concept paper
What is a Concept Paper?
Before submitting a proposal, institutions or agencies require the proponents to submit a written plan about the summary of what the project is all about, with its reasons for conducting such project, and its steps in performing the project. The concept paper has its uses:
It is the foundation of the entire proposal.
It shows the feasibility of the project.
It attracts the interests of the different funding agencies.
It provides a room for informal feedbacks about the ideas on the paper prior to the preparation of the entire proposal.
Therefore, a concept paper is the primary document for a proposal. It provides a preview of the proponent’s ideas regarding to the different solutions and improvements the he/she wants to employ. To further understand the concept paper, here are the three ways in explaining a concept that will help in providing your key ideas in writing.
Three Ways in Explaining a Concept
1. Definition. It identifies the given term and make its meaning clearer. It is used to clarify and explain concepts and ideas by considering the question, “what does it mean?” It can be presented in three ways: formal, informal, and extended.
1.1. Informal Definition - brief and parenthetical explanation
Example: A virus is an ultramicroscopic (20 to 300 nm in diameter) organism. Which may cause illness.
1.2. Formal Definition - it incorporates the term to be defined (species), general category of the term (genus), and the characteristic that makes it different from the other terms of the same category (differentia).
1.3 Extended Definition - is a definition with detailed information and mostly composed of a paragraph. It may include the informal and formal definition of the concept.
Example: According to dictionary.com, a virus is an ultramicroscopic (20 to 300 nm in diameter), metabolically inactive, infectious agent that reproduces only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals. It is composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope.
2. Explication. It is a method of explaining clipped verses, quotes, or passages which are taken from literary or academic text. Detailed analysis and explanation are employed in order to elaborate the content of the piece.
3. Clarification. It is an explanation wherein the ideas are organized from a general point of abstract ideas down to concrete points using specific ideas. Signal words for clarification such as in short, after all, in particular, after all, consider the following, specifically, as stated, to illustrate, to clarify, to be specific, etc.
Define Words using Signal Words: such as, means, to illustrate, to define, as defined, for example, for instance, is defined as
Parts of a Concept Paper
A concept paper may have 500-2000 words and is divided into parts. Take note that a concept paper’s format and structure may vary depending on the type of project and the requirement of the target funding agency.
Concept Paper for a Project
1. Cover Page
name of the proponents and affiliations
address, contact number, and email address
head of the agency and his/her contact number
date of submission
2. Introduction
information about the funding agency and understanding about its mission
alignment of its mission to your project
describe and present the qualifications of the funding agency
provide reasons why the funding agency should support your proposed project
3. Rationale or Background
include the gap in knowledge to be addressed by the project
state the problems to be solved
include the project’s significance
4. Project Description
goals and objectives of the project
present the methodology
provide the timeline of the project
include the benefits and its outcomes
include the evaluation process of the project
5. Project Needs and Cost
outline the budget with descriptions and amounts
explain the usage of the budget
list the personnel or materials/equipment to be used in the project
What is a concept paper? Aconcept paper or otherwise known as a pilent or a proposal brief is a concise presentation of ideas about a particular propused project or prodiunt. By protocol, it is a requirement before the submission of a full or detailed project proposal. Why write a concept paper? The purpose of submitting a concept paper is to capture the interest of person or group who is going to find or to be a part of a project. The concept paper should be alike to demonstrate clearly how the ideas in the project work effectively to achieve a purpose, and therefore, worthy of funding consideration. How is it written? A concept paper is composed of major parts, namely: 1. Introduction provides a background of the problem or need; project goals and objectives. 2. Project Description explains the strategies or activities, including contingencies for achieving goals and objectives. It also provides timelines, expected benefits, and outcomes. Moreover, it explains what makes the project or product unique, otherwise known as a unique selling proposition (USP) and how it can stand out among its competitors in the market in accordance with differentiation competitiveness Use appropriate elucidation techniques. 3.Project Requirements list down and rationalize support needed like financial, technical, and manpower support. 4. Conclusion) reiterates the project's unique selling proposition and differentiation competitiveness. It also explains the next course of action. Here are the steps: 1. Plan your concept paper. Use an outline. 2. Be convincingly clear with the main idea or thesis statement about the concept. 3. Use concept elucidation techniques specifically in the Project Description section of your concept paper. Utilize definition and explication or clarification techniques liberally. 4. Use in-text citations in all quoted reference sources, 5. Use appropriate transition words such as moreover, however, as a result of, and finally. 6. Observe appropriate tone. Do not use personal pronouns (For example: 1 or we instead of the researchers). Do not use contractions (For example: I'm for I am or It's for It is).
7. Use the present perfect tense liberally, but appropriately. Check for run-on sentenc errors Refer to Grammar Learning Support for review exercises on pp. 162-168, in this unit. 8. Use new vocabulary learned Introc a graphic ald? Why use a graphic aid? graphic audis any chart or table that is used to present data or What is and graphic representation or an image about a subject. It is used to exhibit data trenail movements, including distribution or shares. The most common are line graph, bar graph, circle or pie chart, and d table. They can be generated using can be software like Microsoft Excel and graphic design software numerical information generated using spreadsheet or websites like Adobe and canva. Using graphic aids in a concept paper has the following pages: It provides strong statistical support to its ideas or claims; it enables readers to grasp relevant data easy and clearly, and it leaves an impression of being scientific and objective in its presentation Illustrator An effective graphic aid has the following characteristics: 1. Appropriate to the data in the concept report. For example: sales trend + line graphi: market distribution-circle graph. 2. Clear and accurate or it summarizes effectively and accurately the data in the concept report. 3. Aesthetically attractive or its visual helps readers understand better the data in the concept paper. How to present concept paper with graphic aid? 1. Make a two-to three-slide presentation of your concept paper using Google Slides. download and access Canva Poster for free. 3. Present it in class in a role-play format such as a talk show.
