LESSON 3

WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER

A. Content Standard
 The learner understands the principles and uses of a concept paper
B. Performance Standard
 The learner produces a well-balanced concept paper in a specific discipline
C. Learning Competencies
 Determine the ways a writer can elucidate on a concept by definition, explication
and clarification
D. Specific Learning Outcomes
 Define what a concept paper is;
 Identify situations in which a concept paper may be effectively used to improve
our society; and
 Make an outline for concept paper

Introduction

In academic writing, specifically in research, dissertation and academic studies, a

concept paper may often be required. This concept paper serves as an introduction to
the next that will be presented.

A concept is something conceived in the mind. It is a term used synonymously

with thought or notion. It may also be defined as an astract or generic idea generalized
from particular instances. One way of communicating a concept is by putting it on
paper, and one form which puts a concept across is this paper that will be elucidated in
this lesson.

To be more specific, concept paper is the abstract and foundation or a means of

proposal for an academic paper that you are currently writing or would like to write
about. The purpose of a concept paper is to gain the interest of the research adviser,
the academic institution, or a funding agency which determines if the academic paper
should be given merit or not. In some institutions, a concept paper is required to be
submitted prior to the research proposal itself
([Link]/orgc/documents/proposal/writing_concept_papre/pdf)

Instruction/Discussion

A concept paper is a precursor or a summary of a research and is used to further

understand topics which are relevant in the academe and the society itself. As a largely
research based academic paper, problems which are commonly answered by the
research itself are presented in the concept paper, thus making it more accessible and
understandable to public consumption. If it is so, these concept papers may answer
societal, economic or civil problems and address them in a way that people could
understand and be sources of valuable information.

Therefore, it can be surmised that a concept paper is an abridged outline of of

your academic paper that is supposed to give reference and information regarding the
course of your writing endeavor. In other words, your concept paper will be a medium
for evaluation whether your academic paper will be approved or denied support or
acceptance from the institution you are proposing it to.

In the workplace, a concept paper is asked before a full proposal. A concept

paper contains a “ concept. “ It contains aproposed idea. It may not be detailed yet,
but it provides a framework of an idea that can be carried out into a proposal (and
eventually , from a proposal into a full paper).

When presented, the concept paper should give a clear picture of what the
research, project, or feasibility study is all about. It clarifies from the very beginning
what the purpose is and what process is necessary to carry out that purpose. It should
demonstrate the worth of the idea and its significance to the beneficiaries.

OUTLINE OF THE PAPER

An outline for a concept paper is always a safe avenue to begin with. Like
preparing for any academic paper, an outline is a necessity to make sure that the
concept paper is coherent and adheres to standards set by the institution in which it will
be submitted to.

The outline that follows excerpted from [Link] is just one

of the many formats of an outline to be used for a concept paper. Different academic
institutions and referencesmay have different formats, therefore, you have to choose
the outline that is approved or recommended by your teacher/institution, or one that
best suits your purpose.

Sample Outline:
I. Objective
II. Introduction
III. Project Description
IV. Methodology
V. Timeline
VI. Benefits
The objective will literally tell your reader about the goals that you want to
achieve in your research. This includes your mission of your research the tasks and
outcomes you want to achieve.
 Introduction is an integral part of any academic text. It is required in every
form or writing manuscripts. This serves as a precursor to what you want to lay down
to your readers. As they say, your introduction is as good as your whole body of work.
With this being said, in academic writing, most writing text requires an introduction is a
work on its own. In doing so, your reader will have an idea about the paper you are to
make or have been working on. Your introduction should be one of the strongest points
in your concept paper.

One useful tip in writing your Introduction is that you should include information
about the funding agency, institution or organization that will be part of your research
and/or will support your endeavor. This will make sure that the machinery behind your
research will be able to acknowledge that you have done your work in understanding
the mission of these agencies and the kind of research they are willing to support.

You can also include an explanation on how your work coincides with the
mission of the prospected institution, agency or organization that will support your
research. This part will show how your research may be used to realize their mission.

Giving a brief description about your proposed project is essential in getting the
attention of your audience and convincing them at your research is worthwhile. This
project description is more like and abstract of the whole written work.

The purpose of your research should be also included in your concept paper. The
explanation of the purpose should be written descriptively so that the readers will have
a clear idea on why the research was or should be conducted.

