ART OF DEFINING

ART OF DEFINING A
CONCEPT
THE CONCEPT PAPER
WEEK 3
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Define what a concept paper is and distinguish it
from other kinds of academic paper.
Identify the content and structure of a concept
paper using the sample paragraphs and essay.
Use definition and different techniques of defining
to expand the meaning of the concept.
Enhance critical thinking abilities in evaluating the
content and structure of a concept paper.
Write an effective concept paper.
Write the word/phrase at the top of the
paper and fill the rest of the page with all
the things that the word makes you think of,
feel, see, or even smell, without stopping.

Peace of mind
Home
Heroism
True Friendship
DEFINITION-is a statement
of the meaning of a word
or phrase.
 THE
ART OF
DEFINING
 THE ART OF DEFINING

Definition is a mode of paragraph

development that answers the questions:

What is it?
What does it mean?
What are its special features?
The word to be defined may be an object, a
concept, a person, a place, or a phenomenon.
THE PURPOSE OF DEFINING

To clarify meaning of words, or to correct

misinterpretations, or misuse of a term.

To stipulate the meaning of a term by

limiting, extending, or redirecting the
sense in which term is usually understood;
to use a term, borrowed from another field
of knowledge, in a special way.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DEFINING

Definition is important because it clarifies

the meaning of a word or a concept and it
limits the concept of that particular word
or concept.

Limiting the scope controls and avoids

misinterpretations, vague notions, and/or
broad ideas.
TECHNIQUES
OF
DEFINING
TECHNIQUES OF DEFINING
FORMAL DEFINITION

defining the term by giving the class where the term

belongs (the genus)

and the characteristics that distinguish the term

from other terms, known as the differentia.
Example:
Psychology is a branch of science that deals with the study of human behavior.
term genus differentia
LET’S TRY!
Identify the term, genus, and differentia in the following
sentences.
term genus
1. A square is a quadrilateral that has equal
sides and equal angles. differentia
 term
genus
2. Hypertext is electronically linked pieces of
information with connections that allow users
an easy access between them. differentia
 genus differentia
3. Narrative publications consisting of
illustrations, captions, dialogue balloons, and
often focused on super-powered heroes are
called comic books.
term
TECHNIQUES OF DEFINING
EXTENDED DEFINITION

Extended definition is needed to define abstract

concepts. It allows you to broaden your
definition by using analogy, metaphors,
comparison and contrast, descriptions, analysis,
functions, etymology, and semantic origin.
(1) “Democracy” is a form of government in (2) It encompasses social, economic, cultural
which eligible citizens participate equally-- conditions that enable the free and equal
either directly or through elected practice of political self-determination. (definition
representatives- in the proposal, by analysis)
development, and creation of laws. (formal
definition)

(3) demokratia “rule of the people,” which was (4) The term is an antonym to aristokratia “rule of
coined from demos “people” and kratos an elite”. (definition by contrast)
“power” or “rule” in the 5th century BCE to
denote the political systems theme existing in (5) While theoretically these definitions are in
Greek city-states, notably Athens. (definition opposition, in practice, the distinction has been
by etymology) blurred historically. (definition by contrast)

(6) The political system of classical Athens, for example,

granted democratic citizenship to an elite class of free
men and excluded slaves and women from political
participation. (definition by example)
LET’S TRY!
Identify the different techniques in defining as used in
each sample below.
The word Influenza comes from the Italian language
meaning "influence" and refers to the cause of the disease;
initially, this ascribed illness to unfavorable astrological
influences. Changes in medical thought led to its
modification to influenza del freddo, meaning "influence
of the cold".
 LET’S TRY!
Another way to grasp the concept of animatism is to
differentiate the Cebuano terms gahum and kusog. “Gahum” comes
closer to the Tagalog galing acquired power or skill as in the case of
politics, while “kusog” comes closer to the Tagalog lakas, an almost
innate power with connotations of dynamism and energy. Kusog and
lakas are also adjectives that are used in other contexts as in voice
projection, where it means “loud” or “heavy”. Lakas or kusog is a closer
approximation of a powerful mystical force which is an important tribute
of health itself, as reflected in malakas ang katawan, ‘the body is strong.’
THE ART OF
DEFINING A
CONCEPT
THE ART OF DEFINING A CONCEPT
Abstract terms: cannot be defined
through the formal definition similar to
the sample words previously (peace of mind, home,
heroism, true friendship)

Concepts: ideas or principles that

are associated with something
abstract
 In defining concepts, you
provide one or two definitions,
and you make sure that these
definitions are synthesized and
analyzed so that you can arrive
at a clear definition of concept.

When you define a concept,

you are dealing not just with
definitions but with explanations
and examples, as well.
How should you
define concepts?
How should you define concepts?
For an academic piece of writing, you should try to
find definitions from within relevant academic literature. It is
generally not the best idea to find a generic dictionary
definition of the concept. Different academic disciplines often
have their own specific definitions that are not used in other
areas. There is often a difference between the lay (non-
specialized) and specialist definition of a word or concept.

