11

English For Academic

and Professional
Purposes
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Explaining Concepts
English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 5: Explaining Concepts
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Gennesse C. Badar
Editor: Marilyn C. Braganza
Reviewers: Bonifacio B. Pajarillo, Jr.
Illustrator: Ivory Joan M. Tambala
Layout Artist: Melanio R. Florino Jr.
Management Team: Dr. Reynaldo M. Guillena, CESO V
Dr. Basilio P. Mana-ay Jr., CESE
Dr. Emma A. Camporedondo, CESE
Alma G. Cifra, EdD
May Ann M. Jumuad, PhD
Aris B. Juanillo, PhD

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English For Academic and
Professional Purposes
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Explaining Concepts
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the EAPP Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Explaining

Concepts

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

Welcome to EAPP Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Explaining Concepts

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

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 check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways; a story, a
song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity
or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent

What’s More practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to
process what you learned from the lesson.

This section provides an activity which will

What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

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References This is a list of all sources used in
developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

Great day to you dear learner! In this module, you will learn different ways
in explaining a concept.
Before writing a concept paper, being able to explain a concept is a very
important skill that you should know in order to become effective and efficient
writer. May you find this module helpful as you improve yourself of becoming good
communicator of English language.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Identify key features of definition, explication, and clarification.
2. Compare and contrast the three ways in explaining a concept.
3. Explain concept applying definition, explication, and clarification

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 What I Know

DIRECTIONS: Read each question carefully and select the appropriate answer from
among the options given. Write the letter of your choice on your answer sheet.

1. Which among the choices below is not a type of definition?

A. Formal B. Informal C.Extended D.Combined

2. Which type of definition includes the term, class, and distinguishing

features?
A.Formal B. Informal C.Extended D.Both A & C

3. Which type of definition involves brief explanation of a given term?

A.Formal B. Informal C.Extended D.Both B &

4. Which type of definition is an essay length and uses different rhetorical
patterns to show the meaning of a particular concept?

A.Formal B. Informal C.Extended D.Combined

5. Which statement below is a correct example of formal definition?

A. Tricycle is a mode of transportation.

B. Astronomy is a branch of scientific study.

C. Comic books are sequential and narrative publications.

D. Rhyming poetry is an art form consisting of lines whose final words

consistently contain identical final, final stressed vowel sounds.
6. Referring to item number 5, which of the options applies informal definition?

A. A & B B. A only C. B only D. A, B, & C

*Read the formal definition statement below and answer the questions for nos.
7-9

Wateris a liquidmade up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen

in the ratio of 2 to 1.
1 2 3

7. Which of the choices is called a term?

A.2 B. 1 C. 3 D. none
8. Which of the choices is called a class?

A.2 B. 1 C. 3 D. 2 & 3

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9. Which of the underlined word or phrases is called differentiating
characteristics?
A.2 B. 1 C. 3 D. 1 & 3

10. Which of the options below is not true about extended definition?
A. It is a detailed way of explaining a term.
B. It is usually composed of at least one paragraph.

C. It is through a parenthetical or brief explanation.

D. It uses various patterns of paragraph development to explain a concept.

11. Which one is not a method in explaining concepts?

A. Definition B. Explication C.Clarification D. Classification

12. What do you call a method of explanation which involves analysis of concept
by looking at the examples?

A. Both B & C B. Definition C.Explication D. Clarification

13. Which among the methods of explanation refers to critical interpretation of a

concept through the use of verses quotes or passages?
A. Both C & D B. Definition C.Explication D. Clarification

14. What do you call a method of explanation involving the identification of a

given term and making its meaning clearer?

A. Both A & C B. Definition C.Explication D. Clarification

15. Which one is not a signal word used for clarification?

A. To define B. For example C. For instance D. To illustrate

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Lesson

1 Explaining Concepts

Explaining an idea or concept is very essential not just in writing but also in
interacting with others so that effective communication will take place.

What’s In

Activity 1: What’s In Me?

Let us do self-checking as we start the topic on explaining concepts by filling out
the chart below.

What I KNOW What I WANT to HOW I can learn What I LEARNED

about definition, learn about this about this topic about this topic
explication, and topic
clarification

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 What’s New

Activity 2: Text Analysis

This time, we will read some texts. Let us analyze them carefully and answer the
questions that follow.

Text 1

The internet is a global system of networked computers that allows user-to-

user communication and transfer of data files. It is commonly confused with the
World Wide Web, a concept for presenting and linking information on a network.

