essay what is concept

Essay Papers Writing Online

Master the art of crafting a concept essay and perfect your writing skills.

Every great work of literature begins with a spark of inspiration, a kernel of an idea that germinates within the writer’s mind. It is this concept, this central theme, that serves as the foundation of the entire writing process, guiding the writer along the creative journey. In the realm of academic writing, the concept essay holds a special place, as it requires the writer to explore abstract ideas, dissect complex theories, and present their understanding of a particular concept.

Unlike traditional essays where arguments are made, and evidence is provided, concept essays delve into the intangible realm of ideas, taking the reader on a captivating exploration of abstract concepts. These essays challenge the writer to convey their understanding of a concept without relying on concrete evidence or facts. Instead, they rely on the writer’s ability to provide clear definitions, logical explanations, and compelling examples that elucidate the intricacies of the concept at hand.

Effectively crafting a concept essay requires skillful mastery of language and an astute understanding of how ideas interconnect. It is a delicate dance between the power of words and the depth of thought, where metaphors and analogies can breathe life into otherwise elusive notions. The successful concept essay requires more than merely stating definitions or describing the concept; it necessitates the writer’s ability to engage and captivate the reader, transporting them into the realm of ideas where the abstract becomes clear and tangible.

Mastering the Art of Crafting a Conceptual Essay: Indispensable Suggestions and Instructions

Embarking on the journey of composing a conceptual essay necessitates an astute understanding of the complexities involved. This particular form of written expression empowers individuals to delve deeply into abstract concepts, unravel their intricacies, and articulate their findings in a clear and coherent manner. To accomplish this task with finesse, it is imperative to familiarize oneself with indispensable suggestions and instructions that pave the way to success.

1. Explore Profusely:

• Investigate, scrutinize, and immerse yourself in the vast realm of ideas, allowing your mind to explore a myriad of perspectives.
• Delve into diverse disciplines and subjects, sourcing inspiration and insight from a wide array of sources such as literature, art, philosophy, science, and history.
• Be cognizant of the fact that the more extensive your exploration, the richer your conceptual essay will be.

2. Define Your Focus:

• Once you have gathered an abundant collection of ideas, narrow down your focus to a specific concept that captivates your interest.
• Choose a concept that is both intriguing and stimulating, as this will fuel your motivation throughout the writing process.
• Strive to select a concept that possesses a level of complexity, rendering it ripe for analysis and interpretation.

3. Establish a Clear Structure:

• Prior to commencing the writing process, create a well-structured outline that delineates the key sections and points you wish to convey in your essay.
• Ensure that your essay possesses a clear introduction, body paragraphs that expound upon your chosen concept, and a comprehensive conclusion that ties together your arguments.
• Organize your thoughts in a logical manner, employing effective transitions that allow your essay to flow seamlessly.

4. Support your Claims:

• Avoid presenting mere conjecture or personal opinions; instead, bolster your arguments with credible evidence and examples.
• Cite reputable sources, such as scholarly articles, books, or studies, to lend credibility and authority to your assertions.
• Engage critically with the works of other esteemed thinkers, analyzing their viewpoints and incorporating them into your own exploration of the concept.

5. Polish and Perfect:

• Once you have crafted the initial draft of your conceptual essay, allocate ample time for revision and refinement.
• Engage in meticulous proofreading to eliminate any errors in grammar, punctuation, or syntax that may detract from the overall impact of your work.
• Solicit feedback from trusted peers or mentors, incorporating their suggestions into your final version.

In conclusion, mastering the art of crafting a conceptual essay demands diligent exploration, focused attention, and a commitment to delivering a well-structured and thought-provoking piece of writing. By following these essential tips and guidelines, you can navigate the intricacies of this unique form of expression and develop an essay that both captivates and informs its readers.

Understanding the Purpose of a Concept Essay

Having a clear understanding of the purpose behind writing a concept essay is crucial for creating a successful piece of writing. Concept essays aim to explore and explain abstract ideas, theories, or concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging to readers.

Although concept essays may vary in subject matter, their main objective is to break down complex ideas and make them understandable to a wider audience. These essays often require deep analysis and critical thinking to present the chosen concept in a comprehensive and enlightening manner.

A concept essay goes beyond simply defining a concept but delves deeper into the underlying principles and implications. It requires the writer to provide insight, examples, and evidence to support their claims and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the concept being discussed.

Concept essays also provide an opportunity for writers to explore new and innovative ideas and present them in a thought-provoking way. They allow for personal interpretation and creativity, encouraging writers to examine a concept from different angles and offer unique perspectives.

Furthermore, concept essays can be used as a tool for education and learning, helping readers expand their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of various concepts. By breaking down complex ideas into more digestible forms, these essays enable readers to grasp abstract concepts and apply them to real-world situations.

In conclusion, the purpose of a concept essay is to convey abstract ideas or concepts in a clear and engaging manner, utilizing critical thinking and analysis. By presenting complex ideas in a comprehensive way, concept essays facilitate understanding and encourage readers to explore and expand their knowledge in the chosen subject area.

Choosing a Strong and Specific Concept

When it comes to crafting a well-written piece of work, selecting a compelling and precise concept is crucial. The concept you choose will serve as the foundation for your essay, shaping the content, tone, and direction of your writing.

Before diving into the process of choosing a concept, it’s important to understand what exactly a concept is. In this context, a concept can be defined as a broad idea or theme that encapsulates a particular subject or topic. It is the main point or central idea that you want to convey to your readers through your essay.

An effective concept should be strong, meaning it should be able to capture the attention and interest of your readers. It should be something that has depth and substance, allowing for exploration and analysis. A strong concept will engage your audience and motivate them to continue reading.

In addition to being strong, your concept should also be specific. It should be focused and clearly defined, narrowing down your topic to a specific aspect or angle. A specific concept will help you maintain a clear direction in your writing and prevent your essay from becoming too broad or unfocused.

To choose a strong and specific concept, start by brainstorming ideas related to your topic. Think about the main themes or issues you want to address in your essay. Consider what aspects of the topic interest you the most and which ones you feel are worth exploring further.

Once you have a list of potential concepts, evaluate each one based on its strength and specificity. Ask yourself whether the concept captures your interest and whether it has the potential to captivate your audience. Consider whether it is specific enough to guide your writing and provide a clear focus for your essay.

By choosing a strong and specific concept, you will set yourself up for success in writing your concept essay. Remember to select a concept that is compelling, focused, and meaningful to you and your readers. With a well-chosen concept, you will be able to create a thought-provoking and engaging essay that effectively conveys your ideas.

Developing a Clear and Coherent Thesis Statement

When crafting an effective essay, one of the most important elements to consider is the development of a clear and coherent thesis statement. The thesis statement acts as the central theme or main argument of your essay, providing a roadmap for your readers to understand the purpose and direction of your writing.

A well-developed thesis statement not only states your main argument but also provides a clear focus for your essay. It helps you organize your thoughts and ensures that your essay remains cohesive and logical. A strong thesis statement sets the tone for your entire essay and guides the reader through your main ideas.

To develop a clear and coherent thesis statement, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the topic you are writing about. Conducting research and gathering relevant information will help you form a solid foundation for your thesis statement. Make sure to analyze different perspectives on the topic and consider any counterarguments that may arise.

Once you have a good understanding of the topic, you can begin brainstorming and drafting your thesis statement. Start by considering the main idea or argument you want to communicate to your readers. Your thesis statement should be concise and specific, clearly conveying your main point. Avoid vague or general statements that lack focus.

In addition to being clear and concise, your thesis statement should also be arguable. It should present a debatable claim that can be supported with evidence and logical reasoning. This allows you to engage your readers and encourages them to consider different perspectives on the topic.

After drafting your thesis statement, it is important to review and revise it as needed. Make sure it accurately reflects the content and direction of your essay. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to ensure that your thesis statement is clear, coherent, and effectively conveys your main argument.

In conclusion, developing a clear and coherent thesis statement is essential for writing an effective essay. It sets the tone for your entire essay, provides a clear focus, and guides the reader through your main ideas. By thoroughly understanding the topic, brainstorming and drafting a concise and arguable thesis statement, and revising as needed, you can ensure that your essay is well-structured and persuasive.

Structuring Your Concept Essay Effectively

Creating a well-organized structure is vital when it comes to conveying your ideas effectively in a concept essay. By carefully structuring your essay, you can ensure that your audience understands your concept and its various aspects clearly. In this section, we will explore some essential guidelines for structuring your concept essay.

1. Introduction: Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that captures the reader’s attention. This section should provide a brief overview of the concept you will be discussing and its significance. You can use an anecdote, a rhetorical question, or a thought-provoking statement to make your introduction compelling.

2. Definition: After the introduction, it is crucial to provide a clear definition of the concept you will be exploring in your essay. Define the concept in your own words and highlight its key characteristics. You may also include any relevant background information or historical context to enhance the reader’s understanding.

3. Explanation: In this section, you will delve deeper into the concept and explain its various elements, components, or features. Use examples, analogies, or real-life situations to illustrate your points and make them more relatable to the reader. Break down complex ideas into simpler terms and highlight the connections between different aspects of the concept.

4. Analysis: Once you have provided a thorough explanation of the concept, it is time to analyze it critically. Discuss different perspectives or interpretations of the concept and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Consider any controversies or debates surrounding the concept and present a balanced view by weighing different arguments.

5. Examples and Case Studies: To further support your arguments and enhance the reader’s understanding, include relevant examples and case studies. These examples can be from real-life situations, historical events, or fictional scenarios. Analyze how the concept has been applied or manifested in these examples and discuss their implications.

6. Conclusion: Conclude your concept essay by summarizing your main points and restating the significance of the concept. Reflect on the insights gained from your analysis and offer any recommendations or suggestions for further exploration. End your essay on a thought-provoking note that leaves the reader with a lasting impression.

By structuring your concept essay effectively, you can ensure that your ideas are presented coherently and persuasively. Remember to use clear and concise language, provide logical transitions between sections, and support your arguments with evidence. With a well-structured essay, you can effectively communicate your understanding of the concept to your audience.

Using Concrete Examples to Illustrate Your Concept

One effective way to clarify and reinforce your concept in a concept essay is by using concrete examples. By providing specific and tangible instances, you can help your readers grasp the abstract and theoretical nature of your concept. Concrete examples bring your concept to life, making it easier for your audience to understand and relate to.

Instead of relying solely on abstract theories, you can support your concept with real-life scenarios, research studies, or personal anecdotes. These examples add depth and relevance to your essay, making it more engaging and meaningful.

When choosing examples to illustrate your concept, it is important to select ones that accurately represent the core elements of your concept. Look for examples that exhibit the underlying principles, attributes, or behaviors that are associated with your concept.

For instance, if your concept is “leadership,” you can provide examples of influential leaders from history or modern-day society. These examples can demonstrate the qualities that define effective leadership, such as integrity, communication skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Additionally, when presenting concrete examples, ensure that they are relevant and relatable to your target audience. Consider the background and interests of your readers and choose examples that they can easily comprehend and connect with. This will enhance the effectiveness of your essay and create a stronger impact.

In conclusion, using concrete examples is a powerful technique for illustrating your concept in a concept essay. By incorporating specific instances, you can bring clarity, relevance, and authenticity to your writing. This approach allows your readers to grasp your concept more easily and appreciate its practical application in real-life scenarios.

Related Post

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, tips and techniques for crafting compelling narrative essays.

Concept Essay Paper

Every writer has his/her own way of presenting a topic or an idea to the readers. Some of them wants to stir imaginations and make you create characters and places of your own. Others want to provoke your emotions and indulge you into the story. While others want to simply demonstrate a subject.

Essay writing is considered a talent. It requires a creative mind to be able to present thoughts and emotions and put them into writing. And the most difficult part is how to make it appealing to the readers. Knowing how to start an essay is even more difficult because you have to find the right inspiration to write.

What is Concept Essay? A concept essay is a piece writing that is used to present an idea or a topic with the sole purpose of providing a clear definition and explanation. Their usual content are those topics that may have previously been presented but were not given with full emphasis. Others are controversial and timely issues that raises questions but are not given full answers. What is Concept Paper? A concept paper is a brief document written to provide an overview of a project, research, or idea. It outlines the main goals, objectives, and methods of the intended project, serving as a preliminary proposal. Concept papers are often used to seek approval or funding, presenting the project’s significance, potential impact, and feasibility in a concise manner. This document helps stakeholders, such as sponsors or academic committees, understand the essence of the proposed work and decide whether to support it further.

Concept Paper Writing Topics & Ideas

In conceptual writing, the central focus lies on the idea or concept driving the work, positioning it as the cornerstone of the narrative. This approach dictates that all planning and critical decisions are determined in advance, rendering the actual writing process secondary. Essentially, the concept acts as a blueprint, guiding the creation of the text in a manner that is almost mechanical. Through this method, the initial idea transforms into an engine that propels the development of the written piece, underscoring the precedence of thought over the act of writing itself. Below are the topics and ideas of concept writing

• The Evolution of Digital Privacy
• The Psychology Behind Social Media Addiction
• The Impact of Remote Work on Urban Development
• Sustainability in Fashion: A New Trend
• The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Cultural Identity in a Globalized World
• The Ethics of Genetic Editing
• The Role of Cryptocurrency in Modern Finance
• Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
• The Influence of Music on Cognitive Development
• Climate Change and Its Effects on Biodiversity
• The Philosophy of Minimalism and Its Life Benefits
• The Rise of E-Learning and Its Educational Impacts
• Urban Farming: Solutions for Food Security
• Virtual Reality: Transforming Entertainment and Education
• The Gig Economy and Its Impact on Traditional Employment
• Social Entrepreneurship: Business for Social Good
• The Intersection of Art and Technology
• Cybersecurity in the Age of Internet of Things
• The Role of Nutrition in Preventing Chronic Diseases

Concept Essay Paper Format

Introduction.

Hook : Start with an engaging sentence to capture the reader’s interest. Background Information : Provide a brief context for the concept you are going to explore. Thesis Statement : Clearly state the concept or idea you will discuss, outlining the main point or argument of your essay.

Body Paragraphs

Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the concept or idea.

Topic Sentence : Introduce the main idea of the paragraph that supports your thesis. Explanation : Offer a detailed explanation of the idea, including definitions, descriptions, and relevant information. Examples and Evidence : Use specific examples, illustrations, or evidence to support your explanations and arguments. This could include statistics, quotes from experts, or real-life scenarios. Analysis : Analyze how the example or evidence supports your topic sentence and thesis, explaining its significance. Transition : Conclude the paragraph with a sentence that smoothly transitions to the next point or paragraph.

