Writing+Resolutions

=**__Writing a Resolution__ ... and scroll down for other helpful resources!**= The resolution is the primary document of the conference and the main focus of negotiations.


 * Stage 1 - Planning** (adapted from [|**www.mymun.org**])

In this stage you will plan out your resolution. The best way to do this is:


 * Divide a page into two sections. One should be for “Basic Knowledge” and the other “Action to be Taken”.

> > Example: If the topic was “Access to Clean Water”, some good basic knowledge would include: > > //Explanation of documents such as UNDHR (United Nations Declaration of Human Rights) > Facts such as "3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease.."//
 * In the “Basic Knowledge” section, write down all the information that delegates might need to know to understand the rest of the resolution. This may include definitions, dates, names of documents, certain facts.

> > Examples: > //Digging Wells > Reducing Pollution of Freshwater Sources > Stop over irrigation//
 * In the “Action to be Taken” section, write down all the things that should be done to help improve the situation.

> > //Affirming > Alarmed by > Approving > Aware of > Bearing in mind > Believing > Confident > Convinced > Declaring > Deeply concerned > Deeply conscious > Deeply convinced > Deeply disturbed > Desiring > Emphasizing > Expecting > Expressing its appreciation > Expressing its satisfaction > Fulfilling > Fully alarmed > Fully aware > Fully believing > Further deploring > Further recalling > Guided by > Having adopted > Having considered > Having considered further > Having devoted > Having examined > Having heard > Having received > Having studied > Keeping in mind > Noting with deep concern > Noting with approval > Noting further > Noting with regret > Noting with satisfaction > Observing > Reaffirming > Realizing > Recalling > Recognizing > Referring > Seeking > Taking into account > Taking into consideration > Taking notes > Welcoming// > > Sample preambulatory clauses: > > //Aware of the existence of Agenda 21 on the conservation and management of resources for development, > Alarmed by the recent lack of action from the UN member states in the area of toxic waste disposal, > Deeply concerned with the 20% increase in toxic waste production over the last 5 years,//
 * Stage 2 -** **Preambulatory Clauses**
 * Now the information in the “Basic Knowledge” section can be transformed into parts of the first section of a resolution called the Preambulatory Clauses. A clause is simply a statement that is part of a sentence. An interesting fact about resolutions is that they don't have any periods (full stops), except for one at the very end. The preambulatory clauses of the resolution are separated by commas. This part of the resolution focuses on getting people up to date with your issue. It is a section composed of facts; not action or opinions. The clauses should start with preambulatory phrases, which are always italicized or underlined . Examples of preamublatory phrases (which are often only one word) are the following:


 * Stage 3 – Operative Clauses**

> > //Accepts > Affirms > Approves > Authorizes > Calls > Calls upon > Condemns > Confirms > Congratulates > Considers > Declares accordingly > Deplores > Designates > Draws the attention > Emphasizes > Encourages > Endorses > Express its appreciation > Express its hope > Further invites > Further proclaims > Further reminds > Further recommends > Further request > Further resolve > Has resolved > Notes > Proclaims > Reaffirms > Recommends > Regrets > Reminds > Request > Solemnly Affirms > Strongly condemns > Supports > Takes note of > Transmit > Trust > Urges//
 * Now, transform the “Action to be Taken” ideas into the mosNewt important part of the resolution – the operative clauses. The operative clauses are what you think should happen. They suggest action and solutions to the problem given. Operative clauses are still not sentences, and are seperated with semicolons. Operative clauses are preceeded by a number and begin with operative phrases, that, like preabulatory phrases, are always italicized or underlined. Examples are:

**The following is adapted from the AST TAIMUN Training Handbook ** **FORMULATION** Resolutions must be separated into **preambulatory and operative sections** and typed according to the official format (refer to the sample resolution attached below). It is important to ensure that the operative clauses consist only of expression of will or calls for action and that all background information, argumentation and reasoning is contained in the preamble. The whole resolution consists of rather long but nevertheless coherent sentences, divided into clauses and sub clauses. Since delegates are pressured for time during the conference and need to study documents carefully, no resolution should be more than two pages long unless absolutely necessary.

