Congress

Word Cloud

In one to two words, how does this approach of an English writing class differ from traditional classes?

Match

Match the following

• Runs the legislative session, maintains order, recognizes speakers, and ensures proper procedure is followed throughout debate

• Write bills, deliver speeches, ask questions, make motions, and vote on legislation - the heart of Congressional Debate

• Your teacher or coach ensures fairness, clarifies rules, and helps maintain the integrity of the debate process

• Score speeches and PO performance based on argumentation, delivery, and adherence to Congressional format

  
  

Presiding Officer (PO)

Legislators (You!)

Parliamentarian

Judges (Competition)

• Presiding Officer (PO)

• Legislators (You!)

• Parliamentarian

• Judges (Competition)

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Chamber selects a student to run the session - this is a scored speaking opportunity in competition!

• Determine the order in which bills will be debated - strategy matters here for maximizing speech opportunities

• Follow the cycle: Authorship speech → Questioning → Pro/Con speeches → More questioning rounds

• Use parliamentary procedure tools like amendments, tabling motions, or previous question as needed

• Chamber votes on the bill, PO announces results, then moves to the next piece of legislation

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Multiple Select

Which two are duties that the Presiding Officer does?

• Maintain order during debates,

• Manage the budget allocations
• Lead the discussions on policy
• Vote on legislative matters
• Ensure rules are followed

Reorder

Reorder the following: The Authorship speech

• Identify the Problem

  What issue does your legislation address? Why should we care about solving it right now?

• Explain Your Solution

  How exactly does your bill fix the problem? Walk through the key provisions and mechanisms

• Prove the Impact

  Why does this matter? What positive changes will result from passing your legislation?

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Open Ended

Why is it import to state your stance on the bill?

Reorder

Reorder the following: the first fixed speeches

• Authorship Speech

• Questioning

• Con Speech

• Questioning

• Pro Speech

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Fill in the Blank

ELA Connection: Questioning develops _____-________ ______ and forces you to defend your claims under pressure - just like in Socratic seminars!

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Match

Match the following: Motions

• Suggest changes to make the bill better. These changes must be related to the bill and can be discussed before a vote.

• Stop discussing the current bill for now to work on other things. Most people need to agree to this.

• End the discussion right away and vote on the bill. This needs a 2/3 vote and stops talking too much.

• Point out when someone breaks a rule or makes a mistake in the process. This helps keep the debate fair.

• Bring up problems that affect everyone in the room, like it being too noisy or too hot, that need to be fixed now.

Amendment

Table the Bill

Previous Question

Point of Order

Question of Privilege

• Amendment

• Table the Bill

• Previous Question

• Point of Order

• Question of Privilege

Dropdown

Amendment


Introduce changes to a bill ​

Select answer

, after the authorship speech and questioning, but before the final vote.

Dropdown

Table the Bill


Use to ​

Select answer

a bill when discussion is stalled, time is limited, or more information is needed.

Dropdown

Previous Question


Call to ​

Select answer

on the current question and move directly to a vote. Requires a two-thirds vote.

Dropdown

Point of Order


Raise ​

Select answer

when a rule of parliamentary procedure is violated. This motion can interrupt a speaker.

Dropdown

Question of Privilege


Address ​

Select answer

issues affecting the comfort, safety, or rights of the chamber, like noise or temperature. This can also interrupt a speaker.

Reorder

Organize these options into the right categories: End debate.

• Motion: "Previous Question"

  Any legislator can make this motion when they feel sufficient debate has occurred

• Requires a Second

  Another legislator must support the motion before it can be considered by the chamber

• 2/3 Vote Needed

  Supermajority requirement ensures most legislators agree debate should end

• Immediate Vote

  If motion passes, debate stops and the chamber votes on the bill immediately

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Drag and Drop

PO clearly announces what the chamber is voting on: "The question is on the passage of Bill #___"


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Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Chair restates the question

The chamber votes on the budget

Members discuss unrelated topics

The speaker calls for a recess

Drag and Drop

Members respond with clear "Aye" (yes) or "No" votes when recognized by the Presiding Officer​ ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Legistors cast votes

Members shout their opinions

Votes are counted by hand

Decisions are made by majority rule

Drag and Drop

Simple majority (more than half) determines whether the bill passes or fails


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Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Majority rules

Unanimous consent

Two-thirds majority

Simple plurality

Drag and Drop

Simple majority (more than half) determines whether the bill passes or fails


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Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Majority Rules

Unanimous Consent

Two-Thirds Majority

Simple Plurality

Match

Match the following: Winning Strategy tips

• Advance the debate by building on previous arguments or directly refuting them. Repetition scores poorly!

• Always explain "This matters because..." Connect your arguments to real-world consequences people care about

• Hook your audience immediately with compelling statistics, quotes, or scenarios that grab attention

• Consider what your constituents would want. How does this bill affect real people in your district?

Build, Don't Repeat

Focus on Impact

Craft Strong Openings

Think Like a Representative

• Build, Don't Repeat

• Focus on Impact

• Craft Strong Openings

• Think Like a Representative

Open Ended

Based on this, what questions do you have?

Poll

Based off of this presentation, how do you feel about congress rounds?

• well-informed

• informed

• neutral

• not-informed

• have no idea