Summary of Main Points : Briefly recap the key arguments or explanations presented in your essay. Restatement of Thesis : Reiterate your thesis statement, highlighting how it has been supported through your discussion. Final Thoughts : Offer closing remarks that leave a lasting impression on the reader. This could include implications, future prospects, or a call to action related to the concept.

Concept Paper Example

Enhancing Digital Literacy in Rural Communities: A Pathway to Bridging the Digital Divide   The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly transformed the way we live, work, and communicate. However, this digital revolution has also led to a widening gap between urban and rural areas in terms of access to technology and digital skills. This concept paper proposes a comprehensive project aimed at enhancing digital literacy in rural communities as a fundamental step toward bridging the digital divide. By equipping rural populations with the necessary digital skills, the project seeks to empower individuals, improve educational outcomes, and unlock economic opportunities.   The purpose of this initiative is to develop and implement a scalable digital literacy program tailored to the needs of rural communities. This program will focus on basic computer skills, internet navigation, online safety, and the use of digital tools for education and entrepreneurship. The significance of this project lies in its potential to transform the lives of rural residents, providing them with the skills required to participate fully in the digital world.   Objectives of the project include: Assessing the current level of digital literacy in targeted rural areas. Developing a comprehensive digital literacy curriculum that addresses identified needs. Delivering digital literacy training to residents of rural communities through workshops and online modules. Establishing community-based digital hubs equipped with internet access and computing resources. Evaluating the impact of the program on participants’ digital skills, economic opportunities, and educational outcomes.   The methodology will encompass a needs assessment to identify specific digital literacy gaps, followed by the development of a curriculum that incorporates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Training will be delivered through a combination of in-person workshops and online modules, ensuring broad access. Pre- and post-program assessments will measure the effectiveness of the training.   Expected outcomes include improved digital literacy rates among rural populations, increased access to educational and economic opportunities, and enhanced participation in the digital economy. The project aims to establish a model for digital literacy training that can be replicated and scaled in other rural areas.   In conclusion, enhancing digital literacy in rural communities presents a critical opportunity to bridge the digital divide and foster equitable access to the benefits of the digital age. This concept paper outlines a clear and actionable plan to empower rural residents with the digital skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Concept Essay Outline Sample

penandthepad.com

Concept Essay on Love

professays.com

Concept on Success

nicoletaylor13.weebly.com

Self Concept Essay Example

bestessayhelp.com

Cultural Concept Essay Sample

missouriwestern.edu

Concept Analysis

bristolcc.edu

Concept Essay Format

Business Concept Essay Example

Free Concept Essay

What Are the Steps to Writing a Concept Essay?

One of the things to consider in essay writing is to know how to start an essay. In addition to that, you have to come up with the steps on how to write an effective one.

• Choose a topic. An effective essay is one that presents a more relevant topic. You need to choose the right topic first before you start writing.
• Do your research. You have to back up your claims with factual information from reliable sources. Present at least three to four points for reference.
• Create your outline. The essay outline of your concept essay because readers will consider how your ideas are presented.

Key Elements of Concept Paper

A concept paper outlines a project or idea, presenting its purpose, significance, methodology, expected outcomes, and, if applicable, budget and timeline. It serves to introduce and justify the project, aiming to secure interest or support by succinctly detailing its goals and potential impact.

The key elements are:

How to Make/ Create Concept Paper

1. choose your topic wisely.

Select a topic that is both interesting to you and relevant to your audience or potential funders. It should address a specific problem, need, or question.

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

Gather information on your topic to ensure there’s enough background material to support your concept. This research will help refine your idea and identify gaps your project could fill.

3. Write the Introduction

Start with a strong introduction that captures the essence of your concept. Include a brief overview of the problem or issue your project intends to address, its significance, and why it is worth exploring or implementing.

4. State the Purpose or Objective

Clearly articulate the purpose or objectives of your project or research. What do you aim to achieve? Be specific about the outcomes you anticipate.

5. Provide Background Information

Offer a detailed background that gives context to your concept. This section should include any relevant research, current findings, and a justification for your project or study.

6. Describe the Project or Research Design

Outline how you plan to achieve your objectives. This includes your methodology, the steps you will take, and the resources you will need. For research projects, specify your research questions, hypothesis, and the methods for data collection and analysis.

7. Discuss the Significance

Explain the potential impact of your project or research. How will it contribute to the field, benefit a specific group, or solve a problem? This section is crucial for persuading readers of the value of your concept.

8. Outline the Budget (if applicable)

If your concept paper is for a project requiring funding, provide an estimate of the budget. Break down the costs involved, including materials, personnel, and any other resources.

9. Set a Timeline

Include a proposed timeline for your project or research. This demonstrates planning and feasibility and helps funders understand the project’s scope.

10. Conclude Your Paper

Summarize the key points of your concept paper, reinforcing the importance and feasibility of your project or research. End with a call to action or a statement of next steps.

Importance of Concept Essay

As we go along the path of discovering new and better ideas that could feed our minds with more useful information, we also need to pause and make sure that these concepts are well explained.

The main importance of a concept analytical essay is to provide a more vivid evaluation as well as explanation of the ideas that may seem ambiguous. We cannot just live in a world where we are fed with information that we are supposed to accept. Remember that we have the freedom to accept what is true and decline what is not. With a concept essay, we can dig deeper into things and find out its true essence.

When do you need a concept paper?

A concept paper is needed when initiating a project, seeking funding, or proposing an idea to stakeholders. It serves as a preliminary outline, presenting the project’s rationale, goals, and methodology in a concise format to gauge interest or secure support.

How is a concept paper different from a research paper?

A concept paper differs from a research paper in its purpose and scope. While a concept paper outlines a project idea, seeking approval or funding with a focus on potential impact and methodology, a research paper presents detailed findings from completed research, including analysis and results.

What is the purpose of a concept essay?

The purpose of a concept essay is to explore and clarify a specific idea or concept. It aims to deepen understanding and stimulate thought by examining the concept from various angles, using examples, definitions, and personal insights to articulate its significance and implications.

Concept Essay Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Explore the concept essay of happiness: what does it mean and how is it achieved?

Discuss in a concept essay the idea of freedom in the modern world.

Concept Papers in Research: Deciphering the blueprint of brilliance

Concept papers hold significant importance as a precursor to a full-fledged research proposal in academia and research. Understanding the nuances and significance of a concept paper is essential for any researcher aiming to lay a strong foundation for their investigation.

Table of Contents

What Is Concept Paper

A concept paper can be defined as a concise document which outlines the fundamental aspects of a grant proposal. It outlines the initial ideas, objectives, and theoretical framework of a proposed research project. It is usually two to three-page long overview of the proposal. However, they differ from both research proposal and original research paper in lacking a detailed plan and methodology for a specific study as in research proposal provides and exclusion of the findings and analysis of a completed research project as in an original research paper. A concept paper primarily focuses on introducing the basic idea, intended research question, and the framework that will guide the research.

Purpose of a Concept Paper

A concept paper serves as an initial document, commonly required by private organizations before a formal proposal submission. It offers a preliminary overview of a project or research’s purpose, method, and implementation. It acts as a roadmap, providing clarity and coherence in research direction. Additionally, it also acts as a tool for receiving informal input. The paper is used for internal decision-making, seeking approval from the board, and securing commitment from partners. It promotes cohesive communication and serves as a professional and respectful tool in collaboration.

These papers aid in focusing on the core objectives, theoretical underpinnings, and potential methodology of the research, enabling researchers to gain initial feedback and refine their ideas before delving into detailed research.

Key Elements of a Concept Paper

Key elements of a concept paper include the title page , background , literature review , problem statement , methodology, timeline, and references. It’s crucial for researchers seeking grants as it helps evaluators assess the relevance and feasibility of the proposed research.

Writing an effective concept paper in academic research involves understanding and incorporating essential elements:

How to Write a Concept Paper?

To ensure an effective concept paper, it’s recommended to select a compelling research topic, pose numerous research questions and incorporate data and numbers to support the project’s rationale. The document must be concise (around five pages) after tailoring the content and following the formatting requirements. Additionally, infographics and scientific illustrations can enhance the document’s impact and engagement with the audience. The steps to write a concept paper are as follows:

1. Write a Crisp Title:

Choose a clear, descriptive title that encapsulates the main idea. The title should express the paper’s content. It should serve as a preview for the reader.

2. Provide a Background Information:

Give a background information about the issue or topic. Define the key terminologies or concepts. Review existing literature to identify the gaps your concept paper aims to fill.

3. Outline Contents in the Introduction:

Introduce the concept paper with a brief overview of the problem or idea you’re addressing. Explain its significance. Identify the specific knowledge gaps your research aims to address and mention any contradictory theories related to your research question.

4. Define a Mission Statement:

The mission statement follows a clear problem statement that defines the problem or concept that need to be addressed. Write a concise mission statement that engages your research purpose and explains why gaining the reader’s approval will benefit your field.

5. Explain the Research Aim and Objectives:

Explain why your research is important and the specific questions you aim to answer through your research. State the specific goals and objectives your concept intends to achieve. Provide a detailed explanation of your concept. What is it, how does it work, and what makes it unique?

6. Detail the Methodology:

Discuss the research methods you plan to use, such as surveys, experiments, case studies, interviews, and observations. Mention any ethical concerns related to your research.

7. Outline Proposed Methods and Potential Impact:

Provide detailed information on how you will conduct your research, including any specialized equipment or collaborations. Discuss the expected results or impacts of implementing the concept. Highlight the potential benefits, whether social, economic, or otherwise.

8. Mention the Feasibility

Discuss the resources necessary for the concept’s execution. Mention the expected duration of the research and specific milestones. Outline a proposed timeline for implementing the concept.

9. Include a Support Section:

Include a section that breaks down the project’s budget, explaining the overall cost and individual expenses to demonstrate how the allocated funds will be used.

10. Provide a Conclusion:

Summarize the key points and restate the importance of the concept. If necessary, include a call to action or next steps.

Although the structure and elements of a concept paper may vary depending on the specific requirements, you can tailor your document based on the guidelines or instructions you’ve been given.

Here are some tips to write a concept paper:

Example of a Concept Paper

Here is an example of a concept paper. Please note, this is a generalized example. Your concept paper should align with the specific requirements, guidelines, and objectives you aim to achieve in your proposal. Tailor it accordingly to the needs and context of the initiative you are proposing.

 Download Now!

Importance of a Concept Paper

Concept papers serve various fields, influencing the direction and potential of research in science, social sciences, technology, and more. They contribute to the formulation of groundbreaking studies and novel ideas that can impact societal, economic, and academic spheres.

A concept paper serves several crucial purposes in various fields:

In summary, a well-crafted concept paper is essential in outlining a clear, concise, and structured framework for new ideas or proposals. It helps in assessing the feasibility, viability, and potential impact of the concept before investing significant resources into its implementation.

How well do you understand concept papers? Test your understanding now! 

Fill the Details to Check Your Score

Role of AI in Writing Concept Papers

The increasing use of AI, particularly generative models, has facilitated the writing process for concept papers. Responsible use involves leveraging AI to assist in ideation, organization, and language refinement while ensuring that the originality and ethical standards of research are maintained.

AI plays a significant role in aiding the creation and development of concept papers in several ways:

1. Idea Generation and Organization

AI tools can assist in brainstorming initial ideas for concept papers based on key concepts. They can help in organizing information, creating outlines, and structuring the content effectively.

2. Summarizing Research and Data Analysis

AI-powered tools can assist in conducting comprehensive literature reviews, helping writers to gather and synthesize relevant information. AI algorithms can process and analyze vast amounts of data, providing insights and statistics to support the concept presented in the paper.

3. Language and Style Enhancement

AI grammar checker tools can help writers by offering grammar, style, and tone suggestions, ensuring professionalism. It can also facilitate translation, in case a global collaboration.

4. Collaboration and Feedback

AI platforms offer collaborative features that enable multiple authors to work simultaneously on a concept paper, allowing for real-time contributions and edits.

5. Customization and Personalization

AI algorithms can provide personalized recommendations based on the specific requirements or context of the concept paper. They can assist in tailoring the concept paper according to the target audience or specific guidelines.

6. Automation and Efficiency

AI can automate certain tasks, such as citation formatting, bibliography creation, or reference checking, saving time for the writer.

7. Analytics and Prediction

AI models can predict potential outcomes or impacts based on the information provided, helping writers anticipate the possible consequences of the proposed concept.

8. Real-Time Assistance

AI-driven chat-bots can provide real-time support and answers to specific questions related to the concept paper writing process.

AI’s role in writing concept papers significantly streamlines the writing process, enhances the quality of the content, and provides valuable assistance in various stages of development, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the final document.

Concept papers serve as the stepping stone in the research journey, aiding in the crystallization of ideas and the formulation of robust research proposals. It the cornerstone for translating ideas into impactful realities. Their significance spans diverse domains, from academia to business, enabling stakeholders to evaluate, invest, and realize the potential of groundbreaking concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

A concept paper can be defined as a concise document outlining the fundamental aspects of a grant proposal such as the initial ideas, objectives, and theoretical framework of a proposed research project.

A good concept paper should offer a clear and comprehensive overview of the proposed research. It should demonstrate a strong understanding of the subject matter and outline a structured plan for its execution.

Concept paper is important to develop and clarify ideas, develop and evaluate proposal, inviting collaboration and collecting feedback, presenting proposals for academic and research initiatives and allocating resources.

I got wonderful idea

It helps a lot for my concept paper.

Rate this article Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Enago Academy's Most Popular Articles

Ensuring Academic Integrity and Transparency in Academic Research: A comprehensive checklist for researchers

Academic integrity is the foundation upon which the credibility and value of scientific findings are…

• AI in Academia

AI vs. AI: How to detect image manipulation and avoid academic misconduct

The scientific community is facing a new frontier of controversy as artificial intelligence (AI) is…

• Diversity and Inclusion

Need for Diversifying Academic Curricula: Embracing missing voices and marginalized perspectives

In classrooms worldwide, a single narrative often dominates, leaving many students feeling lost. These stories,…

• Career Corner
• Trending Now

Recognizing the signs: A guide to overcoming academic burnout

As the sun set over the campus, casting long shadows through the library windows, Alex…

Reassessing the Lab Environment to Create an Equitable and Inclusive Space

The pursuit of scientific discovery has long been fueled by diverse minds and perspectives. Yet…

Sign-up to read more

Subscribe for free to get unrestricted access to all our resources on research writing and academic publishing including:

• 2000+ blog articles
• 50+ Webinars
• 10+ Expert podcasts
• 50+ Infographics
• 10+ Checklists
• Research Guides

We hate spam too. We promise to protect your privacy and never spam you.

