Legislature – Debating for Change
Ideas create change, but it is through respectful discussion and debate that those ideas are tested, strengthened, and refined.
Debate allows people to examine different perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, challenge assumptions, and work collaboratively toward better solutions. In legislative settings, Parliamentary Procedure provides a structured process that ensures every proposal has the opportunity to be heard fairly and respectfully.
This guide supports students in developing the knowledge and skills needed to participate confidently in legislative debate. Along the way, students will learn how to present persuasive arguments, ask effective questions, respond to differing viewpoints, and lead committee discussions using Parliamentary Procedure. Each learning step can be completed independently or revisited as students continue to develop their confidence and communication skills.
These skills prepare students to participate in the annual Hawaiʻi Youth & Government Legislative Conference, where delegates debate, amend, and vote on student legislation while experiencing the legislative process firsthand.
Resources
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the key features of respectful debate
- Distinguish between Parliamentary Procedure and general debate
- Create a clear set of expectations for a Committee meeting
Time: 30 minutes / 60 minutes
Debate in a legislature is different from trying to win an argument. Effective committees and legislative bodies create opportunities for members to ask questions, consider different viewpoints, improve ideas, and make informed decisions.
What makes for respectful debate?
- What do you think should be the main goal of debate in a legislature?
- How does this look different from an argument?
- What rules are required to support debate?
Stretch: How can we ensure debate is equal?
Challenge: How might the setting of debate impact the process?
Explore the Parliamentary Procedure Guide. Answer the following questions about this.
- What roles are involved in the debate?
- What key steps seem to be repeated across the debate?
- What stands out to you as important to the process of debate?
- Why do you think they follow a structured process?
- How does Parliamentary Procedure help ensure everyone’s voice can be heard?
Stretch: Are there any steps to the procedure that you think are not required? Why/why not?
Challenge: How likely do you think a Bill is to survive this process?
Considering the discussion and Parliamentary Procedure Guide, create a set of Norms and Debate Expectations to follow as a group.
You may wish to include the following:
- How will you support each other in using Parliamentary Procedure?
- How will you help to support and move forward the debate?
- How will you constructively oppose ideas you don’t agree with?
- How will you avoid individuals dominating the process?
- How will you hold one another accountable for following these expectations?
Stretch: How do you think your Expectations might vary from those of another group?
Challenge: Test out these Expectations with a simple debate. This could include:
Should public transportation be free for all students?
Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Should cell phones be banned during the school day?
Learning Objectives
- Identify the key elements of an effective opening and closing statement.
- Evaluate the impact of different evidence to support a statement.
- Construct persuasive opening and closing statements.
Time: 40 minutes / 60 minutes
An effective advocate does more than express an opinion. Strong proponents organize their ideas, support them with credible evidence, and communicate them clearly. In legislative debate, opening and closing statements help explain why a proposal matters and encourage others to support it.
What makes an argument convincing?
- What types of evidence strengthen an argument?
- How can you build confidence in your message?
- Why is it important to consider your audience?
Stretch: What do you think you need to avoid in a successful argument?
Challenge: How might this change depending on the subject or topic?
Evaluate each of the different points of evidence supporting the overall point of debate.
- Is this evidence credible?
- Is it relevant?
- Is it persuasive?
- Why or why not?
Stretch: Which skills do you think are most effective?
Challenge: How can you improve any of the statements of support?
Create an opening statement, a closing statement, or both for a bill or issue of your choice.
You may use the Bill you created previously or an issue you care about.
Use the template and the examples to support your work.
Stretch: What concerns do you think opponents might raise, and how could you respond respectfully?
Challenge: Create a list of anticipated questions and potential responses you could provide for this.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize the purpose and characteristics of effective questions in Parliamentary Procedure.
- Apply questioning techniques to clarify ideas, gather information, and advance debate.
- Design a questioning toolkit.
Time: 30 minutes / 60 minutes
Questions are one of the most powerful tools in legislative debate. They help clarify proposals, explore different perspectives, identify potential challenges, and strengthen ideas before a vote is taken. Effective delegates ask thoughtful questions that encourage discussion and help the legislature make informed decisions.
Why are questions important during legislative debate?
- How can asking good questions improve a bill?