Text 2

Fernando Maramag’s poem titled “The Rural Maid” is about a man who has
been in love with a fair maid. He fell in love with her the first time they met. Their
eyes glanced at each other and he was smitten by her charm. But despite his
endearment to her, her heart doesn’t belong to him-this left some pain in his
heart.The poem revolves in a hopeless dreamer’s passion for a girl he could, and
never would, own. They parted and never crossed paths again.

Source: “Project in Literature”,Scribd,accessed June 08, 2020,

Text 3

Noise is much more than just an annoyance. In fact, noise can be a type of
pollution that produces hearing impairment, prevents people from getting adequate
rest, contributes to high blood pressure, interferes with productivity, and reduces
our overall quality of life.

Are concepts presented similarly or differently? _______________________________.

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 How is the concept presented in each text?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

What are clues/ hints used in explaining each concept?

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

What is It

The texts that you just read follow the three ways in explaining a concept
namely, definition, explication, and clarification.

1. Definition is used to provide the meaning of a given word or term and making its
meaning clearer. Definitions can be presented in three ways: formal, informal, or extended.
1. a Formal definition is a one-sentence explanation that includes the term, class,
and distinguishing features or characteristics. The term is the word or phrase to be defined,
class refers to which the term belongs or the general category of the term and distinguishing
characteristics are the qualities that make the term different from other terms in the same
category.
Example:

Term Verb Class Distinguishing

Characteristics

Carbohydrates are a food group including sugars, starches,

and cellulose.

1.bInformal definitionis a brief explanation of the given term. It may also include
known words or examples to explain an unknown term. The definition may be synonym or
antonym introduced by or, in other words, or like.

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Examples:

Term Verb Class

Facebook is a social networking website.

Term Synonym Verb Class

Freedom ,also referred to as liberty or is a state when people are

independence, free to think and do.

1. Extended definition involves one or more paragraphs that try to explain a

complex term. This type of definition applies various patterns of paragraph development
(e.g. narration, comparison and contrast, formal and informal definition, process, analogy,
cause and effect) to explain a given concept.
Example:

Stress is a measure of the internal reaction between

elementary particles of a material in resisting separation,
compacting, or sliding that tend to be induced by external Formal
forces. Total internal resisting forces result from continuously sentence
distributed normal and tangential forces that vary in magnitude definition
and direction and act on elementary areas throughout the begins this
material. These forces may be distributed uniformly or extended
nonuniformly.Stresses can be categorized as tensile, definition
compressive, or shearing, according to the straining action.
Strain is a measure of deformation such as:
a. linear strain, the length per unit of linear dimensions
b. shear strain, the angular skew in a radians of an element Supplementary
undergoing change of shape by tangential forces definition used
c. volumetric strain, the change of volume per unit of volume. within this
The strains associated with stress are characteristics of the extended
material definition

Source: “Extended Definition: Just What Does That

Mean?”,David McMurrey, accessed June
06,2020,https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/def.html

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 Signal Words for Definition

is defines as means to define

as defined refers to to illustrate

2. Explication is a method of explanation which uses a critical interpretation of a concept.

Referring to sentences, verses, quotes, or passages from another source; explication gives
another perspective of a concept.
It interprets another work by looking at the idea/s introduced. Through careful
analysis of points brought up in text, a clearer explanation of the concept is given to readers.
This can be presented through comparison and contrast, description, cause and effect and
other patterns of paragraph development (Valdez 2016, 61).

Explication of "The Road Not Taken"

The poem titled "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is about a man
reflecting on a choice he once made. While the outcome of this choice is not
implied to be positive or negative the speaker notes that the choices in itself
and the consequences of that choice have made a huge difference in the
way his life has unfolded.
The poem is about the importance of choices. The poem begins with the
speaker regretting that he could not have been two people so he could have
at some point in his life taken two roads instead of being confined to one.
He looked as far as he could to see what was ahead on one of the roads he
could have taken, but he was limited to seeing only as far as where it
turned and disappeared in the bushes. In the second stanza he says he
took the other road because it was grassy and was possibly better because
it was less travelled, though not much more than the other road. The third
stanza says both roads were covered in leaves that had been walked on
infrequently, to the extent that the leaves covering them had not been made
black from tramping feet. He also says he continued on the road he chose,
and because he knew that one thing leads to another ("way leads on to
way") he doubted he would ever return to this part of the road. Finally, he
says he will tell the story when he is much older ("Somewhere ages and ages
hence") that he had the choice of taking one road over another, and having
taken the one he did made a big difference in his life.
Adding to development of the theme is the element of color. It is a
yellow wood, not green, which suggests the fall season when leaves turn
colors. Seasons are frequently associated with periods in people's lives,
such as spring for youth, and autumn for late middle age. So this is the
"fall" of his life, or possibly around middle age. Therefore, he is a speaker
who has had enough experiences to realize how important some decisions

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 can be and that he must live with the consequences.