I am looking for Editing/ Proofreading services for my manuscript Tentative date of next journal submission:

As a researcher, what do you consider most when choosing an image manipulation detector?

How to Write a Concept Paper Easily with Our Guide

Did you know that some of the most revolutionary ideas in history started with a simple concept paper? From scientific breakthroughs to groundbreaking inventions, the power of well-crafted concept papers cannot be underestimated.

In this article, experts at our academic essay writing service will demystify the process of writing a concept paper, offering straightforward tips and guidance to help you articulate your ideas effectively. Whether you're a researcher, entrepreneur, or student, you'll lay the foundation for your next big endeavor effortlessly.

Defining What is a Concept Paper

A concept paper is a starting point for any major project or research endeavor. When you're asked to write one, what your teachers or professors are really asking for is a clear, concise summary of what you plan to explore or investigate. It's your chance to explain your idea, why it matters, and how you're going to tackle it.

Imagine you're pitching your idea to someone who doesn't know anything about it. You want to grab their attention and get them excited about what you're planning to do. That's what a concept paper is all about – setting the stage for your project or research in a way that makes people want to learn more.

Don't Delay Your Scholarly Pursuits!

Our team is here to nurture your concepts! Seize this opportunity to lay the groundwork for your academic exploration.

Why Does a Concept Paper Matter

So, why does knowing how to write a concept paper for academic research matter? First off, it helps you clarify your thoughts and organize your ideas. Writing down your concept forces you to think through the details of your project, which can be super helpful, especially when things start to get overwhelming.

Secondly, it's a way to get feedback early on. By sharing your concept paper with your teachers, advisors, or classmates, you can get valuable input that can help you refine your idea and make it even better.

Plus, it shows that you're serious about your project. Taking the time to write a concept paper demonstrates to your instructors that you've put thought and effort into your work, which can earn you some serious brownie points.

Understanding How Long is a Concept Paper

When it comes to the length of a concept paper, think quality over quantity. It's not about hitting a specific word count; it's about conveying your ideas clearly and concisely. In general, a concept paper is meant to be short and to the point. You want to give enough detail to explain your idea thoroughly, but you don't want to overwhelm your reader with unnecessary information.

As a rule of thumb, most concept papers range from 1 to 3 pages. However, this can vary depending on your specific assignment or the requirements of the project you're proposing.

The key is to focus on the essentials. Include a brief introduction to your topic, a clear statement of your purpose or objective, an overview of your methodology or approach, and a summary of the potential impact or significance of your project. And if you ever need further help, simply ask us - write my research paper for the professionally crafted project.

Concept Paper Vs. Research Paper

While both concept papers and research papers are common in academia, they serve different purposes and have distinct formats.

A concept paper, as we've discussed, is a concise document that outlines the basic idea or proposal for a project. It's like the blueprint or roadmap for your research endeavor. The focus here is on articulating the central concept, defining the objectives, and outlining the methodology. Think of writing a concept paper as laying the groundwork before diving into the detailed work of a research project.

On the other hand, a research paper is a more comprehensive and in-depth exploration of a topic or question. It involves conducting original research, analyzing data, and presenting findings in a formal written format. Research papers typically follow a structured format, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

How to Write a Concept Paper in 8 Steps

Alright, getting into the nitty-gritty of writing your concept paper format might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but don't worry! We've got your back. By breaking down the process into eight manageable steps, we'll guide you through each stage with clarity and confidence.

Define the Study Title and Its Objectives

The first crucial step in crafting your concept paper is to clearly define the study title and its objectives. This sets the foundation for your entire paper and helps guide your research direction.

Begin by crafting a clear and concise title that effectively communicates the essence of your study. Your title should be descriptive yet succinct, giving readers a glimpse into the focus of your research.

Next, outline the objectives of your study. What specific goals do you aim to achieve through your research? Be precise and realistic in outlining these objectives, ensuring they are achievable within the scope of your study.

Explain the Study's Context and Extent

After defining the title and objectives, it's essential to provide context and define the extent of your study. This step of how to write a concept paper for college helps readers understand the background and scope of your research.

Start by providing background information on the topic of your study. Discuss relevant theories, concepts, or existing research that contextualizes your work and highlights its importance.

Next, define the extent of your study by outlining its boundaries and limitations. What specific aspects of the topic will you focus on, and what areas will you exclude? Clarifying these boundaries helps ensure that your research remains focused and manageable.

Additionally, consider discussing the significance of your study within the broader field. How does your research contribute to existing knowledge, and what potential impact does it have?

Identify the Issue

This is where you clearly articulate the core challenge or question that your research seeks to explore. Start by providing a concise overview of the issue at hand. What is the specific problem or question that motivates your research? Why is it important or relevant within your field of study?

Next, consider providing context or background information that helps readers understand the significance of the issue. This could include discussing relevant trends, statistics, or real-world examples that highlight the importance of addressing the problem.

Finally, be sure to articulate the significance of the issue within the broader context of your field. Why is it important to study this particular issue, and what potential impact could your research have on addressing it?

List Goals and Objectives

In this step, you'll make a concept paper outline of the specific goals and objectives of your study. Goals represent the broader aims of your research, while objectives provide clear, measurable steps toward achieving those goals.

Start by defining your overarching goals. What do you hope to accomplish through your research? Think about the broader outcomes or changes you aim to bring about in your field or community.

Next, break down these goals into smaller, achievable objectives. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). They should outline the concrete steps you will take to accomplish your goals.

Consider organizing your goals and objectives into a hierarchical structure, with broader goals at the top and more specific objectives underneath. Even if you'd rather buy essay from our pros, this step will help you provide clarity and coherence to your research plan.

Approach and Methodology

In this step, you'll detail the approach and methodology you'll use to conduct your research. According to our expert thesis writing service , this section is crucial as it outlines the methods you'll employ to address your research question and achieve your objectives.

Start by explaining your overall approach to research. Will you be conducting qualitative or quantitative research, or perhaps a combination of both? Describe the rationale behind your chosen approach and how it aligns with your research goals.

Next, outline the specific methodologies you'll use to collect and analyze data. This may include methods such as surveys, interviews, experiments, or literature reviews. Provide justification for why each method is appropriate for addressing your research question and objectives.

Be sure to consider any ethical considerations or limitations associated with your chosen methodologies and outline how you plan to address them.

Finally, discuss your data analysis plan. How will you analyze the data you collect to draw meaningful conclusions? Will you use statistical analysis, thematic coding, or another method?

Overview of Planned Methods and Expected Outcomes

In this step of how to write a concept paper for research, you'll provide an overview of the specific methods you plan to use and outline the expected outcomes or results.

Start by summarizing the methods you'll employ to collect data. This may include qualitative methods such as interviews or focus groups, quantitative methods such as surveys or experiments, or a combination of both. Briefly explain why you've chosen these methods and how they align with your research goals.

Next, outline the planned steps for implementing each method. Describe the procedures you'll follow to collect and analyze data, including any tools or instruments you'll use.

After detailing your methods, discuss the expected outcomes or results of your research. What do you hope to learn or discover through your study? How will your findings contribute to existing knowledge in your field?

Be realistic in your expectations and consider potential challenges or limitations that may affect your results. By acknowledging these factors upfront, you demonstrate a thoughtful and nuanced understanding of your research process.

Include Supporting Details

Here, you'll enrich your concept paper by incorporating supporting details that bolster your argument and provide additional context for your research.

Start by providing relevant background information or literature reviews that support your research topic. This could include citing key studies, theories, or concepts that inform your understanding of the issue.

Next, consider including any relevant data, statistics, or examples that illustrate the significance of your research topic. This could involve presenting findings from previous studies, real-world examples, or case studies that highlight the need for further investigation.

Additionally, discuss any theoretical frameworks or conceptual models that underpin your research approach. How do these frameworks help guide your study and shape your research questions?

Finally, be sure to cite your sources properly using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA). This demonstrates academic integrity and allows readers to verify the information you've presented.

Wrap Up with a Summary

In this final step, you'll bring your concept paper to a close by summarizing the key points and reinforcing the significance of your research.

If you're uncertain how to write a conclusion for an essay , start by briefly recapping the main elements of your concept paper, including the research topic, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. This helps reinforce the central message of your paper and reminds readers of the key insights you've presented.

Next, reiterate the importance of your research topic and its potential impact within your field. Emphasize how your study fills a gap in existing knowledge or addresses a pressing issue, highlighting the relevance and significance of your research.

Finally, conclude with a call to action or a thought-provoking statement that encourages further reflection or discussion. This could involve suggesting avenues for future research, proposing practical implications for policymakers or practitioners, or inviting readers to consider the broader implications of your findings.

Tips for Writing a Concept Paper

Now that you've got a solid understanding of how to write a concept paper, let's explore some invaluable tips to help you navigate the writing process with finesse.

• Be Specific in Your Objectives : Clearly define your objectives with measurable outcomes. Avoid vague language and ensure each objective is actionable and achievable within the scope of your study. Specific objectives provide clarity and help guide your research effectively.
• Provide Contextual Background : Offer sufficient background information to contextualize your research topic. This includes explaining relevant theories, historical context, or existing literature related to your study. Providing context in your concept paper helps readers understand the significance of your research and its relevance within the broader field.
• Justify Your Methodological Choices : Explain why you've chosen specific research methods and justify their appropriateness for your study. Consider factors such as feasibility, ethical considerations, and alignment with your research objectives. Providing a rationale for your methodological choices adds credibility to your research approach.
• Anticipate and Address Limitations : Acknowledge potential limitations or challenges associated with your study and discuss how you plan to mitigate them. This demonstrates a thoughtful approach to your research and shows that you've considered the broader implications of your study. Being transparent about limitations also helps manage expectations and build trust with your audience.

Concept Paper Example

Now that we've explored the steps and tips for writing a concept paper let's put theory into practice. In this section, we'll provide you with a concept paper example to illustrate how these principles can be applied in a real-world scenario.

Eager to See Your Ideas Leap Off the Page?

Don't wait any longer—bring your concepts to life with our expertly crafted concept papers.

Concept Paper Topics

In this section, we'll provide you with a range of thought-provoking concept paper ideas spanning various disciplines and interests. Whether you're passionate about social issues, scientific advancements, or want to learn how to research a topic on cultural phenomena, you're sure to find inspiration here.

• The Influence of Instagram Fitness Influencers on Body Image Perception Among Adolescent Girls
• Implementing Bicycle-Sharing Programs to Reduce Carbon Emissions in Downtown Metropolitan Areas
• Analyzing the Effectiveness of Food Pantry Programs in Alleviating Food Insecurity Among Undergraduate Students at Urban Universities
• Assessing the Accuracy and Efficiency of Machine Learning Algorithms in Early Detection of Breast Cancer Using Medical Imaging Data
• Strategies for Increasing Female Representation in Computer Science and Engineering Programs at Universities
• Investigating the Impact of Workplace Mindfulness Programs on Employee Burnout Rates in High-stress Industries
• Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services in Rural Appalachia: A Case Study
• The Ecological Impact of Microplastic Contamination on Coral Reef Ecosystems in the Caribbean
• Addressing Online Harassment and Cyberbullying Among Middle School Students Through Digital Literacy Education Programs
• The Relationship Between Proximity to Parks and Greenspaces and Mental Health Outcomes in Urban Dwellers: A Cross-sectional Study
• Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Therapy Methods
• Evaluating the Economic Viability and Environmental Sustainability of Indoor Vertical Farming Systems in Urban Settings
• Psychological Profiles of Adolescent Online Gamers: A Longitudinal Study on Risk Factors for Gaming Addiction
• Peer Mentoring Interventions for Improving Academic Performance and Retention Rates Among First-generation College Students in STEM Majors
• Universal Basic Income Pilot Programs: Assessing Socioeconomic Impacts and Policy Implications in Scandinavian Countries.

And there you have it - you've journeyed through the ins and outs of concept paper writing! You've learned the ropes, discovered valuable tips, explored an example, and got a bunch of topic ideas to fuel your creativity.

Now armed with the know-how, it's time to dive in and start crafting your concept paper. Remember to keep it focused, stay organized, and don't forget to let your passion shine through. With your enthusiasm and newfound skills, there's no doubt you'll create a paper that grabs attention and makes a real impact in your field.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Related Articles

Community Blog

Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders.

What is a Concept Paper and How do You Write One?

• By DiscoverPhDs
• August 26, 2020

What is a Concept Paper?

A concept paper is a short document written by a researcher before starting their research project, with the purpose of explaining what the study is about, why it is important and the methods that will be used.

The concept paper will include your proposed research title, a brief introduction to the subject, the aim of the study, the research questions you intend to answer, the type of data you will collect and how you will collect it. A concept paper can also be referred to as a research proposal.

What is the Purpose of a Concept Paper?

The primary aim of a research concept paper is to convince the reader that the proposed research project is worth doing. This means that the reader should first agree that the research study is novel and interesting. They should be convinced that there is a need for this research and that the research aims and questions are appropriate.

Finally, they should be satisfied that the methods for data collection proposed are feasible, are likely to work and can be performed within the specific time period allocated for this project.

The three main scenarios in which you may need to write a concept paper are if you are:

• A final year undergraduate or master’s student preparing to start a research project with a supervisor.
• A student submitting a research proposal to pursue a PhD project under the supervision of a professor.
• A principal investigator submitting a proposal to a funding body to secure financial support for a research project.

How Long is a Concept Paper?

The concept paper format is usually between 2 and 3 pages in length for students writing proposals for undergraduate, master’s or PhD projects. Concept papers written as part of funding applications may be over 20 pages in length.

How do you Write a Concept Paper?

