Lesson 6

The Principles In Writing a Concept Paper

CONFIGURING Can you be true to yourself all the time?

We Have Become Untrue to Ourselves!

By: Felix B. Bautista
With all the forms and vigor at my command, I contend that we have relaxed our vigilance, that we
have allowed ourselves to deteriorate. I contend that we have lost our pride in the Philippines , that we
no longer consider it a privilege and an honor to be born a Filipino.

To the Filipino youth, nothing Filipino is good enough anymore. Even their Filipino names no
longer suit them. A boy named Juan does not care to be called Juanito anymore. No, He must be Johnny.
A girl named Virginia would get sore if she was nicknamed Viring or Biñang . No, She must be Virgie or
Ginny. Roberto has become Bobby; Maria, Mary or Marie. And because they have become so
Americanized, Because they look down one everything Filipino they now regard with content all the
things that are fathers and our fathers ‘ fathers held dear’.

They frown kissing the hands of their elders, saying that it is unsanitary. They don’t care for the
Angelus, saying that it is old- fashioned. They belittle the Kundiman, because it is so drippingly
sentimental. They are what they are today because their elders, their parents, and their teachers have
allowed them to be such. They are incongruities because they cannot be anything else! And they cannot
be anything else because their elders did not know enough, or did not care enough to fashion them and
to mold them into the Filipino Pattern.
 This easing of the barrers that would have protected our Filipinism, this has resulted
in something more serious, I refer to the de-Filipinization of our economic life.

Let us face it. Economically speaking, we Filipinos have become strangers in our own
country. And so, today, we are witnesses to the spectacle of a Philippines inhabited by
Filipinos who do not act and talk like Filipinos. We are witnesses to the pathetic sight of
a Philippines controlled and dominated and run by non-Filipinos.

We have become untrue to ourselves, We become traitors to the brave Filipinos who
fought and died so that liberty might live in the Philippines. We have betrayed the trust
that Rizal reposed on us, we are not true to our faith that energized Bonifacio, the faith
that made Gregorio del Pilar cheerfully lay down his life at Tirad Pass.
DECODING
o How does the Author open his speech? Are you convince in this opening statement?
o Give examples that prove that we sometimes allowed ourselves to deteriorate.
o Is the parents’ role in molding their children still significance in this modern age?
How does the author’s choice of word affect the text?
ADVANCING
In our daily activity, may it be in school or in any situation, or encage into something
that will make us explain an idea or concept. In our science class, for example, your
teacher will ask to elaborate the concept about global warming, and because we read
articles about global warming and watch news concerning the issue, it becomes easy for
us to explain the idea. We might be able to elaborate the totality of the concept, but at
least, we say something significant about it.

At times, when we are asked to explain an idea, this idea is very clear to our minds
that we are able to convey our viewpoints. However, there are instances that even
though this ideas are clear to us; those people who listen to us may sometimes do not
understand the things we really want to convey.

Practically, the ideas we have in our minds are called concepts. Hence, a concept is
something that is conceived in mind; it is an abstract or generic idea generalized from
particular instance. A concept has to be concretized in order for it to be understood well
by those who want to grasp it.
What is a concept paper ?
A concept paper is a summary of a project or an issue that depicts the interests, experiences and
expertise of the writer. It divides an in-depth analysis and discussion of a topic that the writer has a
strong position on.
“Concept paper” and “proposal” are interchangeably used because both can be utilized for the
same purpose. However, a concept paper may also be used as an instructional tool that may have
been the result of an intensive study, a committee input or as a result of the existing project.
Furthermore, a concept paper can also tackle best practices, philosophies, theories, and other related
issues that the writer has the conviction that an action should be taken immediately or in the near
future.
How to Write Concept Papers?
Writing a concept paper has no fixed format or style. The guidelines in doing the concept will
depend on the organization. However, even though there are individuals guidelines that may have been
published, the format and the commonly used elements or consistent among all organizations.

