The Dual Nature

of A Concept
Paper
At the end of the period, the
learners are expected to:
 explain the dual nature of concept paper;

 identify the rhetorical strategies and paragraph organization in an

extended definition
Identify if the given statement is
either TRUE or FALSE.
_______________1. Concept paper is an in-depth analysis of any idea, situation
or practice.
_______________2. A concept paper examines the nature of something.
_______________3. Concept paper is purely a definition.
_______________4. This present ideas for consideration by others.
_______________5.Comparison and contrast is an example of rhetorical
strategies.
The Dual Nature of A
Concept Paper
A concept paper is an in-depth analysis, situation or practice.
It can be anything that you find significant:
 it can be feeling (What is self-esteem?)
 a cultural practice (What is Filipino time?),
 a belief (What is transmigration?),
 a situation ( What is same-sex marriage?)
 A concept paper examines the nature of something.
How?
To accomplish this, you need to explain in full a simple definition of the
term. In other words, you need 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 new perspective to the concept.
Concept paper as extended definition
VS concept as project proposal.
Concept paper as extended definition Concept as project proposal.

Objective
- Explanation of an idea, theory, - Seeks to present an idea for
practice or principle consideration by others

- Informing the target audience - Entails persuasive intent

- Examines the nature of - It is an initial outline of the

something, using rhetorical proposed project
questions
The Concept Paper as
Extended Definition
To ensure that your reader understands the concept that you’re defining, a
combination of several rhetorical strategies is used to extend definition.
 Example:
To clarify the meaning of “Integrity”, you can give examples of behaviors and
situations that demonstrate it.
 Comparison and Contrast
This is advisable when the term is not too familiar or popular with the audience. What
you can do is to compare and contrast it with something more popular or familiar to the
audience.
E.g. The concept of imperialism. = a landowner being driven out of his land by an
intruder attempting to steal the property from the owner.
 Description (giving details)
Physically describe something by giving its dimensions (shape, size, color,
texture), parts and functions.
E.g. ATM is a rectangular storage that is attached on wall of banks.

Nonphysical description can be done by giving characteristics to define

something.
E.g. “Malicious” intent, you can use synonyms like “malevolent” and “spiteful”
 Recount of Sequence (Giving Historical background)
This may enlighten the audience about the meaning of the concept. This will be
useful when a concept’s definition has gone changes in time.

E.g. Before femininity are qualities or attributes regarded as characteristics of

women.
Nowadays, it is associated for being independent, outspoken,
compassionate and kind, regardless of the gender.
 Analysis
can be done by discussing the idea’s components and/ or
implications. Implications is a far-reaching consequences of a concept.

E.g. In defining “globalization”, you can explain one of its

consequences or result: the homogenization of cultures as a result of frequent
exchanges and interaction between and among countries becoming very easy.
Style of Definition
Definition style may be formal or informal, or technical or popular.
1. Formal definition (denotative meaning) – a concept is defined by;
(a) first giving the class to which the term belongs
(b) then, by discussion of the characteristics that make the term different
from other related terms.
- In science this approach is called genus et differentia
E.g.
Sole proprietorship it is a business that is owned and operated by one person.
2. Informal definition (connotative meaning) – may be based on a person’s
personal views.

3. Technical definition – use of technical language or specialized vocabulary of a

field, which is not easily understood by a person who lacks the necessary
background or training.
E.g. In Mathematics, a set is a group whose members are called elements of
the set. A member of a set is said to belong to the set. If one set contains every
elements of another set, then the second set is a subset of the first.
4. Popular definition – it is in contrast with the technical definition.
- it uses layman’s language and is thus easy to understand

E.g. A set is a group of things that belong together. Often the group members
can be subdivided into subgroups. For example, a family is a group of people
who are related by blood. One subgroup of the family is the parents: another
subgroup is the children.
Organization of Extended
definition
1. Extended definition commonly follow a deductive order.
(Deductive order means a general statement that defines the term,
followed by sentences that develop and detail the general statement. In
visualization, it is like an inverted/ upside down pyramid. )

General Statement

Breaking Ideas into chunks

 2. Another way of structuring a definition paper is by saying “what it is not
“and then saying “what it is.”
E.g. You may define love by;
saying what it is not: it is not selfish, it does not seek harm, etc.
what it is: it is other-person centered, it seeks the happiness and
protection of the beloved
(Note: This style leans toward creative writing.)
 3. A chronological structure is appropriate for topics whose definition has
changed through time.

E.g. 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 multifaceted
concept: it can be physical, moral or economic.
(In defining the concept “Sole proprietorship” you start by saying its class which is a business.
While it’s followed by distinguishing characteristics which is being owned and operated by one
person.)

Note: You may extend the definition by perhaps comparing it with a company.

A formal definition often what is required in academe.

It uses research-based information.