There are 6 important aspects to consider when writing a concept paper or research proposal:

• 1. The wording of the title page, which is best presented as a question for this type of document. At this study concept stage, you can write the title a bit catchier, for example “Are 3D Printed Engine Parts Safe for Use in Aircraft?”.
• A brief introduction and review of relevant existing literature published within the subject area and identification of where the gaps in knowledge are. This last bit is particularly important as it guides you in defining the statement of the problem. The concept paper should provide a succinct summary of ‘the problem’, which is usually related to what is unknown or poorly understood about your research topic . By the end of the concept paper, the reader should be clear on how your research idea will provide a ‘solution’ to this problem.
• The overarching research aim of your proposed study and the objectives and/or questions you will address to achieve this aim. Align all of these with the problem statement; i.e. write each research question as a clear response to addressing the limitations and gaps identified from previous literature. Also give a clear description of your primary hypothesis.
• The specific data outputs that you plan to capture. For example, will this be qualitative or quantitative data? Do you plan to capture data at specific time points or at other defined intervals? Do you need to repeat data capture to asses any repeatability and reproducibility questions?
• The research methodology you will use to capture this data, including any specific measurement or analysis equipment and software you will use, and a consideration of statistical tests to help interpret the data. If your research requires the use of questionnaires, how will these be prepared and validated? In what sort of time frame would you plan to collect this data?
• Finally, include a statement of the significance of the study , explaining why your research is important and impactful. This can be in the form of a concluding paragraph that reiterate the statement of the problem, clarifies how your research will address this and explains who will benefit from your research and how.

You may need to include a short summary of the timeline for completing the research project. Defining milestones of the time points at which you intend to complete certain tasks can help to show that you’ve considered the practicalities of running this study. It also shows that what you have proposed is feasible in order to achieve your research goal.

If you’re pitching your proposed project to a funder, they may allocate a proportion of the money based on the satisfactory outcome of each milestone. These stakeholders may also be motivated by knowing that you intend to convert your dissertation into an article for journal publication; this level of dissemination is of high importance to them.

Additionally, you may be asked to provide a brief summary of the projected costs of running the study. For a PhD project this could be the bench fees associated with consumables and the cost of any travel if required.

Make sure to include references and cite all other literature and previous research that you discuss in your concept paper.

This guide gave you an overview of the key elements you need to know about when writing concept papers. The purpose of these are first to convey to the reader what your project’s purpose is and why your research topic is important; this is based on the development of a problem statement using evidence from your literature review.

Explain how it may positively impact your research field and if your proposed research design is appropriate and your planned research method achievable.

PhD stress is real. Learn how to combat it with these 5 tips.

Tenure is a permanent position awarded to professors showing excellence in research and teaching. Find out more about the competitive position!

This post gives you the best questions to ask at a PhD interview, to help you work out if your potential supervisor and lab is a good fit for you.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Browse PhDs Now

An In Press article is a paper that has been accepted for publication and is being prepared for print.

Considering whether to do an MBA or a PhD? If so, find out what their differences are, and more importantly, which one is better suited for you.

Chris is a third (and final) year PhD student at Ulster University. His project aims to develop a novel method of delivering antibiofilm compounds directly to an infected wound bed in patients.

Prof Cotton gained her DPhil in the school of education at Oxford University. She is now the Director of Academic Practice and Professor of Higher Education at Plymouth Marjon University.

Join Thousands of Students

(ECC) Carry On

Explaining a concept.

• Article Databases
• 1. Purpose & Project Overview
• 2. Concept Topic Choice
• 3. Audience

Concepts are central to the understanding of virtually every subject—in the community, at work, and in college. Concepts are the building blocks of academic subjects, and they include principles, ideals, theories, ideas, conditions, phenomena, and processes. To communicate effectively and efficiently about a particular subject—whether you are writing to insiders or novices—you need to be able to use and explain concepts clearly and compellingly.

Concepts serve a variety of purposes and can be written in a variety of formats. The main purpose of explaining a concept is to convey the information to the readers so that they can understand the scope of the concept. The information in a concept essay typically comes from carefully kept records and/or from research so that the writer becomes the expert on the topic. As you write this essay, you will also engage in developing your expository writing skills .

Choose any interesting concept of your choice based on the book Carry On by Lisa Fenn.

Your broad topic will have to be narrowed down to a more manageable size. Here are a few broad topic ideas: poverty, family, faith, race, disability, accidents, Paralympics, teen parenting, addiction, mental health, coaching, etc.

An example of how to narrow down a broad topic: poverty >> homelessness >> homelessness in the United States >> homelessness in Iowa

In your proposal, bibliography, and final essay, you must establish a clear and evident connection to the themes in the book. You may use the book as one of your sources if you wish.

The audience for this essay is a group of college-educated people who are not very familiar with the concept you selected. Your goal is to educate them and explain the concept to them.

I sometimes tell my students to think about this assignment as if they were writing a chapter of a textbook that would be read by their audience. What would it sound like (academic tone)? What information would be included (scholarly examples, facts, etc.)?

Explaining a Concept: Grading

• 5. Annotated Bibliography Requirements (5 x 10 = 50 points)
• 6. Proposal Requirements (50 points)
• 7. Concept Essay Requirements (220 points)

Do your research. Select five (5) valid sources you will use to write your research paper. At least two of your sources must originate from ProQuest Research Library.

• Begin your research by going to the ECC Library or MCC Library website
• Scroll down and click on Find Articles
• Then scroll down and select the “ProQuest Research Library.” You may have to log in using your ID/password (same login as Blackboard or Canvas)

Download the Annotated Bibliography Template and complete it.

• Go to File —> Download as —> Microsoft Word (.docx) to make the file your own
• Evaluate the authority and credibility of your sources. Use the CRA A P test .
• Write five separate textual analyses (summaries) for the five sources you selected.
• Submit the completed template into its dropbox.
• Do not use Wikipedia, BuzzFeed, and other similar non-credible sources.

Write a concept essay proposal, which will be one to two pages long. Follow basic MLA 8 layout (See the Purdue OWL MLA 8 Guide ). Use headings and subheadings if necessary. Submit the finished proposal via designated dropbox.

The proposal is intended to help you develop plans and goals for completing this complex assignment. Think carefully about all aspects of the essay and then put those thoughts into writing. This should help you focus on completing this assignment successfully.

The finished proposal should include:

• A narrowed topic that relates to the broad topics outlined on page 1 and the reason for making this selection.
• An explanation about why your narrow topic would be interesting or important to the audience.
• This link to Purdue OWL may help you write an expository thesis statement

Example: For millennia, and often with disastrous consequences, humans have modified the Earth’s natural systems to fit their needs; therefore, to help future generations learn from our past mistakes, the field of environmental photography was born.

topic (concept) = environmental photography; attitude = writer believes that human modification of the Earth’s natural systems was negative, so that’s the lens through which the writer will approach the explanation of the topic

• A plan for organizing the information, including at least three main points that would be used in the essay. Try to predict which writing strategies seem like the logical choice(s) for you to incorporate (common strategies = cause/effect, classify/divide, compare/contrast, definition, process, narration).
• A plan for keeping track of research to make sure that you do not accidentally plagiarize or give credit to the wrong source.
• Conclude your proposal with questions and concerns about the essay. I will do my best to address them in writing.

Write a concept essay that is 1,500-2,000 words in length. The essay content should be primarily informative, objective (not opinionated), and thorough. The essay must include a focused explanation of the concept you selected.

Ask yourself: “What is the main point I want to make?” The point should answer the “So what?” question, including “Why am I writing about this concept? Why is it interesting or important?”

• The essay must include clear and logical organization, and employ explanatory strategies such as definition, classification, comparison-contrast, example, cause-effect, and/or illustration.
• The essay should be research-based, accurate, and timely.

Do not move from one quote or paraphrase to the next. The research needs to be synthesized, and all parts of the essay need to include your personal, original, and logical connections and explanations so that your audience can clearly understand the information.

• The essay must have a one-sentence thesis statement that indicates your topic and stance on the subject.
• If appropriate, use headings to identify the different parts of the essay.
• At least one graphic or visual must be included in the essay. The graphic may be a photo, map, chart, graph, or table. Make sure that the image is properly scaled and easy to read. Any image that is included would need a caption/label and documentation if you did not take the photo or create the image yourself. Place the caption/label right underneath the image/figure. Image documentation should look like this example: Image 1 found on 7 March 2021 at http://www.iowafalls.com/ifs.jpg
• The final essay and the Works Cited page must follow MLA 8 citation guidelines. The Works Cited page does not count towards the minimum word count.
• Each research article must have at least one in-text citation (a summary, a paraphrase, or a direct quotation) in the essay.
• Carefully edit and proofread the final draft to eliminate errors in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Pay attention to word choice and writing style.
• Submit the final draft as an attachment via designated dropbox. Submissions through email or Inbox Messages will not be accepted.
• Only DOC, DOCX, ODT, RTF, or PDF file types will be accepted.
• << Previous: Assignment
• Next: Books >>
• Last Updated: Sep 7, 2022 1:22 PM
• URL: https://iavalley.libguides.com/c.php?g=1181240

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Finance and Business
• Business Skills
• Business Writing

How to Write a Concept Paper

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,628,692 times. Learn more...

If you’ve got a great idea for a new product, program, or service, writing a concept paper is one way to seek funding for it. Concept papers describe the purpose and projected outcomes of the project, and are delivered to potential sponsors. To create a successful one, use clear, passionate language that expresses why your project matters, and who will benefit from it. Above all, show the sponsor that the goals of your project match up with the kinds of initiatives they want to support.

Sample Concept Papers

Establishing the Purpose

• For instance, you could start off your paper with an attention-grabbing statistic related to your project: “Every year, 10.5 million pounds of food go to waste due to one common pest: rats.”
• Giving your concept paper a descriptive title, like “Lock the Rat Box: Humane, Hands-Free Rodent Control,” is another good way to grab their attention.

• Try something like: “The Savco Foundation has long been committed to funding projects that foster healthy communities. We have developed Lock the Rat Box as an easy, cost-effective means to lower illness rates and sanitation costs in municipalities, and are seeking your support for the project.”

• For instance, your concept paper could include a statement like: “Rats are a nuisance, but also a serious vector of diseases such as rabies and the bubonic plague. Municipalities across the United States spend upwards of twenty million dollars a year combating these issues.”
• Include references to verify any data you cite.

Explaining How your Concept Works

• For instance, your project may involve building a prototype device to humanely trap rats.
• Your methods might also involve activities. For instance, you may propose advertising programs to educate communities about rat problems, or sending investigators to study the extent of the issue in various communities.

• Try using statements like: “While previous governmental services have explained rat infestations via poster, radio, and television campaigns, they have not taken advantage of social media as a means of connecting with community members. Our project fills that gap.”

• For example: “February 2018: sign a lease for a workshop space. Late February 2018: purchase materials for Lock the Rat Box prototype. March 2018: conduct preliminary tests of the prototype.”

• Other assessment tools could include things like surveys to gauge customer satisfaction, community involvement, or other metrics.

• Personnel, including any assistants
• Equipment and supplies
• Consultants you may need to bring in
• Space (rent, for example)

Reviewing the Draft

• If the application requests a particular format, follow the directions exactly.
• Otherwise, type your paper in a standard font at a readable size (12 point is good), number your pages, and use reasonable margins (1 inch all around is fine).

• For instance, avoid statements like “We believe that our product, Lock the Rat Box, could potentially help certain municipalities at least control rat infestations.”
• A stronger statement would be: “Lock the Rat Box will curtail rat infestations in any mid-sized municipality, and completely eradicate them in many cases.”

• If you are writing for a general, non-expert audience, ask someone unfamiliar with your project to read your concept paper and tell you if there were any parts they did not understand.

• Have someone who has not previously read your concept paper take a look at the final draft before you submit it. They’ll be more likely to catch any lingering errors.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.aub.edu.lb/ogc/Documents/Writing_Concept_Paper.pdf
• ↑ https://ovpr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2557/2018/09/How-to-Write-a-Concept-Paper.pdf
• ↑ https://www.ias.edu/sites/default/files/media-assets/Guidance%20Doc_Concept%20Paper.pdf
• ↑ https://www.umass.edu/cfr/grant-writing/guidelines-letter-intent

About This Article

To write a concept paper for a new product, program, or service, start with a descriptive, attention-grabbing title. Then, explain why you’re approaching the sponsor by describing what your project goals have in common with their company mission. Next, describe the problem you want to solve, and the methods you’ll use in order to solve it. Additionally, include a timeline for implementing your methods, and a preliminary budget with a list of the estimated costs. Finally, end your paper with a short summary reiterating your project’s purpose. For more advice, including how to make your paper stand out with proper formatting and action-oriented language, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Kathryn Torres

Jul 17, 2020

Did this article help you?

Ongole Churchill

Jun 17, 2016

Ruth Denson

Mar 6, 2020

Naseem Khan

Apr 4, 2019

Kumudham Sandrasegaran

Oct 5, 2018

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

What is an Essay?

10 May, 2020

11 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

Well, beyond a jumble of words usually around 2,000 words or so - what is an essay, exactly? Whether you’re taking English, sociology, history, biology, art, or a speech class, it’s likely you’ll have to write an essay or two. So how is an essay different than a research paper or a review? Let’s find out!

Defining the Term – What is an Essay?

The essay is a written piece that is designed to present an idea, propose an argument, express the emotion or initiate debate. It is a tool that is used to present writer’s ideas in a non-fictional way. Multiple applications of this type of writing go way beyond, providing political manifestos and art criticism as well as personal observations and reflections of the author.

An essay can be as short as 500 words, it can also be 5000 words or more.  However, most essays fall somewhere around 1000 to 3000 words ; this word range provides the writer enough space to thoroughly develop an argument and work to convince the reader of the author’s perspective regarding a particular issue.  The topics of essays are boundless: they can range from the best form of government to the benefits of eating peppermint leaves daily. As a professional provider of custom writing, our service has helped thousands of customers to turn in essays in various forms and disciplines.

Origins of the Essay

Over the course of more than six centuries essays were used to question assumptions, argue trivial opinions and to initiate global discussions. Let’s have a closer look into historical progress and various applications of this literary phenomenon to find out exactly what it is.

Today’s modern word “essay” can trace its roots back to the French “essayer” which translates closely to mean “to attempt” .  This is an apt name for this writing form because the essay’s ultimate purpose is to attempt to convince the audience of something.  An essay’s topic can range broadly and include everything from the best of Shakespeare’s plays to the joys of April.

