1. Write a short essay answering the questions below. Back up your opinions with evidence (facts, anecdotal information, expert testimonials, etc.)

• How does technology – in particular, the Internet – change the way we access information about what’s happening in the state legislature?
• How does this change in how we access information affect our role as participants in the legislative process?
• Are legislators today more accountable for their actions, because their constituents have access to legislative proceedings via the Internet?

2. Observe legislative proceedings (online, nightly coverage, newspaper reports) and keep a diary of daily happenings. What legislation was discussed? What was the outcome? What did you observe about the legislative process? How can you use the information you’ve gathered or insight you’ve gained from what you’ve observed?

3. Observe or listen to legislative proceedings and determine which types of evidence speakers (Representatives or Senators or citizens testifying during committee meetings) use for credibility when presenting their arguments in favor of or opposition to a piece of legislation. Determine if the speaker is using:

• statistics/research results
• testimonies
• anecdotes/relating stories to make the point
• other evidence (be specific)

4. Determine which types of arguments a speaker is using to make their point:

• logic
• cause & effect
• analogy
• authority
• emotion

5. Describe South Dakota’s lawmaking process and identify ways in which citizens can become involved in that process.

6. Select a piece of legislation of interest to you. Write one letter to the editor presenting opinions and evidence supporting the legislation. Write a second letter presenting opinions and evidence in opposition to the legislation.

7. Select a piece of legislation of interest to the class. Design and conduct a poll of students and parents to determine where your community stands on passage of this bill. Tabulate and evaluate the results. Develop a newspaper article summarizing the results of the poll and informal feedback from poll participants.