EAPP Reviewer2

• Concept Paper


  Defines an idea or a concept and explains its essence in order to clarify the "whatness" of that idea or concept
• Concept Paper

  • Usually ranges from 500-2000 words and is divided into several parts
  • Starts with a definition, either formal or informal, of the term or the concept and proceeds with an expanded definition and analytic description of the aspects of the concept
  • Acts as a proposal, providing a short summary that tells the reader what the project is, why it is important, and how it will be carried out
  • Provides an overview of the project which helps the funding agencies to eliminate proposals that are likely to be disapproved
• Several uses of a Concept Paper

  • Serves as the foundation of the full proposal
  • Helps determine whether certain project is feasible or not
  • Used to pique the interest of the potential funding agencies
  • Used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas prior to the full proposal
• 3 Ways in Explaining a Concept Paper


  • Definition - A method of identifying a term and making its meaning clearer
  • Explication - Method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or passages are taken away from a literary or academic work and then interpreted and explained in detailed way
  • Clarification - Entails the analysis of the concept by looking at the examples
• Introduction


  • Identifies how and where the applicant's mission and the funder's mission intersect or align
  • Addresses the reasons why the funder should support projects in the given general area
  • Introduces the applicant's partners and shows why the partners want to participate in the project
• Purpose/Need or Rationale


  • Outlines what others have written about the general topic and focuses on the gap in knowledge to be filled, the problem to be solved, or the need to be addressed by the applicant's proposed project
  • Allows the applicant to state the purpose or need in such a way that the applicant's project is the best possible solution to the problem
  • Often provides statements addressing the significance of the project (showing why the project should be supported)
• Project Description


  • Addresses the unique, unusual, distinctive, innovative, and/or novel aspects of the approach, showing why the applicant's team has the best solution and presenting a compelling case for funding
  • Includes the project's goals and objectives
  • Includes an overview of the project's Methodology (sometimes called Project Activities or Action Plan or Approach)
  • The goals, objectives, and methods (or activities) will need to align closely with each other and will need to be accomplished within the proposed timeline
  • The methods or activities will need to be congruent with or based on what has been tried in the field in the past, they must be based on empirical evidence, and they will need to be both reasonable in cost and complexity and accomplishable within the proposed timeline
  • Typically concludes with a statement of benefits (or anticipated outcomes) along with a description of who will benefit and how
• Support or Budget


  • Contains either (1) an outline of the main budget categories for the requested project support or (2) a single bottom-line amount of the request and a brief discussion of how that amount will be used
• Contact Information


  • The applicant organization's chief executive or his/her designee authorized to make funding requests
• Parts of a Concept Paper for a Project

  • Cover page - contains details about the proponents
  • Introduction - mission and vision
  • Rationale - background and significance
  • Project description - goals and objectives
  • Project needs and cost - outline and justification of budget
• Parts of a Concept Paper for Academic Research

  • Title page - research title, name of school and proponent
  • Background of the study - nature of the problem
  • Preliminary literature review - Theoretical framework/related literature
  • Statement of the problem/objectives - research questions or objectives
  • Abridged Methodology - participants and instruments of the study
  • Timeline - Gantt Chart set in months and year
  • References - APA 7th edition
• Argument


  Generally short, consisting of 1-2 sentences. It usually has 2 parts: first part is called the evidence/premise while the second part is called conclusion. An argument could have 1 or more premises but could only have 1 conclusion. Strong premise equates a strong argument. You can strengthen the argument by providing additional factual and resilient evidences.
• How to Present an Effective Argument

  1. Choose a Topic - Find a good topic that really piques your interest. You may consider current and controversial issues.

  2. Explication - You need to decide your stand on a particular arguable topic. For instance, if the topic is about the legalization of abortion in the Philippines, you must weigh its advantages and disadvantages before choosing your claim whether you agree or disagree.

  3. Gather Evidences - The strength of your evidences can make or break your argument. You can gather evidences from observation, interviews, surveys, experiments, journal articles, research, statistics or any source of reliable information. Personal experience could also be used as evidence, however, use it when it is appropriate to your topic. Also, personal experience should not be the only source of evidences.

  4. Present Argument Logically - Make sure that your conclusion is logically supported by premise. Logical argument has one clear conclusion supported with relevant premises.
• Position Paper


  A common type of argumentative paper, typically written after reading or discussing a particular issue. The central goal is to state and defend your claim on the issue and show how your stance relates to other claims.
• Position Paper


  • It presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue either you agree or disagree. It is making a claim about something and then proves it through arguments.
• Three-Part Essay Structure of a Position Paper


  1. Introduction

  2. Body

  3. Conclusion
• Introduction


  • Background of the Topic - Introduce the topic by providing its history, definition, statistics, example or anecdote.
  • Thesis Statement/ Claim - Contains the main position/stance of your paper which includes concise summary of your argument.
• Body


  • Sub-Claims - 3 or more reasons why the reader should believe your claim.
  • Evidences - The evidences that supports the sub-claims.
  • Counterclaim - the opposite view of the claim.
  • Rebuttal - Your defensive statement which explains why your claim is still better than the counter claim.
• Conclusion


  Restate your thesis statement/claim and provide a brief summary of the sub-claims then write a powerful or urging ending that strongly recommends your claim.
• Steps in Writing a Position Paper

  1. Select a Topic

  2. Decide your claim

  3. Conduct Preliminary Research

  4. Know the Opposite Claim

  5. Create an Outline of your Topic

  6. Write with Confidence
• Select a Topic


  Selecting one from the current and significant political issues in the country which interesting to you is a good choice. Just make sure that your topic is arguable or has two possible claims.
• Decide your claim


  The claim defines your writing goals, thus it should reflect your strong position about the topic.
• Conduct Preliminary Research


  This is to determine whether the evidences are available to back up your claim. Search for information that can support your stance in reputable websites such as education (.edu) sites or government (.gov) sites. Strong evidences could make a convincing paper.
• Know the Opposite Claim


  It is important to know the opposite claim or the counterclaim of your thesis for you to effectively provide a rebuttal which explains why the other side's point of view is wrong.
• Create an Outline of your Topic


  An outline organizes the ideas in your paper and serves as guide in writing the content of your paper's introduction, body and conclusion.
• Write with Confidence


  Write with confidence and state your opinion with authority. After all, your goal is to show that your position is the correct one.
• Gather Evidences


  The strength of your evidences can make or break your argument. You can gather evidences from observation, interviews, surveys, experiments, journal articles, research, statistics or any source of reliable information. Personal experience could also be used as evidence, however, use it when it is appropriate to your topic. Also, personal experience should not be the only source of evidences.
• Present Argument Logically


  Make sure that your conclusion is logically supported by premise. Logical argument has one clear conclusion supported with relevant premises.