The essay comes in many shapes and sizes; it can focus on a personal experience or a purely academic exploration of a topic.  Essays are classified as a subjective writing form because while they include expository elements, they can rely on personal narratives to support the writer’s viewpoint.  The essay genre includes a diverse array of academic writings ranging from literary criticism to meditations on the natural world.  Most typically, the essay exists as a shorter writing form; essays are rarely the length of a novel.  However, several historic examples, such as John Locke’s seminal work “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” just shows that a well-organized essay can be as long as a novel.

The Essay in Literature

The essay enjoys a long and renowned history in literature.  They first began gaining in popularity in the early 16 th century, and their popularity has continued today both with original writers and ghost writers.  Many readers prefer this short form in which the writer seems to speak directly to the reader, presenting a particular claim and working to defend it through a variety of means.  Not sure if you’ve ever read a great essay? You wouldn’t believe how many pieces of literature are actually nothing less than essays, or evolved into more complex structures from the essay. Check out this list of literary favorites:

• The Book of My Lives by Aleksandar Hemon
• Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
• Against Interpretation by Susan Sontag
• High-Tide in Tucson: Essays from Now and Never by Barbara Kingsolver
• Slouching Toward Bethlehem by Joan Didion
• Naked by David Sedaris
• Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau

Pretty much as long as writers have had something to say, they’ve created essays to communicate their viewpoint on pretty much any topic you can think of!

The Essay in Academics

Not only are students required to read a variety of essays during their academic education, but they will likely be required to write several different kinds of essays throughout their scholastic career.  Don’t love to write?  Then consider working with a ghost essay writer !  While all essays require an introduction, body paragraphs in support of the argumentative thesis statement, and a conclusion, academic essays can take several different formats in the way they approach a topic.  Common essays required in high school, college, and post-graduate classes include:

Five paragraph essay

This is the most common type of a formal essay. The type of paper that students are usually exposed to when they first hear about the concept of the essay itself. It follows easy outline structure – an opening introduction paragraph; three body paragraphs to expand the thesis; and conclusion to sum it up.

Argumentative essay

These essays are commonly assigned to explore a controversial issue.  The goal is to identify the major positions on either side and work to support the side the writer agrees with while refuting the opposing side’s potential arguments.

Compare and Contrast essay

This essay compares two items, such as two poems, and works to identify similarities and differences, discussing the strength and weaknesses of each.  This essay can focus on more than just two items, however.  The point of this essay is to reveal new connections the reader may not have considered previously.

Definition essay

This essay has a sole purpose – defining a term or a concept in as much detail as possible. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, not quite. The most important part of the process is picking up the word. Before zooming it up under the microscope, make sure to choose something roomy so you can define it under multiple angles. The definition essay outline will reflect those angles and scopes.

Descriptive essay

Perhaps the most fun to write, this essay focuses on describing its subject using all five of the senses.  The writer aims to fully describe the topic; for example, a descriptive essay could aim to describe the ocean to someone who’s never seen it or the job of a teacher.  Descriptive essays rely heavily on detail and the paragraphs can be organized by sense.

Illustration essay

The purpose of this essay is to describe an idea, occasion or a concept with the help of clear and vocal examples. “Illustration” itself is handled in the body paragraphs section. Each of the statements, presented in the essay needs to be supported with several examples. Illustration essay helps the author to connect with his audience by breaking the barriers with real-life examples – clear and indisputable.

Informative Essay

Being one the basic essay types, the informative essay is as easy as it sounds from a technical standpoint. High school is where students usually encounter with informative essay first time. The purpose of this paper is to describe an idea, concept or any other abstract subject with the help of proper research and a generous amount of storytelling.

Narrative essay

This type of essay focuses on describing a certain event or experience, most often chronologically.  It could be a historic event or an ordinary day or month in a regular person’s life. Narrative essay proclaims a free approach to writing it, therefore it does not always require conventional attributes, like the outline. The narrative itself typically unfolds through a personal lens, and is thus considered to be a subjective form of writing.

Persuasive essay

The purpose of the persuasive essay is to provide the audience with a 360-view on the concept idea or certain topic – to persuade the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint. The viewpoints can range widely from why visiting the dentist is important to why dogs make the best pets to why blue is the best color.  Strong, persuasive language is a defining characteristic of this essay type.

The Essay in Art

Several other artistic mediums have adopted the essay as a means of communicating with their audience.  In the visual arts, such as painting or sculpting, the rough sketches of the final product are sometimes deemed essays.  Likewise, directors may opt to create a film essay which is similar to a documentary in that it offers a personal reflection on a relevant issue.  Finally, photographers often create photographic essays in which they use a series of photographs to tell a story, similar to a narrative or a descriptive essay.

Drawing the line – question answered

“What is an Essay?” is quite a polarizing question. On one hand, it can easily be answered in a couple of words. On the other, it is surely the most profound and self-established type of content there ever was. Going back through the history of the last five-six centuries helps us understand where did it come from and how it is being applied ever since.

If you must write an essay, follow these five important steps to works towards earning the “A” you want:

• Understand and review the kind of essay you must write
• Brainstorm your argument
• Find research from reliable sources to support your perspective
• Cite all sources parenthetically within the paper and on the Works Cited page
• Follow all grammatical rules

Generally speaking, when you must write any type of essay, start sooner rather than later!  Don’t procrastinate – give yourself time to develop your perspective and work on crafting a unique and original approach to the topic.  Remember: it’s always a good idea to have another set of eyes (or three) look over your essay before handing in the final draft to your teacher or professor.  Don’t trust your fellow classmates?  Consider hiring an editor or a ghostwriter to help out!

If you are still unsure on whether you can cope with your task – you are in the right place to get help. HandMadeWriting is the perfect answer to the question “Who can write my essay?”

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

• How It Works
• All Projects
• Top-Rated Pages
• Admission essay writing
• Book report writing
• Coursework writing
• Dissertation writing
• Essay editing
• MBA essay writing
• Scholarship essay writing
• Write my essay
• Free sample essays
• Writing blog

147 Concept Essay Topics For Your Inspiration

Concept papers are common among college and university students writing their research projects. Such projects are not as easy as popular essays since they involve vigorous research and articulate explanations. Since not all students can achieve this easily, professors have noted poor performance in this area. However, this article seeks to break the ground for you by examining what a concept paper is at length, giving a step-by-step guide on how to write it, and providing you with professional writing ideas for concept papers.

Are you ready to succeed painstakingly in your concept essay? Keep reading!

What Is Concept Essay?

It is a brief paper written by a student before starting their research project to explain the purpose of the study, its relevance, and methods used in the research. In other words, you can think of it as a detailed outline of your research project that will form the basis of the final document. It is also called a research proposal.

There are critical elements of a concept paper that give it value and meaning, such as:

The research title A brief introduction to the subject Aim of the study Research questions you intend to answer Type of data to be collected How you will collect the data

It is important to note that a student writes this paper before undertaking the research.

Purpose Of Concept Essay

Students primarily write a concept essay to show the reader the worth of the research project they intend to undertake. As the professor or supervisor goes through a concept paper, they should be able to agree that the study is interesting and relevant. Therefore, a student should labor to show the need for the research through the aims and research questions raised.

This paper also seeks to authenticate the methods for data collection by showing that they are realistic, likely to work, and achievable within the set timelines. Remember that every research project has a specific period allocated to it, and therefore there is a need to consider this.

Now, who should write a concept essay?

• Undergraduate or postgraduate scholars during their coursework
• A student who wants to pursue a Ph.D. project
• A principal investigator who is seeking additional funds for a project

There is a need for convincing to get approval to proceed to the next stage in all three instances.

How To Write Concept Essay

Here, we will begin with the essentials of this paper by highlighting the basics and length required. Now, an effective concept essay should be two to three pages long. Others can go up to 20 pages long – those requesting funds.

That should tell you that intensive research is needed to convince your professor in only three pages. Within this length, you should be able to clearly explain the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of your proposed research project.

When writing your concept paper, here are key considerations:

The research title should be brief and catchy. As we will see in the sample paper topics herein, the title carries greater weight and thus should have the most attention during your preparation. The intro should also be brief but detailed with a published literature review and identify the knowledge gaps. As you identify the gaps, you will build up your problem statement. Remember that this research paper will bring a solution to a particular problem pointed out at this stage. You should also align the aims and objectives of your study to the problem statement. When writing the research question, ensure that it addresses the knowledge gaps from existing literature. Determine whether you will capture quantitative or qualitative data and define the intervals. Have a laid-out research methodology with specific measurements or equipment. Conclude by stating the significance of your study and its impact. It should also show the beneficiaries of your research project.

With these tips at hand, we can now proceed to the sample topics for the concept essay. However you don’t need to worry if you don’t feel like writing an essay even with our topics. You can buy college essays online from our experts and go enjoy the activities you like.

Explaining Concept Essay Topics

• Explain the concept of love in today’s society
• Why is the internet gaining more ground in the 21 st century?
• How do scientists discover a fossil’s age?
• How to develop self-esteem through natural circumstances
• Explain how nuclear weapons bring massive destruction
• How does a computer use its Random Access Memory?
• How to develop white teeth using herbal remedies
• How does wearing a face mask prevent one from contracting a contagious virus?
• Explain the rotation of the earth around the sun
• Discuss the concept of recession
• Explaining the agricultural revolution and its impact on agriculture today
• The concept of religion
• Explain the concept of superpowers
• Why do children watch cartoons a lot?
• Explain how a plane defies gravity.
• Explain the negotiation process
• The concept of polygamy in Africa

Interesting Topics For Concept Essay

• How does one start a business from scratch?
• Why do many students aspire to white-collar jobs?
• Explain the reliability of a university degree in the job market
• Why do students still study the events of WWII?
• How to develop a thriving enterprise
• The concept of weight and sinking objects
• Why commitment is necessary for success
• Explain the disintegration of society through social media
• How does the earth revolve around the sun?
• The concept of integrity among undergraduate students
• How to develop better discernment skills
• What makes a speaker produce sound
• The concept of plants growing towards the source of light

Professional Topics For Concept Essay

• Why do some memories stick with us forever?
• How does one move from a baby to an older man?
• Why do some events make us happy while others make us sad?
• Explain the concept of sibling rivalry among families
• Why do some people celebrate Christmas while others do not?
• Explain the concept of protests and vandalism
• Analyze the concept of gender disparity
• The concept of associations in politics.
• Why are some nations developed while others are still underdeveloped?
• Explain the concept of environmental pollution
• How do theories help us explain natural events?
• Explain the concept of habitual behavior
• Why do people need to study?

Concept Essay Topics Ideas From Expert Writers

• Explain why man intends to colonize other planets
• Is it possible to have enough resources for everyone in the world?
• Do conspiracy theories distort sound judgment?
• Explore the concept of justice and fairness
• Why is cultural diversity necessary in the world?
• Explain how various drugs stimulate the body
• Why do ladies mature faster than their male counterparts?
• Explain the concept of family and relationships
• Why there are gaps in the evolution theory
• Explain why students get anxious over exams
• Describe the concept of public speaking
• Explain how people discover talents and gifting
• Why do people need each other?

Controversial List Of Concept Essay Topics

• Do women have better problem-solving skills than men?
• Who is most shy between men and women?
• Explain the concept of ‘first come, first serve.’
• Why racism is rampant in the European countries
• Why social media is a cause for separation rather than unity
• Should a woman make the first step in courtship?
• Explain the concept of complementary in relationships
• Does magic exist, or is it trickery?
• Is it possible to have a united and collaborative world?
• The concept of vaccination and prevention of diseases
• Why do most children follow their parents’ behaviors?
• Explore the concept of democracy in the United States
• Why exams are making students less productive in the workplace

Good Concept Essay Topics For Undergraduates

• How does the education level impact the socio-economic status of a person?
• Why parents are the ones to instill key morals in their children
• Explain the relationship between health and development
• Why most people prefer to marry in their late 20’s
• Explain the connection between money and pride
• How does a population impact revenue collection?
• The concept of humanitarian aid
• Explore the role of water in the stability of the earth
• The concept of seeking online academic assistance
• How age determines a person’s level of maturity
• Education systems versus development in a country
• The concept of gender and leadership
• Explain the mortality rate in the 21 st century

Good Topics For Concept Essay In College

• The concept of economic prosperity and social classes
• The process of developing SDGs
• The concept of social life among the youth
• Why do babies and older adults sleep more than teens
• The concept of retiring from civil service
• Why do political campaigns cost more than expected
• The concept of truth and political campaigns
• Why propaganda is prominent among politicians
• The role of a university degree in the thinking process of a person
• The growing lifestyle diseases in developed nations
• Discuss the concept of dictatorship rule in select countries
• The concept of break-ups and rebounds in relationships
• The concept of critical thinking in making decisions

Quality Science Topics For Concept Essay

• Discuss what makes a coin sink when dropped in water
• How does heat increase the size of a metal?
• How gravity causes a mango to fall from a tree
• Discuss the concept of thermodynamics in physics
• Why astronomy is the key emphasis of science in the modern world
• Why space exploration is an expensive affair
• The concept of computer engineering in cybersecurity systems
• Discuss why legitimate science findings are evidence-based
• Why do scientists rely on theories and experiments?
• Explain the concept of society versus science
• Discuss the relationship between physiology and anatomy
• Why environmental science is key in conserving the ozone layer
• The concept of molecular biology in disease treatment

Top-Notch Concept Analysis Essay Topics

• The concept of sound and energy
• Why is it necessary for students to engage in group discussions?
• Explain why observation is a critical element of science
• The concept of myths and misconceptions in religion
• The development of icebergs in the polar regions
• Explore how various animals adapt to their habitats
• Why do some animals and plants test positive for coronavirus?
• How does the mass media help in stopping fake information?
• Explain the concept of personal achievements and self-esteem
• Why do organizations engage in charity work?
• Explain why social distancing is now becoming the norm in most places of work
• What distinguishes an essential worker from any other team member?
• Explore the dynamics of classroom learning after COVID-19

Easiest Concept Essay Topics

• Why isolation is not the perfect option for a person suffering from mental health
• Explore why most European families keep pets
• How does optimism affect how a person undertakes a particular task?
• Explain the relationship between the media and people’s communication skills
• Discuss the concept of exercise in preventing obesity among teenagers
• Explain the role of global warming in the extinction of rare species
• Explore the place of distrust in long-distance relationships among teenagers
• Explain the environmental effect of using bicycles over cars in public transport
• The concept of eating healthy food and body immunity
• Why do some kids mature faster than others?
• Explore the concept of panic attacks among women
• Why many ladies are after weight loss and body slimming techniques
• Why does communication lead to a healthy relationship?

