Resolutions Writing Guide:
Everything you ever wanted to know about resolutions.
The general process for resolution writing after choosing a topic is:
1. Research the Issue
2. Write the Resolution
3. Send copies of the resolution to the Secretary of State and Resolution Committee Chair by the deadline
4. Attend the Resolutions Committee Meeting at the Interim Council (if you want input)
5. Debate the Resolution at plenary session
Why write resolutions?
Resolutions are what NCSL is all about. They speak for us and present our opinions to the entire state of North Carolina and future generations. Resolutions and other legislation are the most powerful voice college students have in the state of North Carolina and are one of the most effective forms of political participation available today.
What is a Resolution?
Resolutions are general statements of opinion of the North Carolina Student Legislature. The student members of NCSL write them, and they address any and all issues relevant to the state of North Carolina. The beginning of the process of the writing process is the selection of an issue.
What issues can a resolution address?
A resolution can address any issue. Primarily, NCSL resolutions address those that affect the citizens of North Carolina and are concerns of the members of NCSL. In the past such topics as education, crime, welfare, term limits, state lottery, state symbols, taxation, transportation, abortion, the death penalty, assisted suicide, crimes against nature, and fornication and many other issues have been addressed.
What kind of research is necessary?
The main purpose of research is to collect information to support (or refuse arguments against) the author’s point of view. The best sources for resolutions are sources with the most current statistics and hot issues (i.e. journals and recent books). The General Statutes of North Carolina are always a source of information, particularly if the issue affects the laws of North Carolina or if there is any confusion over current law. Librarians are a great resource to consult.
How are resolutions formatted?
Resolutions have two major components: WHEREAS clauses and THEREFORE clauses.
Whereas clauses are statements of the facts that support the position of the author which is stated in the resolving clause. Whereas clauses must be completely factual (preferably with statistics) and relevant to the resolution as a whole and should not be debatable. For example, “WHEREAS: Violence in America is a major problem in American society.” On the surface this seems an acceptable whereas clause because for the most part most will agree. However, different definitions of major and American society differ from person to person which may create disagreement. A better clause might read, “WHEREAS: According to a two thousand and two (2002) Rand Study on Violence in America, arrest rates for violent crimes have increased sixty-five percent (65%) in two (2) years. Whereas clauses should also avoid restating the obvious. For example, most people in China are Chinese. This offers no relevant data to the position of the author.
Resolving clauses are clear and to the point statements of opinion. These are the debatable part(s) of the resolution. These are the last part of the resolution and should be the logical conclusion of the whereas clauses. Generally, resolving clauses should be written in a positive manner, even if they are supporting something. For example, instead of writing that the NCSL opposes “a policy…” a better way to write it is NCSL “supports a ban on the policy…”
Where are Resolutions sent?
Resolutions are sent first to your DCP and then they will be forwarded to the Secretary of State and to the Resolutions Committee Chair via email by the deadline for submission. The Resolutions Committee chair will email them to the Resolutions Committee members.
When are Resolutions due?
In order to present your resolution at any IC you must submit them to the above people by the specified deadline. Resolutions are due the week prior to an IC by Friday at midnight. At that point the Resolution Committee will have 12 hours to post them online. Any resolution received after the Friday deadline will be considered late and will be posted after 24 hours online.
What does the Resolutions Committee do?
The Resolution Committee primarily prepares the resolution for debate by NCSL. Authors must attend the Resolutions Committee meeting if they wish to have an input on the discussion for their work and any changes that may result. Once the resolution comes to the floor the changes are permanent (although amendable).
The Resolution Committee has the authority to make structural or grammatical changes to the resolutions, as well as clarify any clauses, which may cause confusion. The Resolution Committee may call any author before it to answer questions or concerns of the Committee.
The Resolution Committee labels each resolution, “favorable,” “non-prejudicial,” or “unfavorable.” Favorable = few, minor amendments. Non-prejudicial = numerous or lengthy amendments. Unfavorable = extensive rewriting required.
The labels of the Resolution Committee determine the order of debate of the resolutions.
Favorable resolutions are debated first, then non-prejudicial, and then unfavorable. Resolutions requiring major amending and serious rewriting may be tabled in committee and not brought to the floor until the author revises the resolution or re-submits it.
What happens when a resolution is debated?
When the resolution comes to the floor for debate, the author is automatically given first remarks to explain the resolution and his/her position, the arguments for it, and their reason for writing it.
The author may speak once more on the resolution. The author may also speak on all amendments to the resolution.
What happens after debate?
If the resolution passes, the (amended) form is included in the annual compendium of legislation that is sent to every member of the General Assembly, the North Carolina Congressional delegation, and every university library in NCSL.
If the resolution does not pass, it may be introduced in the next legislative year, the same legislative year on rare occasions, or in even rarer occasions the same Interim Council.
What is a White Sheet?
A white sheet is a separate (optional) document which may contain additional information or explanatory statements to clarify the resolution. Statistics, facts and charts and graphs maybe included on a white sheet. The white sheet is written by the author and included with the resolution. White sheets are not required, but can be useful in the bodies’ understanding of the resolution’s point.
