Students formulate a thesis for addressing an environmental concern. Students debate in small groups the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments and counter-arguments. Students record and analyze or critique their speech and debate deliveries, receiving feedback from their peers and the instructor.

Students write and verbally present a bill proposing a new law or law change for an environmental issue accompanied by a multi-media presentation. Students defend position before three faculty members to simulate a legislative debate over the law proposals. Students revise bill proposals and submit them to their local officials for further consideration.

Students review elements of persuasive speech (attention-getter, thesis, development of argument/ideas, acknowledgement of counter-arguments, ethos, logos, pathos, etc.). As students listen to sample persuasive speeches, they discuss and identify effective speaking techniques, such as emphasis, rate, tone, and non-verbal communication.

Students conduct research through interviews with experts about environmental concerns. Students investigate and discuss how a bill becomes a law and the process of amending or repealing a law.