"The Road Not Taken" is a pleasant and thought-inspiring poem. It is

pleasant because Frost keeps the tone and mood light though it is about a
very serious subject. Though it is subtly reminiscent, it still makes a strong
point. Reading can also make one think more consciously about future
decisions and their potential consequences. Reading this poem was like
taking a little side road. It can make a difference.

Source: “Sample Poetry Explication”, HCC Learning Web, accessed June 08, 2020,
https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/ronique.hinchen/engl1302/sample-poetry-explication/view.

3. Clarification is another way of explaining a concept wherein the points are arranged from
a general abstract concept to specific concrete examples. It involves the analysis of the
concept by looking at the examples and specifying a number of its features to reach at
one working definition.

Signal Words for Clarification

after all in particular to be specific

as an example in short to clarify

for example namely to illustrate

for instance specifically consider the

following
Source: Jessie S. Barrot and Philippe John F. Sipacio, Communicate Today: English for Academic &
Professional Purposes for Senior High School. Quezon City: C& Publishing Inc, 2016, 159.

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Sample Clarification Text

The book is a valuable resource as it provides interesting theoretical

and methodological means for analysing news discourse. For instance,
analyzing the combination of images and texts allows greater understanding
of values encoded in the news. In addition, the book adequately discusses
means for addressing the methodological problems in analyzing data in
different forms of media. Moreover, since the book draws on different
perspectives, readers will find a range of options to work with when
confronting their own data. To illustrate, news may not only be seen on the
national or international scene but also in specific locales. Therefore, this can
help in making sense of one’s data through adequate examples.
Source: Paolo Niño M. Valdez, English for the Globalized Classroom Series: English
for Academic & Professional Purposes Quezon City: The Phoenix Publishing House
Inc, 2016, 53.

Activity 3 Delving Deeper

Directions: Complete the Venn diagram below showing the similarities and differences of
the three methods in explaining concept. Then, restate the definition of each method using
the key words and phrases you use in the diagram.

Definition

Explication

Clarification

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Definition
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.

Explication
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.

Clarification
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.

Activity 4 Let’s practice

DIRECTIONS: Let’s reread the texts in Activity 1 and identify which method in
explaining concept is applied for each number. Also, provide evidences that can be
found in the text.

Text 1

The internet is a global system of networked computers that allows

user-to- user communication and transfer of data files. It is commonly
confused with the World Wide Web, a concept for presenting and linking
information on a network.

Way of explaining concept: ________________________________

Evidence/s:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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 Text 2

Fernando Maramag’s poem titled “The Rural Maid” is about a man

who has been in love with a fair maid. He fell in love with her the first time
they met. Their eyes glanced at each other and he was smitten by her
charm. But despite his endearment to her, her heart doesn’t belong to him-
this left some pain in his heart. The poem revolves in a hopeless dreamer’s
passion for a girl he could, and never would, own. They parted and never
crossed paths again.

Way of explaining concept: ________________________________

Evidence/s:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Text 3

Noise is much more than just an annoyance. In fact, noise can be a

type of pollution that produces hearing impairment, prevents people from
getting adequate rest, contributes to high blood pressure, interferes with
productivity, and reduces our overall quality of life.

Way of explaining concept:________________________________

Evidence/s:

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.

Activity 5: Golden Thought

DIRECTIONS: Go back to Activity 1. Complete the last column of the KWHL chart
with what you have learned about this topic.

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 What I Can Do

Activity 6: Picture Analysis

DIRECTIONS: Create a concept out of the caricature below and write a simple
paragraph explaining the concept you have in mind. You are to apply one of the
three ways in presenting concepts in you paragraph.

* Caricature showing a new normal student

learning through a gadget
(laptop/tablet/cellphone)

DIRECTIONS: Read each question carefully and select the appropriate answer among the
options given. Write the letter of your choice on your answer sheet.

