1. 8 STUDENT CONGRESS 8.1 Bills and Resolutions 8.2 Research and Writing
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STUDENT CONGRESS
8.1 Bills and Resolutions
8.2 Research and Writing
8.3 Participating in Student Congress
Chapter 1

2. GOALS Understand how Student Congress functions as a debate activity.
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8.1 BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
GOALS
Understand how Student Congress functions as a debate activity.
Understand legislation in Student Congress.
Chapter 1

3. TERMS
Student Congress
chamber
committee
docket
bill
resolution

5. Student Congress as a Debate Activity
Student Congress (Stu Co)
Similar to Congress in Washington, D.C., but smaller
Chambers
Groups of ten to thirty students
Sometimes called Houses or Senates
Your objective is to win a majority of votes from other student legislators.

6. Legislation in Student Congress
Legislation may be submitted
In advance of the congress or
Once you arrive at the tournament site

7. Committees Committees Docket
Groups of students focused on specific types of legislation
Public Welfare Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Ways and Means Committee (Economics Committee)
Docket
An agenda of legislation to be debated and voted on

8. Bills Bill A proposed new law
Usually responds to what the author sees as a problem in some area of society

9. Resolutions Resolution Does not become a law
Proposes a topic worthy of public consideration

10. 8.2 RESEARCHING AND WRITING
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8.2 RESEARCHING AND WRITING
GOALS
Understand researching for Student Congress.
Understand writing legislation for Student Congress.
Chapter 1

11. TERMS
policy
article
whereas

13. Researching for Student Congress
Think about current issues in society that are important and effect many people.
Stay informed about recent issues relating to
Public welfare
Foreign affairs
Economics or ways and means

14. Useful Sources
Use reliable sources.
Print or copy articles.
Read some international articles.

15. Organizing Your Research
Use a three-ring binder to organize your printed articles.
Include the sources of your articles.
Consider highlighting portions of articles for quick access.

16. A bill is written to turn a policy into law.
Writing Legislation
Policy
A plan of action designed to solve a problem
A bill is written to turn a policy into law.

17. Format for Writing a Bill
Articles
Stages of a bill
Provide easy reference to the steps of a bill

20. Format for Writing a Resolution
Whereas
Means the same as because
Introduces your reasons
Resolved
Used to introduce the action that will become the focal point of the debate

23. 8.3 PARTICIPATING IN STUDENT CONGRESS
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8.3 PARTICIPATING IN STUDENT CONGRESS
GOALS
Understand the use of parliamentary procedure at Student Congress.
Understand the criteria for judging at Student Congress.
Chapter 1

24. TERMS parliamentary procedure Robert’s Rules of Order
Presiding Officer
authorship speech
negation speech
amendment
motion
cross-examination
judge

26. Parliamentary Procedure
A set of guidelines
Allows for discussion by using the democratic process
Robert’s Rules of Order
A publication that lists parliamentary rules

27. Organization of the Contest
Participants will be organized by a seating chart.
Presiding Officer (PO)
An elected leader who calls upon competitors who wish to speak or ask a question
Maintains the precedence chart

28. Speeches and Amendments
Authorship speech
The first speech on a bill or resolution
Three to four minutes long
Allows the author to elaborate on the bill or resolution
Negation speech
Follows authorship speeches

29. Three sections of a speech
Introduction
Contentions
Conclusion
Amendments
Allow for participants in Student Congress to amend or change either a bill or resolution

30. Motions
Motion
A declaration before the chamber meant to determine the direction of the proceeding

32. Cross-Examination after Speeches
A one-minute period allowed after a speech to question the speaker
Two minutes are allowed after the authorship speech

33. Voting
At the conclusion of the discussion, the chamber will vote on the legislation.
You should vote every time.

34. Judging Judge An adult official of the Student Congress
Scores speeches
Serves as parliamentarian
Has the final word

35. The scorer assigns points ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 6.
Criteria for Judging
The scorer assigns points ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 6.
Typical standards to evaluate a speech include:
Eloquence
Logic
Organization
Extemporaneity
Questioning