CONCEPT PAPER|ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES|WEEK 8 MODULE

Summary

In this lesson, the instructor introduces Grade 11 learners to the concept of writing a concept paper for their English for Academic and Professional Purposes course. The video explores three key methods for explaining a concept: definition, explication, and clarification. The lesson provides practical examples of how to define terms informally or formally, explicate academic texts, and clarify abstract ideas with concrete examples. It aims to equip students with the necessary tools to structure and present their ideas effectively, preparing them for more advanced academic writing, including project proposals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lesson introduces the concept of writing a Concept Paper for academic and professional purposes.
• 😀 The main focus is to teach students how to explain concepts through definition, explication, and clarification.
• 😀 A Concept Paper serves as a preliminary document for a project proposal, outlining its purpose and approach.
• 😀 Concept Papers help determine if a project is feasible and whether it is likely to receive approval or funding.
• 😀 The lesson encourages students to be familiar with writing both informal and formal definitions when explaining concepts.
• 😀 Explication involves explaining an excerpt from a literary or academic text in detail, providing a deeper understanding of the material.
• 😀 Clarification organizes ideas from general to specific, making complex concepts easier to understand for the reader.
• 😀 The concept paper is used to gain informal feedback and to attract the interest of potential funding agencies.
• 😀 The lesson emphasizes that using clear and precise definitions is essential for academic writing and professional communication.
• 😀 Signal words such as 'for instance', 'means', and 'such as' are essential tools for effective explanation and definition in writing.
• 😀 It is important for students to develop both informal and formal definition skills to better explain concepts in their papers.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a concept paper?

The main purpose of a concept paper is to provide a summary of what a project proposal is about, explaining the project’s purpose, how it will be carried out, and its feasibility.

What are the key objectives of this lesson?

The key objectives of the lesson are to explain what a concept paper is, identify its features and uses, and demonstrate how to explain a concept using definition, explication, and clarification.

How is a concept paper different from a project proposal?

A concept paper is a summary that outlines the project’s key details, serving as a precursor to a project proposal, which is more detailed and formal. The concept paper helps determine if a project idea is worth pursuing.

What are some of the uses of a concept paper?

Some uses of a concept paper include serving as a foundation for a full proposal, helping to assess a project's feasibility, attracting potential funding agencies, and obtaining feedback on an idea before developing a full proposal.

What is the difference between an informal and a formal definition?

An informal definition is a brief explanation often included in parentheses, whereas a formal definition is more detailed, typically a longer explanation, often presented in one or more paragraphs.

What is the goal of explication in explaining a concept?

The goal of explication is to explain a concept in detail by analyzing a specific text or passage, breaking it down and explaining its components in depth to better understand its meaning.

What is the role of clarification in explaining a concept?

Clarification involves explaining a general or abstract idea by providing specific and concrete examples, moving from a broad understanding to more specific instances to help make the concept clearer.

Why is it important to use signal words when explaining a concept?

Signal words help guide the reader through the explanation process, indicating how the concept is being defined, explained, or clarified. They structure the explanation and enhance comprehension.

Can you give an example of how to use an informal definition?

An example of an informal definition is: 'Vitamin E (tocopherol) is naturally found in vegetable oils, fish, and nuts,' where the term 'tocopherol' is defined in parentheses.

What is the significance of a concept paper in the context of funding agencies?

A concept paper is important for funding agencies because it provides them with an overview of the project, allowing them to assess whether the project is viable and worth funding before the detailed project proposal is submitted.