A short description of the problem that needsto be addressed should be

included. This will show the readers where the research you are proposing will lead to.
Research questions should also be included in this part and briefly include some
supporting texts and documents why these questions, problems or needs should
addressed.

When you are interested in an issue you sometimes forget that not everyone
understands your point of view. With this, make sure that you have explained in this
part why everyone needs to care about the problem you want to answer.

KINDS OF CONCEPT PAPER

A concept paper may be classified into two:

1. Prospective. A prospective concept paper is written

before the research work. As what has been discussed, a
prospective concept paper is more of a proposal to conduct
a research, and how this kind of concept paper is used often to look for funding for a
research undertaking. Being prospective, the verbs in this paper are in the future tense.

2. Retrospective. A retrospective concept paper, on the other hand, is a concise

research that has already been conducted. It gives brief details on the content of a
research and its main purpose is to provide readers a rather smaller picture of a
thorough research, but a larger picture of the research abstract. Being retrospective,
this paper makes use of verbs in the past.

Parts of a Concept Paper

These are the parts of a concept paper.

1. Name or title of the concept- Give your concept a catchy or interesting name.

2. Introduction- Introduce the concept briefly. Tell the reader what the project,
research, or feasibility study is all about.

3. Statement or purpose- In one sentence, write what your purpose is.

4. Objectives- In bulleted or numbered statements, write what your objectives are.

(Remember to observe the principle of parallelism here.)

5. Questions- Write at least three questions (not too narrow and not too broad) that
your idea, if carried out, will answer.

6. Stakeholders/Beneficiaries- List who will be involved in the whole process and

who will benefit from it later on.

7. Short description- Write a short description of your concept. This can be written in
several paragraphs, but try limit yours into three or five paragraphs.

8. Methodology- What process are you going to follow to carry out your concept or
idea into complete reality?

9. Timetable- You can create an illustration, a graph, or a table that will show the
dates or time that you expect a certain task to be done.

10. Conclusion- Write a short paragraph and conclude your concept paper. Your
conclusion should emphasize the purpose and the importance or significance of your big
idea in the paper.

Reflect Upon…

Why is it important to follow a format and consider its parts in writing a

concept paper?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________

Format

The format of your concept paper is the same as your critique paper.

1. Paper size: 8.5”x 11”

2. Spacing: Double-spaced

3. Font: Times New Roman

4. Font size: 12

5. Margins: 1 inch on all sides

6. Footer: Page number (Page ___ of ___)

7. Header: School logo (left side), your name (right side)

Cover Page

The cover page should contain the title of your paper, your name, the name of
your teacher, the date you have submitted the paper, your section/year, and the name
of your school. (Your teacher may also opt to require you to use APA recommended
format. Please refer to OWL Purdue online for the APA cover page format).

TIPS IN WRITING CONCEPT PAPER

When writing your own concept paper, keep in my mind the following tips from
[Link]

1. Structure is the key. A text follows a standard format. Use the structure
given by the institution, organization or agency that you will write for. Your text will
show your personality as obedient, diligent and responsible to the requirements needed
of you.

2. Build your words. Writing a concept paper or any academic text in general,
requires you to create a cohesive and clear text. By following a format or an outline,
you can slowly build your idea from vague to very detailed explanation or description of
your text. Your concept should not be running around the bush nor too confusing that
the reader or sponsor of your project might not want to read the whole text.

3. Start with the end in sight. Writing a preliminary of a research is taking for
most of us, but it is inevitable to undermine the idea of making an abstract or a concept
paper before writing the whole work. Always pick up your pen or open up your laptop
and start writing and researching. The idea is to think why do you need to finish your
project and keep your goal in mind whether you need to pass the subject, finish the
course or for your own self-indulgence.

4. Be objective. Research projects and most academic papers are objective.

Therefore, your concept paper should also be objective and straight-forward. Your
emotions and opinions towards the problem or subject of your research are not needed
in this text. Since your concept paper is a preliminary to the real thing, it should also be
objective by keeping away from your own prejudice, opinion or emotions regarding the
topic you want to tackle.

5. If need be, be persuasive. One of the main purposes of your concept paper
is to convince your reader that your planned work or your proposal is a matter of
importance. Persuading your intended audience is a must in making a concept paper
because you have to use your words in making your reader that your project is
worthwhile and is utmost necessity in your chosen field of expertise.