Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Senior High School Unit

English Department
ENG121: English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Study Guide for the 2nd Quarter Examinations

__________________________________________________________________________________________
Pointers:
Test I. Multiple Choice: Academic, Reaction, Review, Critique and Concept Papers [20 points]
Test II. Modified True or False: Reaction, Review, Critique and Concept Papers [20 points]
Test III. Writing a Reaction Paper [30 points]

Academic Papers

Academic Papers are specialized forms of writing in which a reviewer or reader evaluates any of the following:
a. Scholarly work (e.g., academic books and articles)
b. Work of art (e.g., performance art, play, dance, sports, film, exhibits
c. Designs (e.g., industrial designs, furniture, fashion designs)
d. Graphic designs (e.g., posters, billboards commercials and digital media)

They usually range in length from 250-750 words, not simply summaries but are critical assessments, analyses or evaluation of
different works. advance forms of writing involving skills in critical thinking and recognizing arguments.

Reaction Papers

A reaction paper or response paper is a writer’s commentary about a particular issues/s in the text, it also means one responds to
implied ideas, elaborate, evaluate, and analyze the author's purpose and main points.

Parts of a Reaction Paper

INTRODUCTION (5%) REACTION (in no particular order 75%)

Title of the book/article or work Does the writer explicitly state his/her thesis statement?
Writer’s name What are the assumptions?
Thesis statement What are its contributions?

SUMMARY (10%) Conclusion (10%)

Objective/purpose Overall impression of the work
Methods used (if applicable) Scholarly or literary value of the reviewed article,
Major findings, claims, ideas or messages Benefits for the intended audience
Suggestion for future direction of research

Critique Papers

Critique paper means to review or examine something critically. It is a type of an academic writing where you judge the work of
the author. The commentary of a critique emphasizes on whether or not the author has supported his argument with sufficient
logical reasons and relevant facts.

Parts of a Critique Paper

INTRODUCTION (typically, the introduction is less than 10% of the word length)
o Name the work being reviewed/ date it was created/ name of the author/creator.
o Describe the main argument or purpose of the work.
o Explain the context in which the work was created.
o a concluding sentence that signposts what your evaluation of the work will be (it may indicate whether it is a positive,
negative, or mixed evaluation).
SUMMARY (10%)
o Briefly summarize the main points and objectively describe how the creator portrays these by using techniques, styles,
media, characters or symbols. This summary should not be the focus of the critique and is usually shorter than the
critical evaluation.

CRITICAL EVALUATION (75%)

o give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was
able to achieve the purpose through:
1. Novel- assess the plot structure, characterization and setting.
o give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was
able to achieve the purpose through:
2. Painting- composition, brush strokes, color and light.
o give a systematic and detailed assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the creator was
able to achieve the purpose through:
3. Research/Academic paper- study design and purpose, theoretical theory, level of evidence, sample, data
analysis, data collection.

CONCLUSION (10%)
o A statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work
o A summary of the key reasons, identified during the critical evaluation, why this evaluation was formed.
o In some circumstances, recommendations for improvement on the work may be appropriate

Review Papers

A succinct review of a specific topic that provides sufficient and in-depth interpretation and synthesis of published work. It
summarizes the current state of knowledge of the topic. It creates and understanding of the topic for the reader by
discussing the findings presented in recent research papers.

Parts of a Review Paper

Introduction
A. Title of the article or work
B. Writer’s name
C. Thesis statement
D. The topic and indicate its significance
E. Preview of research to be reviewed and the major trends or patterns

Review
A. Survey of the work of the researchers, research methods, and the interpretations
B. Describe the research methods and evaluate how studies were conducted focusing on the study design and analysis

Conclusion
A. Restatement of the rationale and its significance discuss conclusion drawn
B. Discuss implications of one’s review findings and the future direction of research

Concept Papers

A concept paper is putting your ideas into a paper. It includes what the question/problem is, what is already known about
the question, and why the question is worth expending energy on the first place. It also typically includes information
about areas that might be problematic from a research standpoint and also a proposed list of sources. In a lot of ways, a
concept paper is used to focus your thoughts and it might not be seen in an “official” way by anyone else.

