Writing a

Concept Paper
What is a concept
3 paper?
- A summary document used to provide an overview of
the project, and helps funding agencies eliminate
proposals that are likely to be disapproved.

- A preliminary document for a proposal that shows

preview of the improvements that the proponent would
like to have implemented.

- Concept papers can be helpful in addressing social

issues especially since they aim to show solutions to
tangible issues which plague society.
A concept paper has
3 several
uses:
- 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.
 Three ways in
Explaining a Concept
 DefInItIon 3
- Method of identifying a given term and making its
meaning clearer.

- Main purpose: clarify and explain concepts, ideas, and

issues by answering the question, “What does it
mean?”.

- This contains the term to be defined and the detailed

exposition of the term through the use of illustrations,
examples, and definition.
 a definition can 3be presented in
three ways:
Informal Definition – done through a parenthetical or
brief explanation.
Example: Tocepherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil,
fish and nuts.
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).
Example: Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an
anti-oxidant.
 3
Extended Definition – 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.

Example: 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 use to facilitate
language learning. Nowadays, materials are becoming more and more
sophisticated, incorporating authentic language samples and realias
that help make a connection between classrooms and real-life
activities. They also incorporate information and communication
technology (ICT), role-plays, information-gap activities, songs, taped
transcripts, integrated microskills, and explicit rubrics.
 3
The following signal words will help in using definition in explaining
your concept paper:

As defined For To define

instance
Means
for example Is defined Such as To
as illustrate
 explIcatIon 3
- 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.

- Thesis statement should be presented in the

introduction, to be followed by detailed analysis of
the passage or text.

- Should end with concise conclusion.

Example: 3
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 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 has unfolded.
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 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
not much more than the other road. The third stanza says both roads were covered in leaves
that had been walked on infrequently, to the extent that the leaves 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 to way”) he doubted he would
ever return to this part of the road. Finally, he says he will tell a 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 his life.
 clarIfIcatIon 3

- Method of explanation in which the points are

organized from a general abstract idea to specific and
concrete examples.

- 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.
 3
The following signal words will help in using clarification in
explaining your concept paper:

After all For namely

instance
That is
As an In other Put another To be
example words way specific
Consider the In specifical- To
following particular ly clarify
For example In short Stated To
differently illustrate
Sample Clarification Text: 3
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, in 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 into an individual, resulting in either an arrest or a
release. To illustrate, if a thief is 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 the act by a band if 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 a
Concept Paper
 3
- A concept paper usually ranges from 500 to 2000
words.

- Usually divided into several parts.

- The parts of a concept paper may also vary depending

on the nature of the project/activity.
Concept Paper
For a project
Cover Page 3
- State the name of the proponents 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 submission.

Introduction 3
- State the information about the funding agency to show that
you understand its 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 or Background
- State the gap in knowledge to be addressed by
the project.

- State the problems to be solved.

- State the project’s significance.

Project Description
3
- State the goals and objectives of the project.

- 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 how success of outcomes will be evaluated.

 3
Project Needs and Cost
- Outline the main budget; include the item
description and amount.

- Explain or justify how the budget will be used.

- List the personnel or equipment needed for the

project.
Concept Paper
For academic
research
Title Page 3

- State your research title.

- State your name and school.

- State the date of submission.

 3
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 reasons 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. It includes the
theory that will guide you in conducting your research.

- Provide related literature that supports your topic.

- Provide related studies that will help you in conducting

or analyzing and discussing the data of your research.

- Provide a brief synthesis of the reviewed literature

and studies.
 3
Statement of the
Problem/Objectives
- State your general problem in one
sentence.

- State your specific research questions or

objectives.
 3
Abridged 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.

 3
Timeline

- Provide a timeline (e.g., Gantt chart)

set in months and year.
Gantt Chart: 3
 3
References

- Provide a list of all books, journals,

and other resources cited in your
paper.
 Guidelines in
writing a
Concept Paper
 1. Cost and methodology3should 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.
 3 planning the proposal.
5. Never request funding for

6. Adjust your language to the intended readers. Refrain

from using jargons.

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.
 3

9. Cite your references.

Thank you for
Listening <3