EAPP Lesson Terminologies: Concept Papers, Argumentation, Position Papers, and Technical Reports

A comprehensive vocabulary review of 80 terms covering concept papers, rhetorical definitions, argumentation and debate, position paper writing, and technical report methodology.

Concept

An abstract idea, general notion, plan, intention, or conception.

Concept Paper

A text that defines an idea or concept and explains its essence to clarify its "whatness," beginning with a formal or informal definition and proceeding with an expanded definition and analytic description.

Theory (in Concept Papers)

A conceptual foundation derived from numerous academic articles that must connect with experience in a concept paper.

Experience (in Concept Papers)

A practical foundation derived from day-to-day observation that must connect with theory in a concept paper.

Deductive Reasoning

A reasoning process used to examine real-life phenomena that proceeds from the general to the specific.

Inductive Reasoning

A reasoning process that produces a theory from bits and pieces of information, proceeding from the specific to the general.

Definition

A rhetorical mode used to explain a new idea, thought, or concept that clarifies the meaning of a concept, limits its scope, and answers the question "What does it mean?"

Scientific Definition

A method that defines concepts in the most factual way.

Subjective Definition

A method that defines objects in a personal way.

Formal Definition

The most common definition technique where a term is defined by identifying its class (genus) and the characteristics that distinguish it from other terms (differentia).

Term (Formal Definition)

The specific word or expression that is to be defined.

Genus

The classification or category to which a defined word or term belongs.

Differentia

The specific characteristics that distinguish a defined term from other terms within the same class or genus.

Extended Definition

Essay-length texts that use various rhetorical patterns—such as describing, comparing and contrasting, and cause-and-effect—to provide readers with a holistic definition of a concept or term.

Definition by Etymology

Defining a term by tracing its linguistic origin or historical derivation.

Definition by Contrast

Defining a term by differentiating it from its opposites.

Definition by Example

Defining a term by providing concrete instances or illustrative cases.

Definition by Synonym

Defining a term by substituting or pairing it with a word or phrase that has a similar meaning.

Definition by Function

Defining a term by explaining what purpose it serves or what it is used for.

Definition by Analogy

Defining a term by comparing it to another object, concept, or idea that shares similar characteristics.

Definition by Negation

Defining a term by explicitly stating what it is not.

Definition by Illustration

Defining a term by narrating specific incidents or using descriptive examples.

Definition by Likeness and Similarity

Defining a term by using concepts that resemble or share close similarities with one another.

Explanation (Concept Development)

A mode of clarifying a concept by providing concrete examples.

Explication

A mode of explaining a concept that employs critical interpretation.

Introduction (Concept Paper)

The opening section of a concept paper where a topic of genuine interest is selected, a thesis statement and outline are formulated, and citations with appropriate note-taking techniques are integrated.

Body (Concept Paper)

"The Main Event" of writing that elaborates on the specific claims made in the thesis statement and develops topic sentences for each supporting point.

Conclusion (Concept Paper)

The closing section that summarizes the body of the paper and relates the importance of the concept to a specific field or the world in general.

Argumentation

A discourse process that allows one to express a point of view on an issue, present a well-reasoned defense, and convince others of its validity or logical merit.

Conviction

A strong stance on an issue that can be pointless without a clear basis, requiring firsthand analysis before formulating an argument.

Affirmative Camp (Pro)

The side in an argument or debate that speaks in favor of the claim, topic, or issue.

Negative Camp (Con)

The side in an argument or debate that speaks against the claim, topic, or issue.

Main Claim

The firm stance taken on an issue that strongly phrases the writer's position and is non-factual in nature.

Reasons and Evidences

Elements used to prove the main claim, reflecting how thoroughly an issue was analyzed and understood prior to adopting a position.

Reason (Argumentation)

An explanation of why the main claim should be accepted, which may often be abstract.

Evidence (Argumentation)

Something concrete that demonstrates to readers that there is a clear basis for citing a specific reason.

Explanation (Argumentation)

An argumentative component that carefully maps out reasoning to conclude an argument.

Acknowledging Others' Viewpoints

The practice of recognizing alternative viewpoints before explaining why one does not support them.

Warrant

An underlying belief or principle that demonstrates to readers why the presented reasons make the claim acceptable.

Argument

A rhetorical structure composed mainly of a claim, supporting reasons and evidence, and explanatory reasoning.

Argumentation Formula

The framework formulated by Booth, Collomb, & Williams (2003) stated as: "Claim because of Reason based on Evidence."

Debate

The oral counterpart of argumentative writing where debaters adhere to specific rules, such as time limits and assigned positions.