Research Proposal is the bit that can actually get a “green light” and allows a person to begin research. It is usually what
would be examined by “experts” in an academic setting. It is more detailed that a concept paper because is has to prove
that the research is needed, and it also has to detail the methods that are going to be used in collecting data.

Research Report is actually doing the work of putting the report together. It includes your research and conclusions. It is
the work that will either be accepted or rejected by those who will read it. A research report follows a strict outline and
must be created with a high level of professionalism.
 The Importance of a Concept Paper

A concept paper can be considered as a research plan. When a student enters a graduate program with a clear research
interest in mind, it helps him/her stay focused in his/her studies. The concept paper enables students to choose an adviser
at the onset of his/her studies which help him/her establish a longer professional relationship with his/her mentor,
allowing a longer time in discussing the direction and future plan of the said research and suits the requirements of his/her
course according to the demand of the said research. The best advantage of requiring a concept paper at the onset is that
it helps the student graduate on time if not earlier.

Five Elements of a Concept Paper

1. Introduction, identifies how and where the applicant’s mission and the funder’s mission intersect or align. It addresses
the reasons why the funder should support projects in the given general area. It also introduces the applicant’s partners
and shows why the partners want to participate in the project.
2. Purpose or Need or Rationale, which outlines what others have written about the general topic and focuses on the gap
in knowledge to be filled, the problem to be solved, or the need to be addressed by the applicant’s proposed project.
Similar to a literature review, this section allows the applicant to state the purpose or need in such a way that the
applicant’s project is the best possible solution to the problem. Also, it often provides statements addressing the
significance of the project (showing why the project should be supported).
3. Project Description, functioning as the solution to the problem, the answer to the need, or the investigation that will fill
the knowledge gap. In this section, the applicant addresses the unique, unusual, distinctive, innovative, and/or novel
aspects of the approach, showing why the applicant’s team has the best solution and presenting a compelling case for
funding. The project description includes the project’s Goals and Objectives. A goal is an abstract state of being, a
condition, an end, or an aspiration while objectives are statements measurable outcomes that, collectively, will help the
applicant measure progress toward accomplishing the project goal(s).

The project description also includes an overview of the project’s Methodology (sometimes called Project Activities or
Action Plan or Approach). The goals, objectives, and methods (or activities) will need to align closely with each other
and will need to be accomplished within the proposed Timeline, expressed in either months or years. The methods or
activities will need to be congruent with or based on what has been tried in the field in the past, they must be based on
empirical evidence, and they will need to be both reasonable in cost and complexity and accomplishable within the
proposed timeline.
4. Support or Budget, contains either (1) an outline of the main budget categories for the requested project support or (2)
a single bottom-line amount of the request and a brief discussion of how that amount will be used. Some concept papers
may not even include an amount requested.
5. The final section provides the Contact Information of the applicant organization’s chief executive or his/her designee
authorized to make funding requests.

Parts of a Concept Paper *modified for ENG121

Chapter I. Introduction
A. Background of the Study
B. Statement of the Problem
C. Significance of the Study

A. Background of the Study

The background study includes a review of the area being researched, current information surrounding the issue,
previous studies on the issue, and relevant history on the issue. The purpose of a background study is to help you to
prove the relevance of your thesis question and to further develop your thesis.

Should contain:
• The rationale/reason for writing or conducting the study.
• Definition of terms
• Aims of the study
• Presentation of cited references (for IMRaD)
B. Statement of the Problem
Is a concise description of an issue to be addressed or a condition to be improved upon. It identifies the gap between
the current (problem) state and desired (goal) state of a process or product.

Writing a statement of the problem should help you clearly identify the purpose of the research project you will
propose. Often, the statement of the problem will also serve as the basis for the introductory section of your final
proposal, directing your reader’s attention quickly to the issues that your proposed project will address and providing
the reader with a concise statement of the proposed project itself.