Hot Self-Concept Essay Topics

• The relationship between self-image and self-esteem
• Why is the self-concept dynamic and malleable?
• Explain the role of personal behavior in a person’s societal image
• How does the public self vary from the self-concept?
• Explain why intelligence is a cause for positive self-concept
• Discuss the relationship between belonging and self-esteem
• Why do women view themselves as excellent spouses and friends?
• Why are caring and nurturing people more attractive?
• Explain why ladies will always look at a mirror before leaving the house
• The concept of health and self-image
• Why failed dreams and ambitions cause negative self-concepts
• The concept of hopeful statements in self-concept
• Explain how friends determine one’s self-image

Tired Of Endless Assignments?

You have no reason to score poor grades in your concept essay with these impressive topic ideas. Furthermore, we offer cheap and fast custom dissertation service to students who want a perfect paper. Try us today and how you score in your next concept paper.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Have a team of vetted experts take you to the top, with professionally written papers in every area of study.

• Collections
• Support PDR

Search The Public Domain Review

Same as It Ever Was? Eternal Recurrence in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy

By Claire Hall

While Friedrich Nietzsche popularised the notion of an “eternal return” — in which one’s life would occur again, forever, exactly as it did before — the concept was itself a repetition. Claire Hall explores various shades of this idea in ancient philosophy, from Pythagorean metempsychosis to Stoic predictions about a cosmological reset.

May 15, 2024

Stereograph of Carlo Franzoni's 1819 marble sculpture of Clio, the Muse of History, standing in a winged chariot atop a clock, at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., ca. 1860–90 — Source .

Albert Einstein kept changing his mind about the fate of the universe. As a young man, he had — like most other people at the time — believed the universe was static, a fixed size. By the end of his life, Einstein accepted the Big Bang, and had adopted the (now standard) view that the universe will keep growing outward, continuing to expand forever, its lights growing fainter until, eventually, they all fade to an endless inky black. But in between, in the early 1930s, he endorsed a rather different idea: that the universe goes through cosmic cycles.

In a cyclical model, our universe began with a Big Bang and continues to expand — but at some point it will stop. It will then contract, reversing its direction of travel, until eventually all matter collapses into a single point: a Big Crunch. But that is not simply the end of the universe: it is also a new starting point— it triggers another Big Bang, and another universe blooms. This pattern repeats, and repeats. Einstein wasn’t the first to suggest this idea using modern physics. It had been proposed by Alexander Friedmann, a Russian cosmologist whose work was fundamental for establishing the idea of the Big Bang. Friedmann had already been contemplating the physics of cosmic cycles when he died from an unlucky accident: some years earlier on his honeymoon, he had caught typhoid fever from an infected pear bought at a railway station — and in 1925 the infection took over his body.

Recurrence — the idea that the universe will die and be reborn, time and time again — might have been new to physics, but it is not a new idea. Globally, it is found in a number of religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. It was also the subject of philosophical speculation in the premodern world. In particular, in the works of Greek and Roman philosophers, attempts were made to distinguish between different kinds of recurrence. There is the first kind we have already met through modern physics: the idea that the universe as a whole will die and be reborn. But this idea as it appears in Einstein and Friedmann does not make any claim that particular events, objects, or people will recur. What the physicists were interested in was a reshuffling of the cosmos.

Plate from Robert Fludd, Utriusque Cosmi (1617) — Source .

A second type of recurrence is reincarnation, a concept common to many religions. Here the focus is not the world as a whole, but the human or animal soul: each soul is reincarnated, living varying lives in sequences that are determined or governed by some cosmic balance. This can be found alongside an idea of cosmic recurrence, as in Hinduism and Buddhism, but is also consistent with a belief in an eternal world (such as in Jainism or some indigenous Aboriginal religions) or with a stable created world (such as in Sikhism, certain branches of Judaism, and in some of the traditional religions indigenous to the Americas, including that of the Inupiaq people of Alaska). But a third, more extreme idea, is that of exact recurrence — the whole world dies and begins again, and with it every event happens again the same way, in the exact same sequence, forever. Unlike the abstract cosmic rebirth of the physicists, both reincarnation and strict recurrence offer us a reason for the randomness of life’s fortunes, a way to believe that things happen not out of pure chance, but because something from a previous cycle provides a template for the present. Recurrence offers us a bigger picture, a greater web in which to link the vastness of Friedmann’s astrophysical research with the feather-lightness of the chance that killed him.

Greco-Roman writers treated the idea of eternal recurrence in a variety of ways. In a loose sense, many ancient writers observed that there are elements of circularity built into any idea of time measurement. Eudemus, a pupil of Aristotle, recognised this wider context, and put it clearly: “sameness is spoken of in different ways, and it does seem that a time [period] the same in kind recurs, e.g. summer, winter, and the other seasons.” 1 Aristotle himself said that time was “a sort of circle”. 2 Plato had called it “the moving image of eternity”, clearly linking time to the circular movements of the heavens. 3 Early Greek texts on the weather and seasons elaborate this idea of a cycle of time. Hesiod’s Works and Days , for example, presents an almanac of recurring signs for the farmer, while the long-established festival calendars of the Greek city states were often inscribed and displayed, providing a visual clue to the sameness of each changing year.

Greek thinkers also theorised recurrence in the sense of reincarnation. One of the important features of Pythagorean thought is the idea of metempsychosis, or the transmigration of souls. Unfortunately, Pythagoreanism is particularly difficult to reconstruct: much was unwritten, and what was written has in large part been lost. After its first flush of popularity in the pre-Classical Greek world, centuries of often contradictory stories accreted around the cult figure of Pythagoras, silting up the historical record. (Later interpretations of Pythagoreanism are, of course, interesting in their own right as entryways into the teeming philosophical world of Late Antiquity, but they tell us very little about what Greeks of the sixth century BCE really thought). Pythagoreanism’s doctrines shaped a number of the genuinely secretive mystery cults of the Greek world, including Orphism and the Eleusinian mysteries, whose ideas about reincarnation are mostly lost to time. Reincarnation is, therefore, one of those topics on which the Greek texts whisper rather than shout.

Roman mosaic of Orpheus surrounded by animals, from the Piazza della Vittoria in Palermo, ca. 200–250 — Source .

But the philosophical schools that developed after Plato’s time took a more precise and pedantic approach. “I will talk, staff in hand, to you sitting like this, and everything else will be alike.” With these words, Eudemus summarised the view of a group of Stoic philosophers that all the events in the world would exactly recur, again and again. As he details, some Pythagoreans seem to have believed not only in reincarnation, but in exact recurrence: that things would be numerically the same, with the relative order of events exactly mapped between one iteration of the universe and the next. It was an idea reportedly taken up by Chrysippus (ca. 279–206 BCE), the most renowned of all the Stoic philosophers, although other Stoics disagreed. The Stoic version of recurrence had a terrifying additional element to it: the ekpyrosis or great conflagration. Stoics argued that ekpyrosis was a process in which the entire universe periodically goes up in flames and a new world emerges from its ashes like a phoenix — in fact, a lot like the Big Crunch. Many Stoic views are available to us only in later summaries. Hippolytus, a Christian writer of the second century CE, describes the Stoic doctrine, capturing the way in which the passing away of the old and the birth of the new are intertwined:

[The Stoics] expect that there will be a conflagration and a purification of this world, some say entirely, others say in part, and they . . . call the destruction and the subsequent generation of another [world] from it a purification. 4

Writing around the same time as Hippolytus, Alexander of Aphrodisias, a pagan commentator on Aristotle, elaborates on the Chrysippean view:

[Some Stoics] held that after the conflagration all the same things come to be again in the world numerically, so that even the same peculiarly qualified individual as before exists and comes to be again in that world. 5

Some Stoic philosophers explain the theory behind this periodic conflagration with a mysterious astronomical concept: the Great Year. The Great Year appears as a framing device in The Cradle of Life , the 2003 Tomb Raider sequel film starring Angelina Jolie: in a hidden ice cavern, a giant model of the solar system ticks down to the time when the orbits of all nine planets will align. In the ancient world, there were only five known planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Mercury) plus the two luminaries (the Sun and the Moon). If you started a timer at the moment that they were all lined up, their extremely different orbits mean that it would then take approximately 36,000 years before they returned to the same perfect line. The term “Great Year” was used to describe this particular alignment, but it was also used to refer to the time interval that it would take for any particular arrangement of the planets in the sky to occur again. Plato describes it as the “perfect number of time” in the Timaeus , a work which revolves around demonstrating the perfect harmony of the cosmos. 6 Cicero, more practically-minded, says the following:

On the diverse motions of the planets the mathematicians have based what they call the Great Year, which is completed when the sun, moon and five planets having all finished their courses have returned to the same positions relative to one another. The length of this period is hotly debated, but it must necessarily be a fixed and definite time. 7

The Great Year carries in it some idea of a celestial reset, hence its association with ekpyrosis . Although it’s tempting to picture the Stoic ekpyrosis like the death of the dinosaurs in Disney’s Fantasia , with streams drying up and creatures’ scorched flesh falling from their bones, most Stoics were actually rather sober about the whole thing. While the ever-dramatic Seneca luridly imagines cities “swallowed up in yawning chasms” and the inhabited world “cover[ered] with floods”, Marcus Aurelius is more representative of the tradition as a whole: he calmly suggests that everything “will evaporate . . . or it will be scattered”. 8 The time period involved, 36,000 years, is large enough to be basically non-threatening: just as we are able to dismiss without too much fear the idea of the universe eventually collapsing in a heat death in billions of years’ time, the ancients were also reassured by the enormity of the Great Year.

Illustration by Fred T. Jane for George Griffith’s Olga Romanoff (1897) — Source .

This Stoic idea of cosmic cycles — of something like a general refreshing of the universe — became part of the common currency of ancient thought. But for those who wanted to get into detail, recurrence had its conceptual problems. Particularly tricky was the strict form: the exact recurrence that some of the Stoics and Pythagoreans seem to have endorsed. Various philosophers weighed in on these difficulties: first and most fundamentally, if everything recurs exactly, does that not also mean time itself recurs? In that case, does everything actually happen more than once in any meaningful way? If we can only distinguish two otherwise identical events by saying that one happens before the other, that suggests we need an outside observer or a continuous measure of time in order to distinguish sameness and difference. These are exactly grounds on which Eudemus objects to the idea of strict recurrence:

For when the motion is one and the same, and similarly there are many things which are the same, their before and after is one and the same, and hence so is their number. So everything is the same, which means that the time is as well.

Some of this difficulty, as the philosophers realised, is to do with language: what does it mean to claim something happens again or earlier or later in a series of cyclical sequences that occur outside time? Aristotle used this linguistic problem as a way of demarcating between two different types of time. Sometimes we use the term “time” ( chronos ), he argued, when really we mean the scale we’re using to measure change — this is the sense of time we are employing when we say that it took Zeno four minutes to run the race, or that Seneca was in the bath for an hour. But the other type of time is the abstract concept, the thing that he sees as being outside of us, which marches ever onward. As he says:

Time is the measurement of circular motion [of the heavens], and is itself measured by a circular motion [of the heavens] . . . there is nothing else to be seen in what is measured except for the measure. 9

One response to the conceptual problem Aristotle raises was to deny that everything would be exactly the same in a recurring universe — to avoid the question of whether time starts again by positing that there are minutely different universes potentially (even if not practically) distinguishable against a continuous backdrop of ongoing time. This cop-out route seems to have been taken by some of the Stoics. The Christian philosopher Origen of Alexandria (180–250 CE) reports that: “to avoid supposing that Socrates will live again, [some Stoics] say that it will be someone indistinguishable from Socrates, who will marry someone indistinguishable from Xanthippe, and will be accused by men indistinguishable from Anytus and Meletus.” 10

But Origen explained this idea in order to reject it: for him, any kind of recurrence was incompatible with Christian doctrine, in which time had a distinct sense of direction. Most early Christians felt the same. Primarily, they were deeply uncomfortable with any idea of recurrence that included reincarnation: Christians instead believed that a person’s soul would go to heaven (or to hell, which became increasingly dominant in Christian thought as the Middle Ages wore on). The millenarian movement that was so popular in the early Church also supported the idea of the bodily resurrection of all Christians at the time of Jesus’ Second Coming. Reincarnation — where the soul travels through many bodies — was fundamentally incompatible with the idea of resurrection, which kept body and soul connected, even after death. Christian literature of the first few centuries abounds in half-comic, half-ghastly thought experiments about the mechanics of this final universal sorting and reckoning, including a fascination with how the bodies of cannibals and their victims are arranged in heaven.

Michelangelo, The Last Judgement (detail), ca. 1536–41 — Source .

But more strict ideas of recurrence were also unacceptable to Christians: it was totally incompatible with Christian doctrine to suggest that the Creation could be repeated, or that the Second Coming would in truth be one of infinitely many appearances of Christ. In fact, this strong Christian commitment toward the fixed linear structure of time represents an enormous shift in Western thought. Pre-Christian pagans and Jews had articulated a mix of ideas about cyclical and linear time, but in general nearly all ancient Mediterranean cultures had a profound orientation toward the past. Christianity changed that: it was now important to understand our lives on earth in the context of the afterlife, and, beyond it all, structuring it all, God’s final judgement. Time was linear, but chance was also never random — the world ran under the watchful eye of an omniscient God. Ideas about recurrence and reincarnation would fall out of favour in the West for over 1500 years.

Fifty years before Einstein embraced the idea of cosmic cycles, Nietzsche argued for a return to ideas of recurrence. God was dead and with him went the afterlife and its promised judgement of a lifetime of Christian morality. Nietzsche was worried that with this loss, solipsism could sneak in: for him, it was intolerable to think of life as arbitrary or ephemeral. Returning to recurrence was a way to put his own spin on the pre-Christian search for the meaning of life. Nietzsche used Thus Spake Zarathustra (1883–85) to argue that instead of making us feel depressed and trapped, eternal recurrence should be seen as a call to action. He uses recurrence in the strict sense: the exact repetition of the same sequence of events forever. When he first raises the idea in The Gay Science (1882), he imagines a demon explaining this fatalistic doctrine:

You will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in [your life], but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence. 11

Our first reaction to this disclosure, suggests Nietzsche, would be a kind of debilitating horror. But it might then present us with an opportunity for transformation, a challenge to live in such a way as to make time’s recurrence a gift. It is not the ephemerality of life that forces us to live wisely, argues Nietzsche, but the idea of it repeating forever. If you know that you must re-live again and again, your every choice becomes loaded with meaning: you are called on to live totally — fully, joyously, and virtuously. For those who are not crushed by the proposition, recurrence is not a curse but an endless blessing.