Since issues are taken from the real UN Agenda and since many topics have been debated over many years, not only at UN but at MUN, delegates may want to use UN resolutions or resolutions from previous conferences not only as source material, but may also be inclined to “borrow” ideas, clauses or phrases because they precisely and accurately reflect their own policy. However, delegates should be aware of blindly copying out whole sections of previous resolutions without having completely understood what is written or without having checked the contents for accuracy.
 * PLAGIARISM **


 * FORMAT CHECKLIST: The submitter/resolution should… **

· Include name of the main submitter and the names of a minimum of 8 **co-submitters** who support the resolution · Place the following information at the top of the resolution:  COMMITTEE: QUESTION OF: MAIN SUBMITTER: CO-SUBMITTERS: CO-SPONSORS:

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

· Delegate or school names do not appear on a resolution · The lines of text are numbered · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Utilize pre-ambulatory clauses that provide the audience with a brief overview of the background and context for the proposed actions-including a reference to any relevant UN actions in the past (e.g. documents, conventions etc.) <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Try to limit the number of pre-ambulatory clauses between 3-5 number of lines <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep clauses relatively short and simple to ensure clarity <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Use formal, 3rd person, diplomatic language <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Include a space before and after the words, “THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,” <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Include a space before starting the operative clauses <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Indent all operative and sub-clauses <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Ensure acronyms and abbreviations are written out in full the first time they are used in a resolution, <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Note that the entire resolution should be one long sentence <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Italicize, bold, underline, and capitalize the first words of the pre-ambulatory clause <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">- <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Main clauses should end with a colon if sub-clauses follow <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">- <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Sub-clauses should end with a comma <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; msobidifontfamily: Calibri; msofareastfontfamily: Calibri; msolist: Ignore;">- <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Final sub-clause under each main clause should end with a semi-colon Follow this format: ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;">1. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Requests <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;"> a.) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Establishing <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; msofareastfontfamily: Arial; msolist: Ignore;"> i. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Calls for <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Single sub-clauses are not allowed <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Check for spelling or grammar mistakes before submitting to vetters, or the resolution will not be approved. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Use 10 point Arial font <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Cannot exceed 80 lines in length Good resolutions ** <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Are focused on one issue and developed <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Should be a plan of action which represents the stance of the country that submits/co-submits <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Suggest realistic solutions to a problem <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Show evidence of research <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Should provide suggestions for new solutions rather than re-stating actions or methods that have already been tried
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Other helpful resources for Writing a Resolution:

 * [[file:MSMUN Resolution Checklist and Sample Resolution.docx]]
 * **Resolution Overview, Tips, and Sample from the United Nations Association of the USA**


 * More Sample Preambulatory Phrases**

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 Emphasizing || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Expecting Expressing its appreciation Expressing its satisfaction Fulfilling Fully alarmed Fully aware Fully believing Further deploring Further recalling Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having considered further Having devoted attention Having examined Having heard Having received Having studied Keeping in mind Noting further || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Noting with appreciation Noting with approval Noting with deep concern Noting with regret Noting with satisfaction Observing Pointing out Reaffirming Realizing Recalling Recognizing Referring Reminding Seeking Taking into account Taking into consideration Taking note Viewing with appreciation Welcoming || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> More Sample Operative Phrases**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Acknowledging

Affirms Approves Asks Authorizes Calls for Calls upon Condemns Congratulates Confirms Deplores Designates || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further recommends Further requests Further resolves Hopes Proclaims Proposes || <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Recommends Regrets Requests Resolves Seeks Strongly affirms Strongly condemns Strongly urges Suggests Trusts Transmits Urges ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Accepts