Final answer:
Delegates at a party convention create a platform that outlines the party's stances on various issues, with each policy issue being a plank of the platform. This platform is essential for guiding candidates during campaigns and shaping the party's overall strategy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Delegates at the convention develop a party platform that describes the party's policy priorities and positions on issues. Each individual issue or policy described in the platform is known as a plank. This platform serves as a comprehensive statement of the party's agenda and its stances on various political matters. For example, one party's platform might advocate for limiting abortions in a state, while another party might push for removing restrictions on gun ownership.
These platforms are crucial during election seasons, as they guide the candidates' campaigns and the policies they promise to implement if elected. Furthermore, the national conventions, where the platforms are developed and ratified, are a focal point for party activities and strategy, not just for the present election cycle but also setting the stage for future ones.