How a writer defines the subject matter in significant in writing a concept paper. He makes his ideas
or concepts clear by defining the limits and the scope of the concept. Definition can be done in various
ways. It can be done by word origin or etymology, by synonym or antonym, by similarity, by metaphor,
by contrast or by negation. However, writing a concept paper is more than the definition of the concept
since it serves as a prelude to a full paper like thesis, program, project or anything that requires a longer
time to prepare, a concept paper elaborates the concept, concretizes it, and discusses different concerns
involve in the idea being discussed.
 Broadly speaking, a concept paper is an embodiment of your ideas on a specific item of interest. Because you
present your concept paper to your teacher or a review panel as a preliminary before you pursue with your full
paper, you definitely save your time and effort when your teacher or review panel tells you that your idea is not a
good concept to develop.

There are various ways of how develop your concept paper. Aside concretizing a concept by definition, you
can also do it by description method. Likewise, classification can be utilized when concept is broad. Comparing
and contrasting can be also be done if you want to clarify a concept. Furthermore, enumerating or giving
specific concrete examples is also a method you can do to connect your concept to your reader.
Below is the matrix organizational patterns, their purposes and transitional devices which can be
utilized in developing a concept paper.
ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN PURPOSE SIGNAL WORDS

Explains the meaning of
Definition
new words or phrases
Is, refers to, can be defined as, means,
consists of involves, is a term that, is
called, is characterized by, occurs when,
are those that, entails, corresponds to, is
literally.

Divides a topic into parts Classified as, comprises, is composed of,

Classification several varieties of, differences stages of,
based on shared different groups that, includes, one, first,
characteristics second, another, finally, last.
Description Describes the order in which
things are done or how
(Process and order of
things works. Describes
importance)
ideas in order of priority or
preference.
Discusses similarities
Comparison and
Contrast and/or differences among
ideas, theories, concept,
objects, or persons.
Listing/Enumeration Organizes lists of
information:
Characteristics, features,
parts, or categories.
First, second, next, then, following,
after that, last, finally
Less, more, primary, next, last,
most important, primarily,
secondarily
Similarities: both, also, similarly, like,
likewise, to, as well as, resembles,
correspondingly, in the same way, to
compare, in comparison, share
Differences: unlike, differs from, in
contrast, on the other hand, instead,
despite, nevertheless, however, in
spite of, where as opposed to
The following, several, for
example, for instance, one,
another, also, too, in other words,
first second, numerals (1,2,3…),
letters (a,b,c…), most important,
the largest, the least, finally
 There is no specific structure to follow in writing a concept paper. In this academic writing , the teacher may
provide the format highlighting the components necessary to include in a concept paper. However, some authors not
give a format a writing concept paper because ideas maybe limited when they are placed in a box. One may miss some
important points that may not be in the format provided. Remember that a concept paper is an expression of the idea
you intend others to understand.

In writing a concept paper, one may do research in defining and discussing an idea. Thus, it is relevant and ethical
that one cites all outside sources used in developing and writing a concept paper. What is essential in producing such
output is that the concept is clarified, concretized and discussed.

However, to systematize the methodology in writing a concept paper as a preliminary to thesis writing, must have
at least a rationale, a conceptual framework, and a hypothesis to a study .

A rationale explains the purposes why you need to undertake that thesis proposal. Here, you have to elaborate the
reasons that prompt you to prepare the concept paper. You have to express why such idea is significant and what should
you be able to produce out of your intended study.

A conceptual framework is basically your guide in working on your idea. It serves as your map in arriving at your
destination, which is your thesis proposal. One good way to come up with a conceptual framework is to do mind
mapping .

