Justify Your Decision

Making the decision

Once you have identified the options and weighed them against clear criteria, the final job is to decide, and this is where the top marks sit. A strong decision does four things. It chooses one option clearly, rather than sitting on the fence. It gives reasons for that choice drawn from specific evidence in the booklet, such as a figure on a graph or a point in a quote. It considers the impact on both people and the physical environment, since the issue is synoptic. And it says why the other options were rejected, not just why the chosen one is good. The weakest ending is a vague on-balance shrug with no real choice. This module shows how to reach and justify a decision.

Decision words

Learn these before you decide, and remember a decision needs a clear choice backed by evidence.

A justified decision against a vague one

The difference between a top answer and a weak one is almost always in how the decision is made.

How to justify a decision

Commit, then back it up. Pick one option and say so plainly. For every reason you give, point to a specific piece of evidence from the booklet, a number, a map detail or a quoted view, rather than a vague feeling. Weigh what the choice means for people and for the environment, since both matter. Finish by explaining why each rejected option was weaker. A decision that names evidence and dismisses the alternatives beats a cautious fence-sit every time.

Match the part of a decision to what it does

Which conclusion is stronger?

Two students end the issue evaluation. Which conclusion would score higher?

• One that picks an option and backs it with figures and quotes from the booklet.
• One that says on balance it could go either way.
• Whichever conclusion is simply the longest.
• One that just says which option feels nicer.

A strong justified decision

Select the TWO things a strong justified decision does.

• Chooses one clear option
• Supports the choice with specific evidence
• Avoids choosing so as not to be wrong
• Ignores the effect on the environment

Score gap

A student scores option A at 8 out of 10 and option B at 5 out of 10 against the criteria. Subtract to find how many points higher option A scores.

Order making the decision

Put the steps of reaching a justified decision in order, earliest first.

• Review the options already weighed against the criteria
• Choose the option that best fits the criteria
• Justify the choice with specific evidence
• Explain why the alternatives were rejected

Complete the facts

The single option you choose to recommend is your _____. The reasons you give to support that choice are your _____. The specific facts from the booklet that back your reasons are the _____. The final part of the answer that states your choice is the _____.

Match the weak ending to its fix

Spot the true decision facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true about justifying a decision.

• A strong decision commits to one clear option
• Reasons should be backed by specific evidence
• A vague on-balance ending scores the highest
• The environment can be ignored in the decision

Justify it

Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.

• A student writes only that both reservoir options have good and bad points, then stops. What is missing?
• A student chooses the small reservoir but gives no reason beyond liking it. How should the answer improve?
• A student justifies the chosen option well but never mentions the rejected ones. What would strengthen it?

Justify your decision

A booklet on easing a water shortage offers three options: a large reservoir, a small reservoir, and piping water in from elsewhere. The options have already been weighed. Reach and justify a final decision.

• State clearly which option you choose
• Give reasons for the choice, referring to specific evidence
• Explain the impact of your choice on people
• Explain the impact of your choice on the physical environment
• Finish by saying why the other two options were rejected