Module 2.
6: Writing a Concept Paper
Concept Paper is an in-depth analysis of any idea, situation, or practice. It can be on anything that
you find significant: it can be a feeling, a cultural practice, a belief, a situation. It examines the
‘what-ness’ or nature of something. To accomplish this, you need to explain in full a simple
definition of the term. In other words, you have to extend the definition. A concept paper/extended
definition is written to inform, if the topic or concept is unknown to the audience. However, if the
audience has some understanding of the subject, it is written to introduce new information or
dimension that gives a new perspective to the concept.
Rhetorical Strategies
1. Example – is a fitting strategy especially if the term you’re defining is abstract. For example,
to clarify the meaning of integrity, you can give examples of behaviors and situations that
demonstrate it.
2. Comparison and contrast – is advisable when the term is not too familiar or popular with the
audience. What you can do is compare and contrast it with something more popular or familiar to
your audience. For instance, the concept of imperialism may not be known to many and therefore,
difficult to explain, but if you use a parallel situation of a landowner being driven out of his land
and the intruder attempting to steal a property from the owner, you might find some success in
your effort.
3. Giving details through description is another strategy: you can physically describe something
by giving its dimensions (shape, size, color, texture), parts, and functions, as in defining what an
ATM is. Nonphysical description can be done by giving characteristics to define something. For
example, to define malicious intent, you can use synonyms like malevolent and spiteful.
4. Giving historical background may also enlighten the audience about the meaning of a concept.
This strategy is particularly useful when a concept’s definition has gone through changes in time.
A good example is the meaning of femininity. Certainly the concept’s meaning has changed given
the socio-cultural changes that every community goes through. You can do research to improve
the content of your definition.
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5. Analysis to extend a definition can be done by discussing the idea’s components and/or its
implications. Implications are the far-reaching consequences of a concept. For example, in
defining globalization you can explain one of its consequences: the homogenization of cultures
(or cultures losing their uniqueness and becoming very similar) as a result of frequent exchanges
and interaction between and among countries becoming very easy.
Types of Definition in Terms of Style
1. Technical Definition – makes use of technical language or specialized vocabulary of a field,
which is why it is not easily understood by a person who lacks the necessary background or
training.
2. Popular Definition – makes use of layman’s language and is thus easy to understand.
In terms of organization, an extended definition may follow a deductive order: A general
statement that defines the term, followed by sentences that develop and detail that general
statement. For instance, the first sentence of each paragraph mentions an attribute or characteristic
of the term being defined, followed by details to explain the said attribute/characteristic. Let us
say that effective leadership is characterized by a balance between gentleness and firmness, then
perhaps examples of situations that illustrate that balance be presented in the succeeding sentences.
A formal definition often follows this structure.
Another way of structuring a definition paper is by saying what it is not and then saying
what it is. For example, you may define love by saying what it is not: it is not selfish, it does not
seek harm, etc., and then ending by saying what it is: it is other-person centered, it seeks the
happiness and protection of the beloved. This style leans toward creative writing.
A chronological structure is appropriate for topics whose definition has changed through
time. For example, during the Middle Ages, beauty was defined as __________. In the
Renaissance Period, beauty was _____________. In the early 19th century beauty meant
__________. Today, beauty is a multi-faceted concept: it can be physical, moral, or economic.
Language Points
The present tense is usually used when defining a term, with the past tense often reserved
for tracing the historical development of the concept.
Use of indefinite article in the 1st part of the definition
Use of restrictive relative clause in the 2nd part of the definition
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Restrictive relative clause:
Relative pronoun + verb to be (present tense or base form) + prepositional phrase(s)
Ex: Helium is a gas which consists of two protons, two neutrons, and two electrons.
Relative pronoun + verb to be (present tense) + prepositional phrase(s)
Ex: Enamel is a hard, white inorganic material that is on the crown of a tooth.
Passive verb + additional information
Ex: A theater is a building specifically designed for dramatic performances.
Relative pronoun + adjective ending in –ble, + additional information
Ex: A robot is a mutliprogrammable device that is capable of performing the work
of a human.
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