Notes Show Notes

• Eudemus as preserved in Simplicius, On Physics 732.26-733.1.
• Aristotle, Physics 4.14.
• Plato, Timaeus 37d.
• Hippolytus, Refutation of all Heresies 1.21.3-5.
• Alexander of Aphrodisias, Commentary on Aristotle’s Prior Analytics 180.33-6.
• Plato, Timaeus 39d.
• Cicero, On the Nature of the Gods 2.51.
• Seneca, Marcia 21.6. Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.4.
• Aristotle, Physics 4.12.
• Contra Celsum IV.68.
• Friedrich Nietzsche, Die fröliche Wissenschaft § 341.

Public Domain Works

• The Internet Classics Archive
• Internet Archive

Further Reading

This collection of articles is an important milestone in the history of the study of time conceptions in Greek and Roman Antiquity. It spans from Homer to Neoplatonism. Conceptions of time are considered from different points of view and sources. Reflections on time were both central and various throughout the history of ancient philosophy. Time was a topic, but also material for poets, historians and doctors. Importantly, the contributions also explore implicit conceptions and how language influences our thought categories.

For over two and a half millennia human beings have attempted to invent strategies to "discover" the truth of time, to determine whether time is infinite, whether eternity is the infinite duration of a continuous present, or whether it too rises and falls with the cycles of universal creation and destruction. Time-Fetishes recounts the history of a tradition that runs counter to the dominant tradition in Western metaphysics, which has sought to purify eternity of its temporal character. From the pre-Socratics to Ovid and Plotinus, and from Shakespeare to Hegel, Schelling, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Derrida, Time-Fetishes traces the secret tradition of the idea of eternal recurrence and situates it as the grounding thought of Western philosophy and literature.

The Public Domain Review receives a small percentage commission from sales made via the links to Bookshop.org (10%) and Amazon (4.5%). Thanks for supporting the project! For more recommended books, see all our “ Further Reading ” books, and browse our dedicated Bookshop.org stores for US and UK readers.

Claire Hall is a research fellow at Durham and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. She is working on a book on ancient ideas about the future and future prediction, and has published on the history of prophecy, astrology, and dream interpretation.

The text of this essay is published under a CC BY-SA license, see here for details.

• Religion, Myth & Legend

If You Liked This…

Get Our Newsletter

Our latest content, your inbox, every fortnight

Prints for Your Walls

Explore our selection of fine art prints, all custom made to the highest standards, framed or unframed, and shipped to your door.

Start Exploring

{{ $localize("payment.title") }}

{{ $localize('payment.no_payment') }}

Pay by Credit Card

Pay with PayPal

{{ $localize('cart.summary') }}

Click for Delivery Estimates

Sorry, we cannot ship to P.O. Boxes.

NASA-funded pulsed plasma rocket concept aims to send astronauts to Mars in 2 months

"The PPR enables a whole new era in space exploration."

An innovative rocket system could revolutionize future deep space missions to Mars, reducing travel time to the Red Planet to just a few months. 

The goal of landing humans on Mars has presented a myriad of challenges, including the need to quickly transport large payloads to and from the distant planet, which, depending on the positions of Earth and Mars, would take almost two years for a round trip using current propulsion technology.

The Pulsed Plasma Rocket (PPR), under development by Howe Industries, is a propulsion system designed to be far more efficient than current methods of deep space propulsion, enabling the trip between Earth and the Red Planet to be made in just two months. Specifically, the rocket will have a high specific impulse or Isp, a measure of how efficiently an engine generates thrust. This technology could therefore enable astronauts and cargo to travel to and from Mars more efficiently and rapidly than existing spacecraft, according to a statement from NASA. 

Related: How long does it take to get to Mars?

Stemming from the Pulsed Fission Fusion concept, the PPR uses a fission-based nuclear power system, which obtains energy from the controlled splitting of atoms, to generate thrust for spacecraft propulsion. However, the PPR is smaller, simpler and more affordable than previous concepts. 

In addition to enabling further range missions, the PPR could support much heavier spacecraft, meaning additional shielding could be installed to reduce a crew's exposure to harmful high-energy particles , called Galactic Cosmic Rays, endured during long-duration spaceflight.

"The PPR enables a whole new era in space exploration," NASA officials said. 

Get the Space.com Newsletter

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

"The exceptional performance of the PPR, combining high Isp and high thrust, holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration," the statement reads. "The system's high efficiency allows for manned missions to Mars to be completed within a mere two months."

—  NASA funds Venus sample-return, interstellar probes and other far-out space tech

 — NASA, DARPA to launch nuclear rocket to orbit by early 2026

— NASA and DARPA will build a nuclear rocket by 2027

The PPR concept is now moving into Phase II of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) study, having completed Phase I, which focused on the neutronics of the propulsion system, designing the spacecraft, power system and necessary subsystems, analyzing the magnetic nozzle capabilities, and determining trajectories and benefits, according to the statement. 

During Phase II, developers will build upon the assessments from Phase I to optimize the engine design, perform proof-of-concept experiments and design a spacecraft concept to better protect crewed flights to Mars. Currently visited only by robotic explorers, the PPR could one day bring NASA closer to establishing a permanent base on Mars .  

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13. 

India makes breakthrough by test-firing new 3D-printed rocket engine (photo)

NASA appoints 1st AI chief to keep agency on 'the cutting edge'

The ancient Egyptian goddess of the sky and how I used modern astronomy to explore her link with the Milky Way

• Unclear Engineer This article is long on assertions and very lacking in explanations. I found this to help explain what a pulsed plasma rocket is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsed_plasma_thruster . And, it sounds like it is not very new or very powerful in its previous versions. So, the development process here is to make a big and powerful version. It is not the plasma fusion created thrust concept that others have been developing. For something about that, see https://pulsarfusion.com/products-development/fusion-propulsion/ . Reply
• danR That (sub-par) video is 3 years old and explains nothing. The text is hardly more helpful. Reply

Unclear Engineer said: This article is long on assertions and very lacking in explanations.

• Unclear Engineer I did not drill down into the article references. But, I would expect NASA to "smell a rat" if the proposal was simply a hoax. The idea seems to be to scale up an existing technology by adding a more powerful energy source to make the electricity needed to create the plasma and direct it aft. The proposal is to use a fission type nuclear reactor instead of solar cells. That seems logical and conceptually doable. We have already build nuclear fission reactors and operated them in space (the SNAP reactors) decades ago. So, it is just a scale-up issue for development, at least conceptually. And the bit about shielding goes along with that. The shielding needed to keep the crew from getting seriously irradiated by the fission reactor in the spacecraft can also be part of the shielding needed to protect the crew from other radiation from the Sun and "cosmic rays". Reply
• Funnyman53(Voytek) Hi, This kind of Theoretical Exercise about Non-existing Space PROPULSION system is A harassment for Logical human mind by NASA... First of all, the Starship from SpaceX will take 90 days to travel to Mars.... So, you telling me that NASA will spend Billions of dollars on Third-party development to "Save" 30days of travel time?! Not to mention this Craft will have Nuclear Reactor on board And we Launch "it" in to Space! WHAT COULD GO WRONG.....?! Reply
• billslugg The pulse rocket is old technology that never panned out due to excessive energy usage, only 10% efficient as compared to other electric propulsion methods such as ion drive. The advantages are simplicity of construction, very small fuel requirements, extremely high exhaust velocity. Reply
• Unclear Engineer There is a good discussion of the differences between "pulsed plasma" and "ion drive" thrusters here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_propulsion_engine . Reply
• View All 7 Comments

Most Popular

• 2 Enchanting new Hubble Telescope image reveals an infant star's sparkle
• 3 Blue Origin launches 1st Black astronaut candidate, age 90, and 5 space tourists on New Shepard rocket (video)
• 4 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' at 25: Who are the angels on the moons of Iego?
• 5 Everything we know about 'A Quiet Place: Day One'

More From Forbes

How small businesses can harness the new banking concept.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Pace Morby is the cohost of A&E TV series, Triple Digit Flip, and runs one of the largest real estate investing communities, SubTo .

You wake up on the first of the month and pay your mortgage and bills through the app on your phone. Then you go grocery shopping and slide your card to pay. On the way home from the grocery store, you fill up your gas tank and, again, you slide your card.

No matter what your daily life looks like, nearly everyone in the world depends on access to their bank account to not only get by in their daily lives but to make their lives easily liveable and their capital accessible. Only 9% of Americans still use cash , which is part of the reason today's economic atmosphere is being deemed the "cashless" economy .

With the systems we use to control our purchasing power changing and evolving, how come the average person still treats digital and paper the same? Especially when it comes to making financial decisions, investing or financing, business practices haven’t always kept up with the times.

Today, small businesses stand at a pivotal crossroads. As we witness a paradigm shift in traditional banking practices, small business leaders must understand these changes and leverage them for sustainable growth. As an investor specializing in creative financing techniques, I’ve seen the immense potential of using non-conventional financial tools to bolster business growth and stability.

Top CEO Bets On A Shock Biden Crypto Flip As Congress Hurtles Toward A Crucial Vote That Could Blow Up The Price Of Bitcoin Ethereum And XRP

Iphone 16 pro max all new design upgrade promised insider claims, who is ebrahim raisi iran’s president—nicknamed ‘butcher of tehran’—dies in helicopter crash..

Traditionally, businesses have relied heavily on banks for loans and financial support. However, with fluctuating interest rates and stringent lending criteria, small businesses may be wondering what other options they have. An alternative approach involves utilizing financial products not typically associated with banking to create a more flexible and controlled financial environment for businesses.

But what does this actually mean?

Key Principles Of A Self-Financing Approach

Traditionally, businesses have leaned heavily on external loans for their financing needs, which often come with rigid terms and can place a strain on the business's cash flow and flexibility. However, by strategically utilizing certain financial products like life insurance and IRAs, businesses can generate their own financing.

Instead of relying heavily on external loans, which often come with rigid terms and can place a strain on a business's cash flow and flexibility, small business leaders can consider leveraging financial products like life insurance and IRAs to generate their own financing. This approach can be useful if traditional financing options are either too costly or not flexible enough to meet dynamic business needs. By tapping into these resources, businesses can potentially improve their liquidity and operational flexibility without the burden of conventional debt.

In modern business, market conditions can fluctuate rapidly, often necessitating immediate access to funds. Traditional loan processes can be time-consuming and may not align with the urgent needs of a business. By contrast, alternative financing methods allow businesses to access capital swiftly, enabling them to respond promptly to opportunities or challenges.

Just as traditional insurance products provide a sense of security and protection, creative and innovative financial strategies should incorporate mechanisms that offer similar benefits. This aspect is particularly important for small businesses, which may otherwise be vulnerable to the shocks and disruptions of the market. By establishing a financial safety net, businesses can ensure continuity and stability, safeguarding their future and that of their employees.

Risks With Self-Financing

Despite the advantages, self-financing through these unconventional methods is not without risks. Small business leaders should be aware of the potential risks associated with the financial tools they are looking to leverage.

The primary concerns include the potential for significant financial loss if the investments tied to these financial products do not perform as expected. Moreover, leveraging instruments like life insurance and IRAs involves complexities and compliance issues that may not suit every business model. Businesses need to consider their capacity to manage these risks and should consult with financial experts to tailor these strategies appropriately.

With innovative financing available for many business owners, why do more people not take advantage to safeguard their businesses? I've found that the answer is that most people have a harder time shifting their mindset to something new.

Adopting A Shift In Mindset

Embracing innovative financial strategies begins with cultivating a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning. Understanding new financial tools is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about rethinking traditional financial assumptions. This mindset encourages businesses to delve deep into the mechanics of alternative financial instruments and explore how they can be specifically applied to meet their unique needs.

To understand your unique business needs, you may need to be open to collaboration. Consulting with financial experts can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that are critical in effectively navigating new financial waters. Businesses must be open to guidance and willing to integrate external advice with their internal strategies, and move away from the small business ideologies of “I can do it all myself.”

Unlike instant solutions offered by traditional methods, these strategies develop and mature over time. Businesses need to stay focused on their long-term goals, patiently nurture their financial plans and be welcoming to gradual progress over instant gratification.

Understanding the real-world applications of these strategies calls for a mindset of practicality and adaptability. It’s about adapting these insights to one's unique business context and being ready to tailor these strategies for your business's health and long-term goals.

Future Outlook For Small Businesses

Small businesses can adapt and embrace innovative financial strategies to stay competitive and secure their future. It's about being proactive, informed and adaptable in the face of change.

The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

A 100-year CD puts a new spin on long-term investing. Is it a good idea?

Savers may want to lock in high interest rates for the long haul before they likely head lower later this year .

But is 100 years too long?

Concord, New Hampshire-based Walden Mutual Bank is finding out. The financial institution is offering a 100-year Local Impact Certificate of Deposit paying a fixed 4.75% annual interest rate.

The CD is open to anyone with $1,000 and up to $150,000 to invest and is Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. insured up to $250,000. The CD allows people to invest alongside Walden to support local agriculture, specifically lending to food and agriculture businesses in New England and New York, the bank said .

“A five-year CD is common, a 10-year CD is a rarity, and a 100-year CD is one-of-a-kind,” said Mary Grace Roske, spokeswoman at CD rates comparison site CDValet.com . “Walden Mutual has created a unique opportunity for people who want to align their values – environmental responsibility, in this case – and their savings, and it’s a creative spin on socially responsible investing .”

Learn more: Best current CD rates

What is the 100-year CD?

Here are the details:

◾ Minimum investment of $1,000 up to $150,000 per individual or organization.

◾ Fixed 4.75% APY for the 100-year life of the CD.

◾ FDIC insurance up to $250,000.

◾ A completed beneficiary form is mandatory at account opening.

◾ You may withdraw your entire deposit at any time by request, subject to a penalty of 10 years' interest. If you withdraw the CD before 10 years, the penalty will reduce the principal value of the CD.

◾ Interest paid can be withdrawn penalty-free at any time, automatically or by request. In approximately 15 years, more than half of your deposit will be interest, which is withdrawable on demand, and penalty-free. For example, if you purchased a CD for $1,000 and withdrew it after 20 years, you would receive $1,942, or an effective interest rate of 3.32%. ◾ Partial withdrawal of principal is not permitted.