How to Write a Resolution
Notes: Use times new roman and 12 point font. If you have a second page the standard header is not used, just keep going with your Whereas clauses or Be it resolved clauses. Line numbering begins with one (1) on each page.
1. A resolution must be typed (and written on NCSL letterhead if available)
2. The first page of the resolution contains a header and a title
3. Header’s first line IN THE NORTH CAROLINA STUDENT LEGISLATURE
Header is caps, and centered and not numbered.
4. Next after the Header First line comes the numbering of the actual resolution. To do this you must know what month you are planning on submitting your resolution and obviously what Legislative year you are in. This should be BOLD and follow this format.
(Legislative year)(NCSL) space (R)(Month)-000 Just leave this zeros, it will be given a number by Resolution committee.
Examples:
70NCSL RF-000
65NCSL RM-000 Notice that the R stands for Resolution and the letter following is the Month of IC
88NCSL RS-000 Sample Months: F=February, M=March, S=September, J=January
69NCSL RJ-000
5. The title is centered, bold, all caps, and begins with: A RESOLUTION CONCERNING…
*Line Numbering down the side of the document begins with this title*
6. All whereas clauses begin with WHEREAS, (bold, caps, comma) and continue with your research information after the whereas in regular font(no bold, no caps)
Whereas clauses end with a semi colon except for the last whereas clause which ends with a period. Please be sure to underline your sources.
7. The first resolving clause begins with THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA STUDENT LEGISLATURE, (bold, caps,) followed then with the rest of your therefore clause (NOT Caps and NOT Bold)
8. Subsequent resolving clauses (if any) begin with THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA STUDENT LEGISLATURE,
9. Resolving clauses end with a period except if there is another one following it; then it ends with a semi-colon.
10. All numbers, dollar values, or percentages are written out followed by the corresponding numbers and symbols in parenthesis.
Examples.
a. thirty seven (37) people
b. thirty seven dollars ($37.00)
c. one hundred million three hundred and forty seven thousand one hundred and sixty eight (1,347,158) Americans
d. one in five (1:5)
e. Sixty two percent (62%)
11. Dates: numerals in dates are not written out nor placed in parenthesis.
Dates should follow the international standard: Day, Month, Year.
Examples
- 1997
- 11 September 2002
12. Numbering the Resolution:
- All lines containing text are numbered except the header and the footer
- Header see above
- Footer = aligned right with your name, school, and email and phone number. (in case people have questions)
- spaces without text are NOT numbered
- *Numbering is continuous
To number your resolution click on
File-page setup-layout-line numbers-add line number.
Start with 1- Continuous
You must then go back and select the lines you don’t want numbered and click on Format-paragraph-line and page breaks-suppress line numbers.
Saving your Resolution:
Please save your resolution with the similar format of naming/numbering of your resolution.
So this would be the (legislative year)NCSL space R(for resolution)(and month to be presented)-Short title name of resolution.
Ok so if that didn’t make sense here are some samples:
70NCSL RF- Tax Incentive
68NCSL RS- HPV Testing
76NCSL RM- AIDS Research
88NCSL RJ- Death Penalty
Please note that the Last letter in the title stands for the Month of the IC that it was submitted.
As above: F=February S=September M=March J=January you get the point.
Common Mistakes when writing a Resolution
§ Organization:
Make sure you have hierarchically organized your Whereas clauses. For example they should be organized by most important to least important or general to specific
§ Sources:
Be sure to cite any specific facts in your Whereas clauses.
Use the phrase “According to [source] …”
This adds credibility and strength to your resolution. Please underline your sources.
§ Number all lines with text except the header and footer
Many forget this step. See How to Write a Resolution on how to do this. Number down the side begins with the title. Example: A RESOLUTION CONCERNING… this should be your number one. Please Please Please do NOT have numbers in empty spaces!! See above on how to remove them.
§ Logical Transitions:
The clauses must logically proceed from one to another, and fully support your resolving clause. This check is rather subjective so it may be a good idea to have another to read it with a critical eye.
§ NO Opinions:
All the clauses should consist of concise facts only. Do not crowd the clauses. Include only one fact or idea per clause.
§ Capitalize:
ALL CAPS = HEADER, TITLE, WHEREAS, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED.
*Also capitalize the first word of each clause.*
§ Include:
In your resolving clause a phrase explaining that it is the North Carolina Student Legislature that is supporting, urging.
§ Also Include:
Your name, school, and email aligned right at the end of the resolution.
§ Do Not Include:
Any facts or ideas, which weaken the resolution in any way. Choose the Whereas clauses carefully, eliminating extraneous, damaging, or unclear ones.
§ Numbers/Dates/Figures:
Please spell out numbers that you use in your clauses except for dates. Use correct format for writing out dates. This is above.
§ Spelling and grammar:
Spell check. Have another read it over
Since you have read this entire guide…Please don’t make careless mistakes that have been specifically outlined in this resolution guide. After all you are a college student.