eng.g8.s.ex_01
Capstone Orientation
MG-3
Chart
Capstone composition structural blueprint anchor: 5-9 paragraph template. PARAGRAPH 1 — HOOK + CONTEXT + AUDIENCE-AWARE THESIS (the thesis explicitly indicates audience and stance). PARAGRAPH 2 — BACKGROUND / DEFINITION / FRAME (sets the conversation). PARAGRAPHS 3-N — BODY (each paragraph develops one sub-claim with research-driven evidence + reasoning + warrant; uses synthesis moves from G8-fall; uses CEA from G7-spring). COUNTER-ARGUMENT PARAGRAPH — acknowledge + concede + pivot + refute (carryover from G6-fall counter-argument). CONCLUSION — restate thesis (different words); 'so what' for chosen audience; closing image or call. Rule at bottom: 'Word count target: 1500-2000 words (typical); 1000-1200 (reduced); 2000-2500 (stretch). Aim for SUSTAINED ARGUMENT over 5-9 paragraphs. The capstone is the proof you can write at length.' Worked example: a 7-paragraph capstone on climate civic-audience with structure marked. Print-ready 18x24.
Look at MG-3 capstone structural blueprint. List the 5-9 paragraph sections in order. Identify which paragraph holds the audience-aware thesis and which holds the counter-argument.
- The thesis comes EARLY (paragraph 1) to orient the reader.
- Counter-argument typically appears AFTER body paragraphs to acknowledge opposition before the conclusion.
- Places thesis at end of essay (this is a different essay structure but not the standard capstone blueprint).
- Skips counter-argument paragraph entirely.