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RESOLUTION WRITING

Instructions and Rules

Terms

  • Resolution - like a UN law; when passed, it becomes part of the UN actions
  • Clause - one section of a resolution, containing one argument or one action
  • Phrase - the first word(s) of a clause
  • Preambulatory clauses - the first part of a resolution.  This section include several clauses and basically gives background reasons (Because of these problems.....)
  • Operative clauses - the second part of a resolution.  This section contains the actions to be taken


Place at the heading of each resolution:

        FORUM: NAME OF COMMITTEE

        QUESTION OF: THE TOPIC OF THE RESOLUTION

        SUBMITTER: THE NAME OF THE SUBMITTING COUNTRY/IES

The General Assembly,

Each resolution:

  1. Each clause begins with a phrase for the list of preambulatory phrases or operative phrases.  The phrase must be underlined.  The first word of the phrase is capitalised.
  2. Preambulatory phrases are not numbered.  Operative phrases are numbered.
  3. Each preambulatory clause ends with a comma.  Each operative clause ends with a semi-colon.  The last operative clause ends wit a period.
  4. Skip a line between each clause.  Indent (one tab space) all lines of each clause after the first line.
  5. Sub-clauses should be indented, and lettered (a), (b).
  6. Acronyms and abbreviations should be written out the first time they appear in the resolution.  Thereafter they can be abbreviated.
  7. The resolution must be formatted in at least 12-point type and may not exceed two pages

 

Preambulatory phrases allowed:

Acknowledging Affirming Alarmed by Approving
Aware of Believing Bearing in mind Confident
Congratulating Contemplating Convinced Declaring
Deeply concerned Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Deeply disturbed
Deeply regretting Deploring Desiring Emphasising
Expecting Fulfilling Fully alarmed Fully aware
Fully believing Further developing Further recalling Guided by
Having adopted Having considered Having examined Having studied
Noting further Noting with appreciation Noting with approval Noting with deep concern
Noting with regret Noting with satisfaction Observing Pointing out
Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognising
Referring Reminding Seeking Taking into account
Taking into consideration Taking note Viewing with appreciation Welcoming

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operative phrases allowed:

Accepts Affirms Approves Asks
Authorises Calls for Calls upon Condemns
Congratulates Confirms Declares accordingly Deplores
Designates Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation
Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further recommends
Further requests Further resolves Hopes Invites
Proclaims Proposes Recommends Regrets
Requests Resolves Seeks Strongly affirms
Strongly condemns Strongly urges Suggests Supports
Trusts Transmits Urges  

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some notes on resolution writing:

  1. Some students like to look impressive by writing long, comprehensive resolutions with sub-clauses, sub-sub-clauses, and acronyms and fancy words all round.  Remember, that very little of that will be attended to during the debate and objectively speaking, these resolutions are rarely any better than simpler, focused ones.
  2. The operative phrases indicate that UN resolutions can create actual action that the UN takes.  However, many clauses, and often whole resolutions, are exhortatory: congratulating nations or groups on action already taken, or encouraging nations or groups to take action in the future.  In cases where the UN itself can't act, it can call upon others to act.
  3. Does your resolution really need to be longer than a page, other than for purposes of showing off?

Please keep the resolutions simple and straight forward.  Experienced students: if you love to pretend that complex arcanity is a substitute for quality, please remember that a lot of students at conferences are beginners.

Please see "Resolution Rules and Layout" for resolution-writing instructions.  Resolutions should be self vetted according to these criteria.

Each resolution will be submitted by at least one country, co-submitters are allowed.  There will be not need to sponsors.
 

H. Berghuis