Guidelines in Writing a 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.
4. Use no more than 5 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 that basic format details, such as page numbers, are incorporated.
9. Cite your reference
Outline: What is a Concept Paper?
Definition of a Concept Paper
Also known as a pilent or proposal brief
A concise presentation of ideas for a proposed project or product
Purpose of Writing a Concept Paper
Capture interest of potential project stakeholders
Demonstrate how project ideas effectively achieve a purpose and justify funding consideration
Components of a Concept Paper
Introduction
Background of the problem or need
Project goals and objectives
Project Description
Strategies, activities, contingencies
Timelines, expected benefits, outcomes
Unique selling proposition (USP) and differentiation competitiveness
Project Requirements
List and rationalize support needed (financial, technical, manpower)
Conclusion
Restate USP and differentiation competitiveness
Explain next steps
Writing Techniques
Plan with an outline
Clearly state the main idea or thesis
Use concept elucidation techniques
Incorporate in-text citations
Utilize appropriate transition words
Maintain an objective tone
Use present perfect tense
Check for run-on sentence errors
Expand vocabulary
Avoid personal pronouns and contractions
Using Graphic Aids in Concept Papers
Definition and Purpose
Charts, tables, images to present data visually
Exhibit data trends, movements, distributions
Characteristics of Effective Graphic Aids
Appropriate to data in the concept report
Clear, accurate, aesthetically attractive
Presentation
Create slides using tools like Google Slides or Canva Poster
Present in a role-play format like a talk show
Guidelines for Writing a Concept Paper
Reasonable cost and methodology
Alignment of budget, methodology, and timeline
Use of statistics and figures
Conciseness (not more than 5 pages)
Adapt language to readers
Overview of budget if required
Inclusion of basic format details
Proper citation of references
Skill: In-Text Citations Writing Skil When writing a concept paper or any report that requires a synthesis of information, in- text citations are indispensable. Proper in-text citation is essential because it indicates extent of scholarship in your work since it presents eited authors who are regarded as experts on the topic of your writing. Furthermore, it demonstrates intellectual honesty in your work as it acknowledges authorities through scientific referencing systems, such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and Modern Language Association (MLA). Under APA 7th Edition, there are two styles for in-text citation: the narrative in-text which is written within a sentence, and the parenthetical in-text which is written at the end of the quoted statement in a sentence or a paragraph. See examples on the next page.
Elucidation is a writing technique that is used to providing a definition of the concept, explicating, or clarifying the concept. explication are common techniques in elucidation. Idea by Definition and ✓ Reading Skill: Recognizing Elucidation Techniques of the Definition. By defining a concept, you need to provide the genus (or the family) of the (or the differentiating characteristics) is called the principle of differentiation. Then, you can extend the meaning of the concept by concept and its differentia explaining in detail the unique characteristics of the concept. concepts in business, For example, a smartphone is a telecommunication device with a small computer that lets From the given examples achat smartphone theuser relecomunication device is the genus and "lets the users access Internet services is is the diferentia, Clarification. Explication is the process of clarifying how a concept works by listening the eyes and the hours of the concept in various situations. For example, in byste Popularity of Smartphones." you can see explication on the concept of smartphone in the way how people socialize and the many ways that they can customize their
Elucidation is a writing technique that is used to providing a definition of the concept, explicating, or clarifying the concept. explication are common techniques in elucidation. Idea by Definition and ✓ Reading Skill: Recognizing Elucidation Techniques Par of the Definition. By defining a concept, you need to provide the genus (or the family) of the (or the differentiating characteristics) is called the principle of differentiation. Then, you can extend the meaning of the concept by concept and its differentia explaining in detail the unique characteristics of the concept. concepts in business, For example, a smartphone is a telecommunication device with a small computer that lets From the given examples achat smartphone theuser relecomunication device is the genus and "lets the users access Internet services is is the diferentia, Clarification. Explication is the process of clarifying how a concept works by listening the eyes and the hours of the concept in various situations. For example, in byste Popularity of Smartphones." you can see explication on the concept of smartphone in the way how people socialize and the many ways that they can customize their phones according to their lifestyles and personality preferences.
Outline for In-Text Citations Writing Skills
Importance of In-Text Citations
Indispensable in concept papers and reports
Indicates extent of scholarship
Demonstrates intellectual honesty
Styles of In-Text Citation under APA 7th Edition
Narrative in-text citation
Parenthetical in-text citation
Examples of In-Text Citations
Narrative in-text within a sentence
Parenthetical in-text at the end of a quoted statement
Elucidation Writing Technique
Definition of the concept
Explicating or clarifying the concept
Techniques in Elucidation
Idea by Definition
Recognizing Elucidation Techniques
Principle of Differentiation
Providing genus or family of the concept
Explaining differentiating characteristics
Explication in Elucidation
Clarifying how a concept works
Illustrating concept in various situations
Example of Explication
Explication on the concept of smartphones
Socialization aspects and customization preferences