- How can answering questions help build support for your proposal?
- When might you choose to ask a question rather than make a speech?
Stretch: What do you think is important to avoid in your questions?
Challenge: How can you prepare for questions raised in a legislative session?
Examine each of the scenarios. Create a question that can help to support the progression of the debate.
For each scenario:
- What question would you ask?
- Why is that question helpful?
- What information are you hoping to learn?
Stretch: How might the response to these questions change the vote of other delegates?
Challenge: Which type of question do you think is most valuable during a legislative debate? Why?
Create a Delegate Questioning Toolkit which includes the following:
- Questions to clarify information
- Questions to understand the impact
- Questions about implementation
- Questions about funding
- Starter phrases for asking respectful questions
- Starter phrases for responding professionally
Stretch: How could you work with other delegates to anticipate additional questions before debate?
Challenge: Conduct a short mock questioning session using your toolkit. Revise your opening statement based on the feedback you receive.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze why people may hold different viewpoints on an issue.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different rebuttal strategies.
- Develop rebuttal and response materials for a Delegate Toolkit.
Time: 40 minutes / 60 minutes
Strong legislation is rarely created without challenge. During debate, delegates will hear different opinions, questions, and concerns about their proposals. Responding respectfully to these viewpoints is an important part of the legislative process, helping to strengthen ideas, identify potential improvements, and build broader support.
Why do you think people form opposing viewpoints?
- What experiences or values might influence someone’s opinion?
- Why can disagreement actually improve legislation?
- How can we create balance between different viewpoints in our proposals?
Stretch: Why might it sometimes be difficult to understand an opposing viewpoint?
Challenge: How does Parliamentary Procedure help ensure that opposing viewpoints are heard respectfully?
Evaluate how effectively each delegate responds to opposing viewpoints.
- Did the delegate acknowledge the concern respectfully?
- Did they provide evidence or reasoning?
- Did they strengthen confidence in the proposal?
- What could they have done differently?
Stretch: How might you struggle to respond to opposition during a legislative debate?
Challenge: How do you think you can prepare for opposition?
Construct a stakeholder analysis to consider how key groups may view your bill. Include how you may be able to address their Develop Rebuttal and Response sections for your Delegate Toolkit.
Consider:
- What concerns or objections might others raise?
- How would you respond respectfully?
- What evidence supports your response?
- Could any amendments strengthen your proposal?
- Which opposing arguments are strongest, and how will you address them?
Stretch: Revise your Bill or proposal to address one concern raised.
Challenge: Present your proposal to another delegate or group. Record their questions and revise your rebuttal guide based on the feedback.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of committee officers and delegates.
- Analyze the structure and procedures of a legislative committee.
- Participate in a mock committee session using Parliamentary Procedure.
Time: 40 minutes /60 minutes
Every delegate has an important role in helping the committee or legislative session function effectively, whether presenting legislation, asking thoughtful questions, proposing amendments, or serving as a committee officer.
What do you think the role of a chairperson is during a legislative session?
- How does this differ from being a delegate?
- Why is it important for the chairperson to remain impartial?
- What responsibilities do all delegates have for making discussions successful?
Stretch: How might different leadership styles influence the debate?
Challenge: How can delegates support the chairperson in maintaining an effective session?
Compare the features of a committee session and a legislative session.
What similarities and differences do you notice between a committee session and a full legislative session?
- What roles are involved?
- How does debate differ?
- How are amendments handled?
- What happens after a bill leaves committee?
Stretch: Which session do you think may be more challenging for a Bill? Why?
Challenge: How can you use what happens in committee to improve your chances of success during the legislative session?
Complete a mock committee session with a group of delegates. This will need to include:
- Election of a Committee Chair and Clerk
- Introduction of the Bill by the author/proponent
- Opening statement
- Questions of the author
- Pro and Con speeches
- Amendments, where appropriate
- Closing statement
- Committee vote or Bill ranking
Stretch: Reflect on your committee’s use of Parliamentary Procedure. What worked well, and what could be improved?
Challenge: Identify goals that will help you participate more confidently in your next legislative committee or Youth & Government conference.
Reflection: How will you use respectful debate and Parliamentary Procedure to help create better decisions in your school, community, or future Youth & Government sessions?