Formal Debate

An organized argument or contest of ideas in which participants discuss a topic from two opposing sides to convince others that a certain position is worth adopting (American Debate League, 2020).

Argumentative Papers

Written texts that allow readers to review arguments and reread unclear sections, presenting one side at a time while also acknowledging oppositions.

Counterargument

The strategy of acknowledging opposing standpoints and then reaffirming your own argument as the most logical solution.

Oppositions

The individuals, camps, or perspectives that disagree with or oppose your stance.

Templates for Entertaining Objections

Sentence frames used to introduce opposing arguments (e.g., "Many lawmakers would probably object that X").

Templates for Acknowledging the Merits of Opposition

Sentence frames used to recognize the validity of opposing views while remaining firm in one's own stance (e.g., "Although I grant that X, I still maintain that Y").

Opposing Viewpoint (Counterargument Step 1)

The initial step in writing a counterargument, where the writer anticipates what an opponent would say when disagreeing with the claim.

Evidence/Explanation of Opposing Opinion (Step 2)

The step in counterargument writing where the writer presents the evidence the opposition relies upon to support their belief.

Rebuttal (Counterargument Step 3)

The core response in a counterargument where the writer directly addresses and challenges the opposition's viewpoint.

Rebuttal Evidence/Explanation (Counterargument Step 4)

The step in counterargument writing that provides factual evidence and reasoning to validate the rebuttal.

Closing (Counterargument Step 5)

The concluding remark that seals the counterargument paragraph.

Position Paper

An academic text requiring exposition of contention, written as an essay of arguable opinion and academic argument on a particular issue.

Issue (Position Paper)

The specific topic or problem being discussed or debated in a position paper.

Argumentative Thesis

The core sentence in a position paper that takes a clear stand on an issue and lists the claims supporting that stand.

Claim (Position Paper)

A statement or argument formulated to support the writer's stand on an issue.

Evidence (Position Paper)

Concrete information, data, or facts used to substantiate the claims in a position paper.

Introduction (Position Paper)

The initial section containing background information regarding the issue, a yes or no question, and an argumentative thesis.

Background Information (Position Paper)

The part of the introduction detailing the context of the issue, addressing the who, what, where, when, and why.

Yes or No Question (Position Paper)

An interrogative statement in the introduction that enables the writer and reader to weigh the evidence supporting the claims.

Summary of Counterclaims

A dedicated section in a position paper that enumerates opposing arguments, highlighting the opposing side's claims so they can be refuted in the body.

Conclusion (Position Paper)

The final section of a position paper that restates the thesis statement, summarizes the main claims, and reinforces the author's stance.

Technical Report

A formal document constructed through investigation, evidence, and structured analysis (not opinion alone) requiring diverse approaches to data collection and treatment.

Background Study (Technical Report)

The technical report section that examines the nature of the problem, the circumstances that created it, and the rationale for addressing it through research.

Relevant Literature (Technical Report)

The section of a technical report that synthesizes prior research studies to support, contextualize, and frame the investigation.

Methods, Materials & Participants

The section explaining data collection and analysis procedures, including participant selection, criteria, and sample size.

Results and Discussion

The section of a technical report that addresses research questions with findings gathered from literature, surveys, interviews, experiments, or online sources.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The concluding section of a technical report that presents broad generalizations derived from the results and discussion.

Research Gap

The specific area or question left unanswered by previous studies that a new study aims to address.

Methods Section (Technical Report)

The part of a technical report detailing data collection and analysis, which justifies participant selection and outlines data privacy and collection steps.

Triangulation

The methodological practice of employing multiple types of data collection to strengthen the credibility and validity of research findings.

Passive Voice in Research Writing

A stylistic convention used in technical writing to emphasize the results and actions rather than the researcher, giving an objective presentation.

Selection Criteria (Technical Report)

An explicit justification outlining who, what, where, and why specific respondents or data sources were selected for study.

Data Collection Procedures

A systematic description of how researchers gathered responses, ensured participant consent and data privacy, and compiled data.

Data Analysis Procedures

A description of how responses were categorized by options chosen, represented via pie charts and bar graphs for frequency and percentage, and subsequently interpreted.

Surveys (Data Collection)

Purpose-built data collection tools crafted strictly around research objectives, providing accessible instructions and clear tasks for respondents.

Short and Answerable Rule (Surveys)

A guideline stating that survey questionnaires should contain fewer than 15 items and be answerable in under 15 minutes.

Ambush Interviews

Surprise, unarranged interviews that researchers are strictly instructed never to conduct out of respect for respondents.

Results Section (Survey Reporting)

The section that pairs raw data tables with plain-language interpretations, recognizing that numbers alone do not make a complete argument.