How to Legislate: The Writing Parts

By Colin Winkelmann

I. Writing a Resolution- a resolution is a general suggestion that a law be put into place. It
essentially contains the “why” you want to place a law into effect, while a bill will explain
the “how” including enforcement and funding.
a. Pick a topic
i. Start with large general topics and try to narrow it down until you have a
specific law you want to put into place.
1. Why do you want to do this topic? This will help you understand your
“whereas” clauses further on when you are actually writing the
legislation
2. Is it a hot issue in current affairs? It doesn’t have to be, but most times
these make good topics for heated debate, allowing for a good session
of congress.
3. Is it something you are both knowledgeable and passionate about?
These qualities often lead to the best legislation and the best authorship
speeches. Remember when writing legislation, if it makes it to the
agenda and is debated, you are expected to give the first speech
explaining the fundamentals of the resolution.
4. Is it interesting, and unique? Don’t do legislation that has been done
countless times before, rest assured some other school will do it and
you will get to debate it during the season if you are eager to do a
certain topic. Some topics that are over done are; Legalize Marijuana,
Abortion, and Church and State.
5. Does the topic have factual grounds or is it a moral argument? Moral
arguments are difficult because although they get a lot of debate, it
really isn’t the job of congress to legislate morality. Generally three to
four neg. speeches will be dedicated to pointing out this flaw and it
hinders good debate. Arguments rooted in factual arguments make the
best legislation.
ii. Example topic “Banning exotic pets”
1. Why? Exotic pets hurt people. Exotic pets could escape and hurt the
eco-system. Exotic pets can spread disease. Exotic pets cause
destruction of native habitat with harmful trapping techniques.
2. Hot issue? Heavily debated among the exotic pet industry and
hobbyists, currently going through congress in a similar bill “H.R. 669”
3. Knowledge/Passion? Yes, I own over 50 exotic pets ranging from
tarantulas scorpions and lizards to fish and snakes.
4. Interesting? Yes many people own pets other than cats and dogs and it
can be argued on both sides
 5. Facts? Yes, there are many factual arguments Aff and Neg for banning
exotic pets, and moral arguments can be avoided.
b. Writing formatted Legislation
i. Title
1. All resolutions or bills have a catching title usually starting with
a. “A Resolution to…”
b. “A Bill to…”
2. The title should be a catching summery of your intent of the resolution
3. Example: “A Resolution To Ban All Exotic Pets”
ii. Numbering
1. After the title, you must number each line after so the legislation can be
easily referenced in a speech or question.
iii. WHEREAS clauses
1. This is the core of your legislation and defines and explains why you are
trying to put a piece of legislation through congress
2. Each WHEREAS clause should follow logically from the next and provide
a CONCISE outline of your argument for the resolution.
3. It should also define and vague wording in the legislation
4. Remember the reasons why you chose your topic? Those will be some
of your whereas clauses.
5. Remember to not put too much into the whereas section, because you
will have to cover most of it in your authorship speech, and is you
explain everything and provide evidence and arguments in the
resolution, you will simply reiterate yourself in the authorship. Find a
happy balance between outlining your argument, and still leaving
enough for you to say in debating the resolution.
iv. RESOLVED clause
1. After you’re final whereas clause you put a “;” and write, “therefore be
it”, and the next line will start “RESOLVED, by this student congress here
assembled that…”
2. After this, you write the law you are trying to pass, and you must be
specific
3. A FURTHER RESOLVED clause may need to be added if there are
additional provisions you are trying to pass, like timeframe or making
other laws that conflict null and void.
c. SAMPLE LEGISLATION
 A Resolution to Ban All Exotic Pets

1 WHEREAS, All exotics pets in this legislation are defined as not being a domesticated dog

2 (Canis lupus familiaris), a domestic cat (Felis catus), or specified birds under the legislation; and

3 WHEREAS, Exotic pets can become dangerous and are often wild caught, proving a hazard for

4 their owners and anyone who comes in contact with them; and

5 WHEREAS, Some exotic species can adapt to our ecosystems and cause unchecked damage to

6 our native ecosystem; and

7 WHEREAS, as in the 2003 outbreak of Monkey pox cause by a pet Gambian rat, exotics can

8 spread disease, making them a public health risk; and

9 WHEREAS, Harmful trapping techniques used to catch wild specimens are devastating their

10 respective native habitats and destroying native population; therefore be it

11 RESOLVED, by this Student Congress here assembled that all exotic animals be banned from

12 importations for the purpose of the pet industry and a committee be assembled to define avian

13 pets that would be acceptable; and be it

14 FURTHER RESOLVED, that any existing exotic animals, providing proper housing care and

15 documentation, be grandfathered and be allowed to remain in the care of their current

16 owners.

Respectfully submitted

Colin Winkelmann

Rufus King High School