How To Write Legislation in 3 Easy Steps
Legislation refers to the preparation and enactment of laws by a legislative body through its lawmaking process. The legislative process includes evaluating, amending, and voting on proposed laws and is concerned with the words used in the bill to communicate the values, judgments, and purposes of the proposal.
I’ve always wondered how difficult it must be to write a piece of legislation. I mean… this is what makes our laws, it must be difficult… right? Boy was I wrong. It only takes a little time and effort, and soon you can be on your way to making killer legislation for your city.
#1 — Keep it simple, and keep it focused
Laws are most effective when they are simple. The words used must be clear and to the point, so that the reader is not confused by a single word.
One thing that might surprise you, is that when you write legislation, it is best to repeat the same words throughout your writing. Contrary to what your english teacher may have taught you, a thesaurus is not your best-friend when it comes to writing law. Always refer to the same thing with its exact title, and always make these titles sound unique.
Another thing to remember is that your readers do not want to be dazzled or impressed by your writing skills. All they want is to read your words as quickly as possible, and understand what exactly is being asked. If you are always straightforward and to the point, your reader will appreciate it.
#2 — Ask for help, build a team
Legislation requires teamwork, and it makes the process a whole lot easier when you’ve built a great team. It’s best not to overload yourself with all of the work. Instead, get a friend or an ally to help split the tasks. If your proposal is particularly complex, your legislation can get pretty lengthy and the research can start to pile up, so finding someone to partner up with, is always a great idea.
When conducting research, it’s also important to ask experts. One thing you may find interesting, is that these experts will be excited to answer any questions you may have. If you express your passion and your mission, they will be happy to. give you as much information as you may need.
#3 — Be patient!
Drafting legislation can take some time, but the longer you take to make sure it’s perfect, the more likely you are to make a difference. Taking your time to build up the perfect document might feel like too much to handle, but it is worth the wait. 15 minutes a day to work on your law can help you manage your tasks while also giving you a fresh mind to correct some mistakes.
When it comes to getting your idea out there, be prepared that it will take time.. While drafting your document, tell others about what you are doing, so by the time you’ve finished your legislation, you will already have amassed a following to support you and your idea.
Legislation is something that has always been reserved for the higher-ups in society, but a small handful of representatives doesn’t seem to be enough to fix today’s ever-growing list of issues. Many people are taking it upon themselves to write up the laws that politicians are too afraid to make. You could be a part of this new wave of legislators. You can be the change you wish to see.
Quae
Quae is on a mission to give people the power to vote every day. Amplify your voice and take action in your community. Coming to Hoboken, NJ.
Send us a note, we’d love to hear from you: info@quae.app