A mind map is just a list of words associated to your idea what you can use to connect in order to make a clear
definition and discussion of an issue or idea. It is your means of analyzing them associating a thing to another thing or
an idea to another idea. After you do your mind mapping, it is when you will come up with your conceptual framework.
 The Hypothesis is the expected output in the course of conducting your study that you have derived
after having your conceptual frameworkyou prepared. You haveto identify the specific variables in your
study. After which, try to analyze how these variables are related and how does each variable relate with the
other. A review of relevant literature will help you distinguish which variables really matter in your study.
Owning and Starting a Business
For some people, being the boss, and which by boss I mean business owner, would be the greatest thing ever. Most
think you get to pick your own hours, make the most money, and make everyone do the things you want done. Of
course there is work involved and it takes work to make It but the rewards will be better owning a business that
succeeds. The ultimate goal is becoming a millionaire and retiring at the age of forty and just drawing money from
business production. However they really don’t understand the work it takes to make it a million dollar company.
When these people are finally able to own a business they get a rude awakening. I am in no way trying to offend the
typical business owner when I say, owning a business can be a challenging task that can cause many complications in
your life and if you’re not careful they can change your life entirely.

Over the last eight years I have watched my aunt and grandfather start a completely new hospice. My aunt is the main
boss of the business, my grandfather just put in money so that she was able to actually start the business. Over those
last eight years she has had some of the roughest times in her life. Being a single mother is hard enough, but then to
start a business frpm scratch made it much more difficult to not only raise a family by herself. My aunt has had many
problems in the last eight years and her business is now getting to the point of choosing what she does. I see some
teenagers saying they want to own a business when they get older, but they only think of the money they can earn, the
people they can tell what to do, and the fact that they can work when they want to work and no one can tell them
otherwise. My aunt has put in the more work to her business in the last eight years than I have done homework
assignments in my school career.
 When one owns a business, they must work constantly because there is always something that needs to be done.
Whether there is a problem to sort out, bills to pay, or numbers and accounting paperwork to figure out. There is always
something that they must do. I can remember staying the night at her house staying up late and playing video games
while right down the hall she was in the office working on paperwork at one and two in the morning. Still, she got up
every day, went to work and did the same thing the next day. These grueling hours can cause many problems in the
family, and with her being basically a single mother (got married about three years after starting the business), she
always seemed to be stressed out. My cousin Joe ( 6’3, 350lbs, and obsessed with computer games) never really helped
her out around her house so she was always down his back to make him do something but he never did. Those two
constantly fought about little and stupid things and it really got annoying for a while. This continues work put so
muchstress on her and if she was any less strong than she would not have lasted. She had a constant hassle of making
decisions for the good of the business, hiring and firing new people, and trying to look after each employee to make sure
they were giving the care they should be giving to the patient. It seems like with new business owners that the business
is always in your mind thinking of ways to increase you appreciation among future patients or customers. With hard
work, time management, and stress management you can make a business succeed to great lenghts. Luckily her business
is doing well now and she was looking to sell her business for something around $5 million.

Owning a business is difficult process one that you should be very prepared for because even if you have the
greatest idea ever, being accepted in a community as a typical place to return to will take a very long time.

Four years ago, my father came up with the idea that he wanted to own a chicago style hot dog restaurant. He like
every typical virgin business he had the greatest idea every by opening up a restaurant that our city doesn’t have.
However, after a few weeks of opening reality set in and he was not the jolly man most remember him being. He looked
at the city of noblesville, and realize we didn’t really have a hotdog place in town. There is one problem with his thought
process, he may have looked at the direct competition (other hotdogs restaurants), but he failed to see the indirect
 Competition(other fastfood restaurants). When starting a fresh new business all the components must
be looked at the judge wheter starting the business is worth the time and money. My dad has spent lots of
money advertising trying to get his business known throught out hamilton countly and it has slowly been
working. They say the biggest key to have a succesful business is marketing. The toughest key about
marketing however, is finding neew ways to market to potential customers and get them to actually notice
youradvertisement. My father is good at coming up with ideas but gathering the money is tough dilemma
and can cause a lot of stress on the owner. Owners have a lot of work on their plate when tryonh to run the
business due to every other person is always trying to help but it just doesn’t go the way youwant it to
happen.