1. Which type of definition includes the term, class, and distinguishing features?
A. Formal B. Informal C. Extended D. Both A & C
2. Which type of definition is an essay length and uses different rhetorical patterns to
show the meaning of a particular concept.
A. Formal B. Informal C. Extended D.Both B & C
3. Which type of definition involves brief explanation of a given term?
A.Formal B. Informal C.Extended D.Both A & B
4. What do we call the underlined phrase in the formal definition statement below?
“Charisma is a special quality which gives an individual influence or authority.”
A. Term B. Class C.Concept D.Differentiating features
5. What is the term being defined in the statement below?
Biology is a branch of science that deals with living organisms and their vital processes.
A. Biology B.Science C. Vital processes D. Living organisms

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6. Which one is not an example of informal definition?
A. Physics is a branch of science.
B. Corpora are writings or works on a particular subject.
C. Corporation refers to a group of merchants or traders.
D. Electronic mail or email is a system for sending messages via telecommunication.
7. Which among the options below is not a method of explaining concepts?
A. Definition B. Narration C. Explication D. Clarification
8. Which type of presenting concepts involves critical interpretation through the use of
verses, quotes, and passages?
A. Definition B. Explication C. Clarification D. All of the choices
9. Which of the options below explains concept through giving meaning of the term and
making its meaning clearer.
A. B & C B. Definition C. Explication D. Clarification
10. What is another way of explaining a concept in which points are arranged from
a general abstract concept to specific concrete examples?
A. Definition B. Clarification C. Explication D. All of the choices
11. Alex explained the concept by providing its meaning first. What way of explaining
concept did Alex apply?
A. A & B B. Definition C. Explication D. Clarification
12. Maria explained the topic by including a passage from a literary work which gives
another perspective of the concept. What method did Maria use in explaining concept?
A. Both B & C B. Definition C. Clarification D. Explication
13. Which way of explaining concept is applied in the text below?
Cholera is an intestinal infection which is caused by a bacterium, called Vibrio
cholera. Contaminated food, water, or faeces can result in the rapid spread of this
disease. Patients who have been exposed to the disease may exhibit mild to extreme
symptoms.
A. Definition B. Explication C.Clarification D. None of the choices
14. What is the concept being explained in the paragraph above?
A. Cholera B. Bacterium C. Vibrio cholera D. Intestinal infection
15. Which way of explaining concept is applied in the text below?
Fat is important for a healthy diet but one’s intake of it should be always taken note
of. For instance, inadequate intake of fats can cause several problems in the body
particularly, the decrease of the body’s insulation. When the body is not insulated
enough, this could cause one to feel cold immediately whenever there is a slight drop in
the environment’s temperature.
A. Both B & C B. Definition C. Explication D. Clarification

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 Additional Activities

Activity 7: Write Rightly!

Supposed that you are the SSG President in your school and you are assigned to
write about one of the topics below to be posted on the SSG corner.
-Cyber bullying
-Peer pressure
-Tardiness

Applying the three ways in explaining concept, discuss the topic following the parts
below:
First paragraph- Definition of the term
Second paragraph- Explication (relate the concept to a passage/verse/quote/any literary
work)
Third paragraph - Clarification (provide concrete/specific examples that will support your
idea/concept)

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 Answer Key

Pre test Post test

1.D 1.A

2.A 2.C

3.B 3.B

4.C 4.B

5.D 5.A

6.D 6.D

7.B 7.B

8.A 8.B

9.C 9.B

10.C 10.B

11.D 11.B

12.D 12.D

13.C 13.A

14.B 14.A

15.A 15.D

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References

Barrot, Jessie S. and Sipacio, Philippe John F. Communicate Today: English for Academic
& Professional Purposes for Senior High School Quezon City: C& Publishing Inc,
2016.
HCC Learning Web. “Sample Poetry Explication.” Accessed June 08,
2020.https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/ronique.hinchen/engl1302/sample-poetry-
explication/view

McMurrey, David. “Extended Definition: Just What Does That Mean?” Accessed June 06,
2020, https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/def.html
Scribd. “Project in Literature.” Accessed June 08,
2020.https://www.scribd.com/doc/84656945/Analysis-on-Philippine-Poetry-Short-
stories-and-Dramas
Valdez, Paolo Niño M. English for the Globalized Classroom Series: English for Academic &
Professional Purposes. Quezon City: The Phoenix Publishing House Inc, 2016.

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