Formatting
Exact formats for position papers, speeches, POIs, motions, resolutions, and amendments. Copy the templates and fill them in.
3.1
Position papers
A position paper shows that you understand the issue, know your country's position, and can propose realistic solutions from that position. Structure: topic background, then country policy, then past actions, then proposed solutions. Common mistakes: too much summary, no country policy, vague solutions, and weak citations.
Delegation from: [Country] Position Paper for: [Committee] Topic: [Topic name] Paragraph 1, topic background: State the issue and why it matters, in two or three sentences. Show that you understand the scale and the stakeholders. Paragraph 2, country policy and past actions: Your country's stance, stated plainly. Laws it has passed, treaties it has signed, votes it has cast, programs it funds. Paragraph 3, proposed solutions: Two or three realistic proposals consistent with paragraph 2. For each: who acts, who pays, who benefits, and how it works. References: cite UN documents, government sources, and statistics.
Want to see it done well? Read the exemplar position papers written by ISM delegates.
3.2
Speeches
Opening speeches state the issue, your country's stance, and the direction you propose. Speakers' list speeches are clear, formal, and persuasive. Moderated caucus speeches are short, focused, and respond to the room.
Honorable Chair, esteemed delegates, [Hook: a question, statistic, quote, or short story about the issue.] The delegation of [Country] believes that [clear position in one sentence]. This issue matters to [Country] because [national interest]. In the past, [Country] has [law, treaty, program, or vote that proves the position]. [Country] urges this committee to prioritize [one or two directions], and looks forward to working with all delegations to [call to action]. Thank you.
[Point: state your argument in one sentence.] [Evidence: one fact, statistic, or precedent that supports it.] [Link: connect it to the resolution or the speaker before you.] [Close: what the committee should do with this point.]
3.3
Points of information
A POI is a question from one delegate to another during debate, asked after the chair recognizes you. Strong POIs are short, clear, diplomatic, and aimed at the speaker's argument. Four reliable forms: funding, consistency, specificity, and failure. When answering, stay in character, answer the question asked, and never argue with the questioner directly. Other points you will use: point of personal privilege, point of parliamentary inquiry, and point of order.
Funding: "How would the delegate's proposal be funded, particularly for countries without the budget capacity to implement it?" Consistency: "The delegate's country voted against [X] in [year]. How does the delegate reconcile that with the position just stated?" Specificity: "Which body would administer this program, and on what timeline?" Failure: "What happens to the proposal if [key actor] declines to participate?"
3.4
Motions
Motions propose what the committee does next. Learn the exact wording so the chair never has to correct you.
Moderated caucus: "The delegation of [Country] motions for a moderated caucus of [total time], with a speaking time of [time], on the topic of [topic]." Unmoderated caucus: "The delegation of [Country] motions for an unmoderated caucus of [total time]." Introduce a draft resolution: "The delegation of [Country] motions to introduce draft resolution [number]." Extend a caucus: "Motion to extend the previous moderated caucus by [time]." Close debate: "The delegation of [Country] motions to close debate and move into voting procedure."
3.5
Resolution writing
A resolution is the committee's plan of action. Preambulatory clauses define the issue and take no action. Operative clauses are numbered, actionable, and each ends with a semicolon. Formatting rules that chairs actually check: number every operative clause, italicize or underline the starting phrase, indent sub-clauses with letters, punctuate preambulatory clauses with commas and operative clauses with semicolons, end the final clause with a period, and list sponsors and signatories at the top. Common mistakes: clauses with no actor, no funding, or no mechanism.
Most UN bodies can only recommend. Requires, forces, compels, and obligates are out of order outside binding bodies like the Security Council.
Affirming · Alarmed by · Aware of · Bearing in mind · Believing · Confident · Convinced · Deeply concerned · Deeply conscious · Emphasizing · Expecting · Fulfilling · Fully aware · Guided by · Having adopted · Having considered · Having examined · Noting with approval · Noting with concern · Observing · Reaffirming · Recalling · Recognizing · Seeking · Taking into account · Underlining · Welcoming
Accepts · Affirms · Approves · Authorizes · Calls upon · Condemns · Confirms · Declares accordingly · Designates · Encourages · Endorses · Expresses its hope · Further invites · Further recommends · Invites · Proclaims · Reaffirms · Recommends · Requests · Suggests · Supports · Urges Binding bodies only (Security Council): Demands · Decides
1. Encourages the creation of regional digital learning centers in
rural communities through partnerships between national education
ministries, NGOs, and private technology companies, by:
a. establishing a pilot program in no fewer than five member
states within two years;
b. inviting UNESCO to publish annual progress reports on
enrollment and completion rates;3.6
Amendments
Friendly amendments are accepted by the sponsors and folded in. Unfriendly amendments are debated and voted on. You can add, strike, or modify a clause, or add a sub-clause. When speaking on an amendment, address only the amendment, not the whole resolution.
Add: "Amendment to add a new clause after clause [N], reading: ..." Strike: "Amendment to strike clause [N]." Modify: "Amendment to modify clause [N] to read: ..." Add a sub-clause: "Amendment to add sub-clause [letter] under clause [N], reading: ..."
Next: Debate and strategy, or jump to Conference preparation.