Should contain the following:

• The Ideal (positive statement)
• The Reality (the problem)
• The consequence (the solution)
• 5 research questions

Example
Ideal – Allergies are our bodies reactions towards chemicals and substances around us, but this can be prevented
and treated with awareness and over the counter medications.
But..
Reality – Many of the SHS students are not aware of the over the counter (OTC) drugs that can relieve allergies
and many of them are not aware of the possible allergens around the campus that can trigger an allergic reaction
and there are also a number of allergies that a particular student may have.
Consequence – This study would like to explore the different possible allergies that SHS students have and the
possible medications that they can use and also spread the awareness on the importance of knowing immediate
allergy care.
Example:
Ideal: Networking is a good way for young people to invest and gain profit and to make connections and develop
their self confidence.
However….
Reality: Many of these young investors do not know the risks which networking can pose to their investments
and or savings as well as they are not certain that all the people they will encounter are willing to engage in a
similar business or accept them warmly and openly, lastly, they are not fully aware of the “catch” of a networking
scheme.
Consequence: So this study would like to venture into knowing whether students who are engaged in
networking actually know what they are into and somehow inform them of the risks they need to be aware of.

A research question is the question around which you center your research. It should be:
• clear: it provides enough specifics that one’s audience can easily understand its purpose without needing
additional explanation.
• focused: it is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space the writing task allows.
• concise: it is expressed in the fewest possible words.
• complex: it is not answerable with a simple “yes” or “no,” but rather requires synthesis and analysis of ideas and
sources prior to composition of an answer.
• arguable: its potential answers are open to debate rather than accepted facts. You should ask a question about
an issue that you are genuinely curious and/or passionate about.

These are questions that you would like to ask as researchers:

• They should be arranged from simple to complex.
• All questions should be related to the topic at hand.
• They should not be answered by YES or NO.
• Possible answers to the questions should not be found on books or online sources.

Example:
• What is the definition of Financial Management?
• What are the advantages of Financial management?
• What subjects in senior high school are related to or teach concepts on financial management?

Correct Examples:
• What is the definition of Grade 11 ABM students on Financial Management?
 • For Grade 11 ABM students, what are the advantages of Financial Management?
• In the viewpoint of Grade 11 ABM Students, what are the subjects they are taking that teach/tackle concepts
about financial management?

C. Significance of the Study

Is written as part of the introduction section of a thesis. It provides details to the reader on how the study will
contribute such as what the study will contribute and who will benefit from it. It also includes an explanation of the
work's importance as well as its potential benefits.

Write why your study is important to:

• The Society (Zamboanga City)
• The Institution (AdZU SHS)
• The Readers (Students and Respondents)
• Researchers (Future researchers who might use your paper for further study)

Chapter II. Methodology

A. Research Design (QUALITATIVE, CASE STUDY)
B. Sampling Method/Design
C. Research Locale and Respondents
D. Data Gathering Procedure
E. Data Analysis

A. Research Design
• Is defined as a framework of methods and techniques chosen by a researcher to combine various components
of research in a reasonably logical manner so that the research problem is efficiently handled.
• It provides insights about “how” to conduct research using a particular methodology. Define what a Qualitative
Case Study is and why it is appropriate to your topic.
• State why the proponents will employ this design.

B. Sampling Method
• State what type of Qualitative Sampling Method will be used [non-probability sampling: Purposive, Quota,
Snowball, Convenience, etc.]
• Sampling method refers to how you will be selecting your respondents for the study.
• Research on Qualitative Sampling methods and explain why it is appropriate for you topic/study.

C. Locale and Respondent

• Where will the study be conducted? Why there?
• Who will be the participants under study? Why them?

D. Instrument and Data Gathering

• How will you gather data from your respondents? [observation, interview (individual/group,
structured/unstructured), FGD]
• What are the instruments that you will use for the study? [tape recorders, DSLR, video cameras, questionnaires,
microphones, etc.]
E. Data Analysis
• After collecting data, how will you analyze them?
• How will the data be interpreted?
• Research on Qualitative data analysis methods and state why it is appropriate for your topic/study.