JUSTIFY
Make your claim. Cite your evidence. Explain the connection. Show the impact.
Stage 3: JUSTIFY is the culminating written or oral argument built from the earlier stages.
Students construct a CEIW response by stating a claim, selecting evidence, explaining the warrant, and extending the significance of the argument.
Stage architecture
Cognitive Operation
Support claims using textual evidence and rigorous logical reasoning.
Bloom Level
5 (Synthesis / Justification)
Primary Target
Construct
Lesson Slot
25–35 min
What students are expected to do
State a clear, arguable claim.
Select purposeful textual evidence that directly supports the claim.
Write a warrant that explains why the evidence proves the claim.
Extend to the Impact: the significance or broader implication of the argument.
Anticipate and address counterarguments at Advanced level.
Prompt types used at this stage
Full CEIW
Scaffold the complete four-part structure: 'Write one paragraph: Claim + Evidence + Warrant + Impact.'
Claim Isolation
Build the claim before constructing the argument.
Evidence Only
Train purposeful evidence selection with exact quotations.
Warrant Prompt
Target the most commonly missing component by asking why the quotation proves the claim.
Counterargument
Introduce adversarial reasoning at advanced level.
Sentence frames used at this stage
Claim
'I believe / argue that ___ because ___.'
Evidence
'The text states: [exact quotation].'
Warrant
'This shows / reveals / demonstrates that ___, which proves ___ because ___.'
Impact
'This is significant because ___ / This pattern suggests that ___.'
Counterargument
'While some might argue ___, the text actually shows ___.'
Eco-Justify
'The text shows that humans have a responsibility to ___ because the evidence reveals ___.'
One stage, different level bands
Foundation / Development (Pre-A1 to A2)
Complete this frame: '___ felt ___ because the text says ___.' Circle the evidence in your text.
Expansion / Mastery (A2 to B2)
Write a Claim + Evidence + Warrant paragraph. Your claim must be arguable, and your warrant must explain WHY the evidence proves the claim.
Advanced (B2 to C1)
Write a full CEIW paragraph including an Impact sentence and one counterargument. Use two pieces of evidence and justify your selection.
How this stage is checked in the lesson
Assessment
Assessment type: Written justification.
Assessment
Assessment form: CEIW paragraph collected and assessed against the Four-Level Rubric.
Assessment
Formative sequence during Justify stage: respond with written feedback within 24 hours and identify exactly which CEIW component is missing or weak.
Assessment
Portfolio standard includes best justification paragraph per unit, eco-reasoning reflection per unit at Level 3+, and CEFR self-assessment each term.
Instructional Architecture
Primary Activity: Independent written justification (CEIW); quiet signal; offer sentence frame for Emerging learners.
Teacher Action: Respond with written feedback within 24 hours; identify exactly which CEIW component is missing or weak.
Eco Extension / Cross-Stage Connection
Eco-justification asks students to construct arguments about human responsibility toward the natural world. At Level 3+, the eco-justification paragraph qualifies as the portfolio best-justification paragraph for eco-designated units.
Justify depends entirely on Stage 1 evidence and Stage 2 judgment. Skipping or abbreviating the earlier stages weakens the final writing.