Brainstorm Bill Topics:
There are a lot of topics out there that you can choose from. Your goal should be to find a topic that you feel passionate about and are committed to. Whether your interests lie in the environment, business, education, or social programs, your bill should be about something you believe in.
Here are some other tips to keep in mind when brainstorming topics:
Here are some other tips to keep in mind when brainstorming topics:
- One of the simplest and most accessible sources of current information is the newspaper - whether it's local or national, it can give you a good idea of current buzz. Check out The New York Times, The News & Observer, and The Cary Citizen.
- Interview prominent people in the community, such as city officials, teachers, business leaders, social workers, ministers, parents, etc. Get their views on which issues they feel need legislative attention.
- Consider any condition which exists in your school, family or community. Then do some research to see if the issue extends to the rest of the state.
- Whether it is practical, serious, or absurd and outrageous, your topic should be supported. You must anticipate the issues surrounding your bill implementation - the cost, the consequences, etc.
Legislative Bill Outline:
Legislative Bill Format - General |
Powerful Closing Arguments:
Legislative Debate Speech Organization:
legislativedebatespeechorganization.docx |
Bill Writing Presentation:
Create a (minimum) five slide Google Presentation to coincide with your Bill Reading, Opening & Closing Statements:
1. Title Slide (give your bill a name & number and include your names)
2. Slide 2(+) should be your bill - written out completely for transparency
3. Additional slides may include information relevant to your opening (and later - the closing) statements
3. WORKS CITED page should be the last - use MLA citations (without hanging indent)
1. Title Slide (give your bill a name & number and include your names)
2. Slide 2(+) should be your bill - written out completely for transparency
3. Additional slides may include information relevant to your opening (and later - the closing) statements
3. WORKS CITED page should be the last - use MLA citations (without hanging indent)
Key Features of Legislative Debate:
Golden Rule For Asking Questions:
ASK FOR EVIDENCE AND FACTS.
Pose questions that legislators/senators would either need to squirm or provide facts that can be turned against them when asking questions.
Build off other legislator/senator's questions - anything that can question the factual accuracy and poke holes in their argument.
Such questions can be "can you provide a definition for..." or "can you distinguish between...?" RATHER than "do you know that...?"
Pose questions that legislators/senators would either need to squirm or provide facts that can be turned against them when asking questions.
Build off other legislator/senator's questions - anything that can question the factual accuracy and poke holes in their argument.
Such questions can be "can you provide a definition for..." or "can you distinguish between...?" RATHER than "do you know that...?"
Public Policy Debate:
1. Refrain from using hypothetical issues and philosophical arguments. It should be grounded on empirical effects (i.e. historical examples, past articles, surveys, evidence, etc.)
2. If you are in doubt about writing points, follow EPSI
2. If you are in doubt about writing points, follow EPSI
- E => ECONOMIC
- What are the economic ramifications of this bill?
- How might it cause economic harm?
- Would the positive effects be worth the cost?
- What is the government's role in justifying the cost?
- P => POLITICAL
- What are the political ramifications of the bill?
- Which department or branch will the bill affect? Are there changes to the current system?
- Is the bill Constitutional?
- S => SOCIAL/CULTURAL
- What effect will this have on the American social atmosphere?
- How will this affect future generations and the current generation of American youth?
- I => INTERNATIONAL
- What are the international effects of this bill?
- How will this affect our relationship with the UN or other countries?