a (1)
summary of what the project is
all about, (2) the reasons for
conducting this project, and (3)
how it will be carried out. The
summary document is called a
concept paper.
 Allows an institution or agency
to see whether a certain
project or research is worth the
shot, and it is known as the
concept paper.

Communicate Today (Barrot)

 It serves as a foundation of the
full proposal.
 It helps determine whether a
certain project is feasible or
not.
 It is used to pique the interest
of the potential funding
agencies.
 It is used to obtain informal
feedback on the ideas prior to
preparing the full proposal.

Communicate Today (Barrot)

1. DEFINITION
2. EXPLICATION
3. CLARIFICATION

Communicate Today (Barrot)

 Purpose: to clarify and explain
concepts, ideas, and things by
answering the questions:
 What is it?
 What does it mean?
 What are its special
features?
 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.

EAPP (Saqueton)
 Clarifies the meaning of a
word / concept
 Limits the scope of that
word / concept
 Avoid misinterpretations,
vague notions, broad ideas

EAPP (Saqueton)
 Formal – explains a term by
incorporating the term to be
defined, class, and
distinguishing features
 Informal – do not include the
distinguishing features
 Extended – are essay length
texts that uses different
rhetorical patterns to show
the meaning of a particular
term / concept

EAPP (Phoenix)
  Term – the word to be
defined (species)
 Class – the general category/
group where the term
belongs (genus)
 Distinguishing Features –
qualities that make the term
unique/ different from other
terms in the same category
(differentia)
Term Class Distinguishing Features
A bicycle is a mode of that has two wheels and is
transport powered through the
EAPP (Phoenix) pedaling effort of the rider.
  Done through a
parenthetical or brief
explanation
 Do not include the
distinguishing features

Term Class Distinguishing Features

A chair is a piece of ~none~
furniture

EAPP (Phoenix)
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 to
explain a given concept.
Since not all words / concepts can be
defined using the formal definition
(genus + differentia)
Ex. love, equality, democracy (abstract
concepts)
Usually, they do not only define but
(allows you to broaden your definition)
describe, compare and contrast, show
cause-and-effect relationships, use
analogy, metaphors, analysis, functions,
etymology, and semantic origin to fully
provide the reader a holistic definition of
a term
EAPP (Saqueton)
  To better present ideas, you
should identify the important
elements contained in a
definition.
 These include the term being
defined, the detailed
explanation, and the specific
examples
 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

Communicate Today (Barrot)

 In formal definitions, avoid
using the same term to be
defined (e.g., A cellphone is a
phone..)
 In writing definitions,
observe the concept of
mutual exclusivity. Make sure
that the features of the term
do not overlap with other
similar concepts of the same
class. (e.g., A skateboard is a
mode of transport that has
four wheels.)

EAPP (Phoenix)
 Informal
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is
naturally found in vegetable
oil, fish, and nuts.
 Formal
Vitamin E is a light yellow
fat-soluble vitamin that acts
as an anti-oxidant.

Communicate Today (Barrot)

TECHNIQUES
Formal Definition Class + distinguishing
features
Definition by Analysis A definition in which we
plumb the logical depth and
the essential characteristics
of the underlying entity are
analyzed
Definition by Etymology The origin of the word was
traced
Definition by Example The contrast is further
established by giving
examples
Definition by Synonym Using a similar word or
phrase to define a word
Definition by Function Stating what the term is for
Definition by Analogy Comparing the term to
another object/concept/idea
that shares the same
characteristic as the term
being defined
Definition by Points out the similarities and
Comparison and differences respectively
EAPP (Saqueton)
Contrast
 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.

Communicate Today (Barrot)

 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.
Communicate Today (Barrot)
 SIGNAL WORDS FOR CLARIFICATION
After all For instance Namely That is
As an In other words Put another To be specific
example way
Consider the In particular Specifically To clarify
following
For example In short Stated To illustrate
differently

Communicate Today (Barrot)

Defines 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 what about it.
Starts with a definition, either
formal or informal, of the term
or the concept and proceeds
with an expanded definition
and an analytic description of
the aspects of the concept.
EAPP (Saqueton)
To stipulate the meaning of a
term by limiting, extending, or
redirecting the reference or
sense in which the term is
commonly understood or to use
in a special way a term
borrowed from another field in
which it is made to apply.
 A concept paper can be
subjective because the writer
can choose what areas to
emphasize, what explanations
and analyses to include and
exclude, and what complex
ideas have to be simplified.
EAPP (Saqueton)
A clear definition of words
and ideas is important to make
sense of language and in order
to address the differences in
the perception of people,
especially in dealing with
abstract concepts.
 Thus, even if the concept
paper tends to be subjective,
the writer still has to make sure
that concepts are clarified and
explained in such a way that
the readers can understand
and make sense of the
connections.

EAPP (Saqueton)
 Usually ranges from 500 to
2,000 words
 Parts of a concept paper
may also vary depending on
the nature of the project/
activity

Concept paper for a project

Concept paper for academic
research
Communicate Today (Barrot)
The introduction covers the essential
background needed for the concept as
well as the thesis statement.
The paragraphs of the body help explain,
explicate, or define the concepts for
readers to understand the topic.
Each paragraph uses at least two
supporting details to clarify the concept.
The conclusion presents the summary of
concept paper as well as restatement of
the thesis.
Adequate transitions are used to make
sure that each paragraph and ideas in the
sentences are connected and organized.
The language used in the piece can be
easily understood by the intended
audience of the work.
The essay is free of grammatical errors
and all sources have been listed in the
reference list.
EAPP (Phoenix)
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 (single-spaced)
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.
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 basic format details, such as page
numbers, are incorporated.
9. Cite your references. Communicate Today (Barrot)
CONTENT
 Is the thesis of the essay clear?
 Is there a reason for this
essay? What is the
significance of the topic? Is
the topic sufficiently
researched?
 Are the details relevant to the
thesis?
 Does the writer exhibit a
thorough knowledge of
his/her topic as shown in the
presentation of the ideas?
EAPP (Saqueton)
ORGANIZATION
 Is the lead interesting?
 Are the major points clear?
 Is there a coherent and
logical sequencing of ideas?
 Is the conclusion
appropriate and satisfying?
 Is the focus clearly defined?
EAPP (Saqueton)
LANGUAGE AND STYLE
 Is the language consistent with
the content of the essay?
 Is the language consistent
throughout?
 Who is the author: Can you “see”
him/her? Can you “hear” his/her
voice as a writer?
 Are the sentences well
constructed?
 Are words appropriately used?
 Is grammar – agreement, tense,
articles, pronouns, prepositions –
correct?
EAPP (Saqueton)
8. Theoretical Framework
9. Proposed Methods/Procedures
10. References