For example, the word “case”, it may connote a

situation or an object that calls for investigation or action. It
may also mean a container designed to hold or protect
something.
Other samples
 Answer the following questions:
1. What technique/s do you
usually use when defining a
term? Explain.

2. Why is it important to use an

appropriate word/s when you
mean something?
Questions?
THE CONCEPT
PAPER
 What is your idea of
a concept paper?

The concept paper 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 (Dadufalza 1996:183).
 THE CONCEPT PAPER
It starts with a definition, either
formal or informal, of the term
or the concept and proceeds
with an expanded definition
and analytic description of the
aspects of the concept.
Several Uses of a Concept Paper
01 First, it serves as a foundation of the full
proposal.

02 Second, it helps determine whether a

certain project is feasible or not.

03 Third, it is used to pique the interest of the

potential funding agencies.

04 Finally, it is used to obtain informal feedback

on the ideas prior to preparing the full
proposal.
 Three Ways in Explaining a Concept

DEFINITION EXPLICATION CLARIFICATION

a method of explanation
a method of
a method of in which sentences,
explanation in which
verses, etc. are taken
identifying a given the points are
from a literary or
term and making organized from a
academic work and then
its meaning general abstract idea
interpreted and
to specific and
clearer. explained in a detailed
concrete examples.
way.
 Three Ways in Explaining a Concept
1. Definition is the method of identifying a given term and making
its meaning clearer. Its main purpose is to clarify and explain concepts,
ideas, and issues by answering the question, “What does it mean?”

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.
1.
 Three Ways in Explaining a Concept
2. Explication 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 passage or text.
 Three Ways in Explaining a Concept
3. Clarification 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.

Clarification
ACTIVITIES
Parts of a Concept Paper
A concept paper usually ranges from 500 to 2000
words and is usually divided into several parts. The
following sections discussed in this lesson are merely
suggestions for the content of the paper; ultimately, the
project proponent needs to follow the format and design
required by the funding agency.
The parts of a concept paper may also vary
depending on the nature of the project/activity. Below are
two outlines of a concept paper based on the context.
Two Outlines of a Concept Paper
Concept Paper for a Concept Paper for
Project Academic Research
Cover page Title Page
Introduction Background of the Study
Rationale or Background Preliminary Literature Review
Project Description Statement of the Problem
Project Needs and Cost Abridged Methodology
Timeline
References
Concept Paper’s Point of View
Subjective/Personal Objective/Impersonal
Light, informal, Serious, formal, literary
familiar, literary

Examples: feature Examples: journal

article, editorial essays, academic &
article, authentic scientific discussions,
materials, inspirational philosophical articles
articles
Basic Content of a Concept Paper
Definition of the Term

Analytic Description

Enumerating of parts, structure, levels stages

Explanation of supporting details

Stating implications
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 five pages (single-
spaced) excluding the cover page.
Do not overwhelm the readers with
details.
5. Never request funding for planning the proposal.
Guidelines in Writing a Concept Paper
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 references.
 Racial Homogeneity in Portland, Oregon
This paper will explore the issue of the lack of racial diversity in Portland, Oregon. First, it will describe
Portland's racial breakdown in the present and in the past, using U.S. Census data, if available, for 1900, 1920,
1940, 1960, 1980, and the most recent data collected in 1998. This paper will then go on to attempt to account
for why Portland's racial breakdown is what it is, looking at possible explanatory factors such as geographical
location, economic activity, and social-cultural attitudes.
The primary research hypothesis is that Portland's relatively low percentage of non- Caucasian
residents can be explained by a combination of factors, including the city's geographical location on the Pacific
Rim (a point of entry for Asians), north of California (a port of entry for Hispanics); the historical development of
its economy from logging, railroad building, fishing, and agriculture, to the present emphasis on high-tech
service-sector activities; the relative lack of available job opportunities in industry calling for unskilled labor; and
a social and cultural environment that has historically been conservative, white, Anglo- Saxon, Protestant, and
intolerant of racial and ethnic diversity (Abbott 1983).
The methodology this research will employ includes a review secondary sources about Portland's
economic, social, and cultural history; sources about the history of Asian, Hispanic, and African-American
immigrant; and sources about the history of immigrants in certain sectors of the economy over time. An
examination of Census and other statistical data will provide information regarding population rates and growth,
employment, and racial diversity.

References: Abbott, Carl. 1983. Portland: Planning, Politics, and Growth in A Twentieth-Century City. Lincoln, Nebr.: Univ. of
Nebraska Press.
Answer the following
questions:
1. How was racial diversity
described in the text?

2. What is the content of the

sample concept paper?

3. How was it structured?

THANK YOU!