My father had some the most stressful times of his life, while owning this business. The business world
is a constant cat and mouse game always trying to aside the best move to make next. His business has been
slowly increasing its figures after starting out in the negative aspect of making money. It is still worth
nothing right now due to the fact thata the revenue earned is still below the expenses but it slowly equals
itself which is a good sign. I have amemories about when my dad was in an argument with a land lord or
product agent I can remember times where he used to be so stressed and just wouldn’t know how to handle
it he would yell at me for simple things that he thought I should have done. for instance, one day I didn’t
cleam my room because I was somewhat busy but more or less I was procrastinating. That night when he
got home after working from open to close he blew up in my face over procrastinating. Procrastinating
however is not the greatest way we should all be, specially if someone is going to own a business. Paying the
bills is a business owner’s biggest concern. If the owner can’t pay the bills then there is not future and your
life becomes horrible, and not being able to pay the bills causes the most stress on owners.
 Owning and starting a business is one of the hardest things to do in ife you must first be able to have sufficient
funds to run the business, have the time, and the ablity to manage the stress. If you can manage the stress. If you can
manage all of these things plus the dilemma of making decisions for the better of the business you can run a successful
business. Before you begin to own a business, please make sure you have the time to spend with your family because
family ia one of the most important things in life.

 What idea or concept is being discussed in the text? Write specific lines from the text that will support your claim.
 Explain the way the author develops his article. Give wxamples when necessary.
 What ides or ides that the author could have discussed better in the text? Why did you say so?
 Do you think the concept discussed above can help you and other readers in the society? How?

Ethics in Information Technology

Technology is in many ways very beneficial to our society, but in what ways can and/or will this fast growing
business be unethical. This article explains the power and information that an IT personnel has in the business world.
Most people think of the IT person as someone who comes fix their computer when they can’t figure out their e-mail.
But what does an IT person have access to. Every business is different and has different responsibilities required for the
IT personnel. This article explaines how most companies use the IT department for monitoring their employess on the
computer. The article raises many questions on the ethical behavior of IT personnel, but it doesn’t give many answers.
That’s because the question of “is it ethical?” must be answered by each individual IT professional. In other professional
carrers such as medicine or law that have been around for a long time have a set of laws or code of ethics that goes along
with the job. This field has yet to establish such rules. The article states that most ethicla issues such as: reading the
employee e-mails and changiing words, using key loggers to obtain everything a specific person has typed, or screen
capture programs to monitor everything they have looked at, have not even been confronted by law, nor is there a
standard that any IT professional has to follow.
 It’s scary to think how much power and information that an IT professional have access to, and the fact
that there are no laws that prohibit some of the procedures they is also a frightening thought. Even at
southwestern assemblies of God University the IT people have access to our social security number, web
pages we visit, and even our internet passwords like e-mail or student login. If the IT professional are hired
and have no prior discretion of ethical issues how can we trust what they will do with the information they
have about us. Itrust the employers of the Southern have choosen the right people for the job, but what the
everyday office of america. The article states that some of the IT professionals even help employees to get
others fired. An example of this would be: at this particular business the IT department recieves all the e-
mails to be screened before they leave to the recipient. If employee wanted someone else fired they could pay
the IT professional to change words or even send whole e-mails that do not represent what the sender wants.

It’s time for the government to take a step forward on this issue. Identity fraud is one of the major
criminal charges today. If the It professionals are not bound by law they have the free will to decide what is
ethical or not on the job. This article is not to condemn all IT professional. There are many IT employees that
are ethical and make just decisions on the job. It was mainly written to make people aware of the possibilities
of the unjust to happen to them.

 What idea or concept is being discussed in the text? Write specific lines from the text that will suppport
your claim.
 Explain the way the author develops the article. Give examples when necessary.
 What idea or ideas that the author could have discussed better in the text? Why did you say so?
 Do you think the concept discussed above can help you and other readers in the society? How?