◾ It isn’t callable by the bank, meaning only the holder can redeem the bond early.

What is Walden Mutual Bank?

Walden is a mutual savings bank and a certified B-corporation , or a for-profit corporation certified with a social impact. Walden’s focused on serving farms, food businesses, sustainability-related businesses and nonprofit organizations, according to CDValet.com.

It’s a mutual bank, meaning it has no shareholders and it’s owned by its depositors, Walden said.

Walden was founded in 2022 as “an online bank for everyone who eats/makes/grows/cooks/loves local food,” its 2022 annual report said.

Chief executive Charley Cummings combines a business degree with an agricultural background, having started a meat Community Supported Agriculture that allows consumers to buy shares of a farm's harvest in advance.

Why a 100-year CD?

Walden said a 100-year CD allows it to offer local agricultural businesses longer-term loans.

For example, “a low margin farm may not be able to support the payments on a 10-year mortgage for farmland, but if those terms are extended to 30 years, the payment is manageable,” Walden said. “In order to support those longer-term loans, we need longer-term deposits to ensure we can properly manage our balance sheet.”

Is the 100-year CD a good investment?

Walden said, “the CD makes for a good addition to a Donor Advised Fund , part of a charitable giving strategy, or a trust intended to benefit a future generation, but it is also an attractive fixed income alternative for an individual or organization, even if not held to maturity.”

But if you’re looking solely to maximize returns , some advisers say look elsewhere. Here’s why:

◾ Interest rates may rise above the 100-year CD’s fixed 4.75% rate and you’ll lose out, Roske said.

◾ The broad S&P 500 stock index has returned 8%-10% annually , on average, for the last century.

◾ Significant early withdrawal penalty of 10 years of interest, which could include loss of principal if less than 10 years. “Other CDs lose interest only,” said Steve Azoury, founder of Azoury Financial.

◾ Walden Mutual has a short operating history, Azoury said. “The CD’s covered by the FDIC, but you could get a big hassle if (Walden) closed up.”

◾ Potential tax headaches of reporting CD interest for a century, Azoury said. Beneficiaries must pay tax yearly on their portion of the interest after the original owner passes, “and if you have multiple beneficiaries, what if one wants to cash it out and another doesn’t?” A charity wouldn’t have to worry about that, though.

Saver's delight: Time to give CDs a spin? Certificate of deposit interest rates are highest in years

Who’s the right investor for a century CD?

“It is a conservative strategy to incorporate into a charitable giving plan, or a trust intended to benefit a future generation,” Roske said. “Of course, there are more profitable ways to invest, but the 100-year CD captures the ‘think globally, act locally’ mindset of a growing number of people.”

Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.   

VIP Subscriber

How Generative AI Has Entered Concept Art Creation — and Why It’s a Slippery Slope

By Audrey Schomer

Audrey Schomer

• How Generative AI Has Entered Concept Art Creation — and Why It’s a Slippery Slope 5 days ago
• Lip-Sync Dubbing Beta Tests Begin in Hollywood 1 week ago
• Why Do or Don’t People Want to Watch Video in VR? Exclusive Survey 1 month ago

In this article

• Generative AI is starting to tactically enter concept art development processes
• Critical factors are limiting the adoption of gen AI in concept art
• Some manners of gen AI use for concept art pose risks for both business and creatives

Generative AI is beginning to enter aspects of concept art creation , though its use is consciously being limited.

Concept art in film and TV can include creating designs for characters, environments, sets, buildings, vehicles, costumes and props and is most often needed on fantasy, sci-fi and action projects. Some concept artists specialize in keyframes, creating digital paintings that visualize specific shots of pivotal moments that should be captured onscreen. Many concept artists have 3D modeling talents at varying skill levels.

Now, rather than relying on stock photos, searching the web for images or previous film and TV references, AI images are starting to be used as the initial design reference material artists use as a creative starting point.

AI imagery is being used to facilitate and speed up the communication back-and-forth between stakeholders on a production toward aligning faster on the design concept or art direction before an artist renders the final assets themselves in detail.

This process is inherently iterative, typically having concept artists go through multiple rounds of feedback and revision to sketches. Rapid iteration with a gen AI image tool can compress this process into a day versus several days to weeks. 

Similarly, studios have begun providing VFX studios with batches of AI images rather than explaining a concept.

AI imagery is also beginning to appear in pitch decks , though its entry here suggests a more substantive replacement for a concept artist’s role and creative process. Earliest-stage concept art starts in the “blue-sky period,” before a production has received a greenlight.

Artists are brought in and work together with the production designer or director to brainstorm, find references and develop the look and feel of the world in order to pitch the project to studios. The artist creates sketches and goes through similar “hot-cold” rounds of iteration before finally rendering assets. Now fewer artists might be brought on during the blue-sky period, which for some is their bread and butter, as production designers may be using gen AI tools in place of an artist to develop materials for pitch decks.

Finally, studios are also likely to be exploring or activating opportunities to fine-tune pretrained image models with art assets in order to create smaller-scale models capable of producing outputs similar to the curated dataset. Studio interest has likely focused on fine-tuning image models with existing franchise IP to amplify and accelerate franchise art creation. Output images from the fine-tuned model would be consistent with the style of the original IP.

While fine-tuning is a high-potential area, it raises some concerns for artists if a model is fine-tuned on assets artists have provided on a project without their consent or additional compensation. One anecdotal experience shared with VIP+ described an artist’s contract with a smaller studio being cut short after the artist had already produced some assets, when the studio decided it would complete their contract with AI.

“You get paid for what you’ve done, and then we don’t need you anymore,” an artist told VIP+. “But there’s a difference between delivering an asset and delivering a digital version of your skills.”

Terms around fine-tuning models will increasingly need to be reflected in artists’ initial contracts when signing onto a project.

Yet even as gen AI enters some aspects of concept art creation, studios are still likely to be restricting the use of gen AI imagery as final art assets. Use remains limited for two main reasons:

1. Copyright Legality: Uncertainty around the copyright legality of generative AI is the biggest deterrent for studios to use AI imagery. Specifically, image models trained on unlicensed copyrighted material carry risk that their outputs would infringe, as it’s been demonstrated that these models can generate near-identical imagery to existing IP.

Copyrightability of AI work is a second gaping question, though guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office is that only human authorship can be protected, proven by the outcomes of early registration attempts of AI-assisted works where quite literally only human-authored components qualified for protection.

Even if AI images were to be materially edited before being used in a production, copyright might only apply to the edits, such as the specific digital brushstrokes made by a human artist. Nor is fine-tuning a panacea for copyright concerns. A fine-tuned model isn’t a perfectly “closed universe” because it still relies on the base model for its understanding, a fact that has led studios considering the benefits of fine-tuning to prefer models that exclude copyrighted works, though that comes at a quality tradeoff.

Furthermore, even though the franchise IP is owned, it doesn’t mean fine-tuned model outputs necessarily would be. Any output of an AI model is vulnerable to rejection by the Copyright Office.

2. Performance: Design quality from image models remains a challenge. Though editing features are improving, lack of granular control over AI outputs is still a notable barrier for use in high-production value content creation.

Superficially, AI images look good, but they tend to have a recognizable and similar feel even as their style changes. AI images commonly contain artifacts, or design mistakes, including problems interpreting anatomy. Accurate anatomy and structure are especially critical to reflect in VFX concept art, as it informs the mechanics of character or object movement.

Even outside of VFX, problems or added work could be introduced if subpar AI-generated art is pushed out to the next department, such as to a prop builder or a 3D modeler.

Depending on how gen AI is used in the pipeline, artists described the possibility of degrading quality — that what gen AI produces to approximate a director’s creative vision will be deemed “good enough” by those with an untrained perception. For example, a skilled character designer understands anatomy; an artist designing a spaceship understands industrial machinery; a keyframe artist understands perspective and lighting so a shot can be replicated by the director of photography

Finally, while some artists in studio art departments or VFX may now be tasked with using these tools in aspects of their jobs, many in the community oppose them on principle, knowing their work trained image models now being used in its place. Concept artists are expected to be among the most and earliest exposed to job reduction and ethical harm due to generative AI.

VIP+ Explores Gen AI From All Angles — Pick a Story

How Text-to-Video Models From Veo to Sora Compare as Hollywood Production Tools

Take-two caps gaming earnings season with huge loss as publishers cement new strategies, netflix, roku accelerate streaming momentum in sports rights deals, ‘blue angels’ tests imax’s new ‘documentary blockbuster’ plan, more from our brands, how to watch the 2024 nba playoffs: livestream without cable, former washington commanders owner donates $35 million maryland estate to charity, big ten reclaims revenue lead after earning $880m in fy23, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, ratings: csi: vegas draws biggest audience ever with unplanned series finale, verify it's you, please log in.

• Manage Account
• Website Survey
• Things to Do
• Public Notices
• Help Center

Inside Radici, chef Tiffany Derry’s new Italian concept

A gargantuan wood-fire grill is the life force of the farmers branch restaurant..

By Claire Ballor

8:33 AM on May 20, 2024 CDT

From a distance, Tiffany Derry’s new Italian restaurant Radici might seem like a departure for the North Texas chef who’s built her career on the tenets of Southern cooking, earning accolades for her duck-fat fried chicken and gumbo.

But this new chapter for Derry, one of bolognese and branzino, is a return to her professional roots as a fresh-out–of-culinary-school cook rolling pasta dough in the kitchens of Houston restaurants like Pesce and Grotto.

“I love Italian food,” Derry said, standing in her week-old restaurant as sous chefs buzzed around her to prep for the night ahead. “I’ve been cooking it for 26 years. It’s probably the thing I make for myself the most at home.”

The latest food and drink reviews, recipes and info on the D-FW food scene.

By signing up you agree to our  Terms of Service  and  Privacy Policy

Radici, which Derry and her business partner Tom Foley opened May 1, 2024 in Farmers Branch next to their James Beard-recognized restaurant Roots Southern Table, takes its cues from Derry’s experience in Italian cuisine as well as Foley’s Italian heritage. It also subtly pulls from Derry’s background as a kid raised in a barbecue family in Beaumont.

She longed for the smoke and char of the barbecue of her childhood, so the Top Chef and MasterChef regular designed Radici to be centered around open-flame cooking — a distinguishing element amongst the many Italian restaurants across North Texas.

Nearly everything that requires heat on Radici’s menu is put on a leviathan, three-tiered wood-burning grill fueled by knotty Texas post oak.

“There is no substitution for that flavor,” Derry said.

Derry’s favorite bite on Radici’s menu is the focaccia studded with garlic confit and rosemary. It’s set over the flames to be blanketed in smoke and gently charred before being served. The menu will change seasonally, but the focaccia will stay put, she said.

The Pollo alla Griglia — the current favorite amongst the kitchen staff — is also infused with flavor from the post oak smoke. Vegetarian-fed chicken is grilled bone-in and served with a jus made from chicken backs and feet that are cooked down for 36 hours into a glossy reduction.

“We let the chicken do what the chicken’s gonna do,” said Ivana Robinson, one of Derry’s sous chefs. Simplicity, she said, is key.

Accompanying the chicken is a take on a warm bread salad made with toasted focaccia, sultanas, arugula, herbs and a bit of lemon and olive oil.

All of the pastas at Radici are made in-house. Amatriciana, a guanciale and chili-laden sauce from Italy’s Lazio region, was a must-have on the menu for Derry, who pairs it with rigatoni. So, too, was the lasagna blanca, which is inspired by her time in Emilia-Romagna. The northern Italian preparation of lasagna layers sheets of spinach pasta with ragu and béchamel. Derry’s version uses a white bolognese and adds in sage and nutmeg.

Radici’s menu pulls from a number of regions across Italy with a 14-ounce ribeye prepared in the style of bistecca alla Fiorentina, Roman supplì al telefono made with sausage and chicken livers, and Neapolitan mozzarella in carrozza made with ‘nduja.

“We have a lot more of what people consider traditional Italian,” Derry said. Although, she added, she couldn’t skip the opportunity to put chicken parmesan on the menu.

One dish on the antipasti list was a late addition after Derry tried a rosé vinegar and decided she had to incorporate it. The result was the Prosciutto e Melone made with Texas cantaloupe, culatello (an Italian cured ham similar to prosciutto but made from a different cut and aged differently), lightly candied hazelnuts, figs and basil. The dish is dressed simply with olive oil and the lightly sweet rosè vinegar.

“Use the best that you can and do very little to it,” is Derry’s guiding philosophy, she said.

Along with running her restaurants, Derry juggles a stunning number of projects including appearing regularly on cooking shows; partnering with American Airlines on their Flagship Lounges menus; and working as an ambassador for diabetes organization Novo Nordisk.

She manages it all with the help of her business partner, two assistants, and parents who drove into town for Radici’s opening just to make sure she was fed and her chef’s whites were ironed. It’s chaos, she said, but she loves it.

“I’ve already had six meetings today,” she said just shy of 4 p.m. “I do better when I’m in the eye of the storm.”

To add to the chaos, she and Foley are opening a second location of Radici at Grand Prairie’s EpicCentral sometime in the fall or winter of 2024.

The Grand Prairie restaurant is a doubling down for Derry on her commitment to the suburbs. As a Carrollton resident, she never had any interest in opening Roots Southern Table or Radici in Dallas, she said. She wanted to give the suburbs places to go for a laidback weeknight meal or a celebratory weekend dinner without having to make the drive to Dallas.

Pivoting from Southern cuisine to Italian, like setting up shop in the suburbs instead of the city, is how Derry keeps herself and her diners on their toes.

“People don’t know what to expect,” she said, “and that works well for us.”

Radici opened May 1, 2024 at 12990 Bee St., Farmers Branch. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Grand Prairie location will open at Epic Central in late 2024. radiciwoodfiredgrill.com .

Claire Ballor , Staff Reporter . Since first starting her career at The Dallas Morning News in 2015, Claire has reported and written on a wide range of topics, covering breaking news, Dallas City Hall, criminal and civil courts and, most recently, food. Her work last year included the shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets and the fentanyl epidemic.

Top Food Stories

Family of man who died after fight at on the border sues the irving restaurant group.

Is Chili’s closing? No, and the Dallas company wishes you’d stop asking

Sour Patch Kids Oreos? Peeps Pepsi? Weird flavor combinations are the new normal