The Nesbru Model United Nations Society

Advanced Level Debater's Guide

Instructional form
1st edition 2006

by Tobias McVey, President

Table of Contents:

I. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................2
Honourable delegate...

II. THE DELEGATE IN MUN..............................................................................2

The composition of a delegation...

III. THE OBJECTIVE IN MUN...........................................................................3

Your objective as a delegate...

IV. THE MODEL U.N. DIPLOMAT.....................................................................3

Researching your UN member...
Developing policy statements/ speeches...
Negotiating: Act of discipline...
a. Tactics
b. Strategies

Lobbying: The proper use of caucus

Resolution writing

V. THE RESOLUTION IN DEBATE...................................................................9

Stance on resolutions
a. In favour of...
b. Against...
c. Neutral (abstention)...
Argumentation
a. Supporting
b. Opposing
c. Compromising: the mediator

VI. THE RULES OF DEBATE.............................................................................12

Formal address
The Points of the House
a. proper usage
b. context of argumentation
I. INTRODUCTION

Honourable Delegate,

It is our pleasure to inform you that the Nesbru Model United Nations society has supplied your
delegation with the informative guide to Model U.N. of advanced level.
This guide is a tool for the delegates participating in an MUN simulation. In it you will find the
main guidelines for writing your policies along with detailed programmes, tactics and aids on
developing your skills as a delegate. The objective of our guide is to introduce the delegate to a
more formal and betterment approach of debating, which will strengthen their abilities when
participating in a conference. We hope that this guide will make debates all the more enjoyable and
ensure the delegate's success in the tasks they will undertake as members of the MUN.

Our congratulations to you as a delegate,

NESMUN society

II. THE DELEGATE IN MUN

The composition of a delegation

In the MUN simulation we have applied the United Nations` system of representation. This system
relies on the composition of a delegation when representing a member of the UN, its structure is as
following:

The delegation consists of delegates representing the same nation or NGO (Non-Governmental
Organisation) in all the committees of the UN. In every delegation an Ambassador is to be selected,
the common practice of the process is an election. Once the ambassador has been selected the
delegation must appoint the delegates to separate committees in which their respective nation or
NGO shall be represented.

The committees of the Model United Nations are as follows:

Security Council
General Assembly:
1st - Disarmament and International Security
2nd - Economic and Social Council Plenary (ECOSOC)
3rd - Social and Humanitarian Committee
4th - International politics and decolonisation
5th - Administrative and Budgetary
6th - Legal committee

In the total account there are seven committees, but in the occasion of arranging the conference
adhering to a specific topic or theme a Special Committee can be established to host a unique
debate for the respective topic. If there are eventually more delegates than the respective seven
committees can host, further committees can be established under the directive of the General
Assembly, these are sub-committees. The delegation must however prioritise how they will
distribute the representatives they have for their delegation in various committees.
Finally, due to the plenary General Assembly (GA) being coordinated simultaneously with the
Security Council (SC), the ambassador of the delegation cannot be a SC representative, as this
would disturb the communication between committees and disrupt the cooperation between
delegates of the same delegation.
III. THE OBJECTIVE IN MUN

Your objective as a delegate

It is the responsibility and foremost objective of the delegate to represent their respective UN
member in a manner which promotes their active policies on the issues debated in the conference in
addition to acting in a corresponding manner to their negotiating procedures. This does not require
the delegate to have absolutely encyclopaedic knowledge of their delegations assigned UN member,
only that the principal political essence of their policy is presented in the productive and formal
manner required by the MUN conference.

The delegate is required to prepare for the topics of the committee they are assigned to, the chairs 1
of the committees shall provide with research papers on every issue. The research papers will give
the delegate the most relevant information to the topic discussed, however applying additional
information to their work gives the delegate a considerable advantage when assessing a more
peripheral question or when referring to previous resolutions on the topic in question.

In this preparatory process the delegate is also required to present a policy statement, whilst the
Ambassador shall present additionally a speech held before the plenary session of the GA. This will
be explained further in the next chapter of the MUN guide.

As a final note to the objective, the MUN conferences are primarily a simulation process in which
the delegate shall learn interaction with other delegates and the art of diplomacy, negotiation and
debate. We urge the importance of this fact to stay with the delegate so that the conference remains
in focus before individual benefit, the expectancy of your delegation to act professionally and
productively is therefore high and should be remembered at all times. The conference relies on
cooperation to function and the moreover reasonably ability to engage a congregational discussion
in which all the delegates' opinions are heard.

IV. THE MODEL U.N. DIPLOMAT

Researching your UN member

The assigned UN member to your delegation is the focus which you will keep in mind when writing
your policies, debating resolutions and conclusively negotiating. As such, the delegation must
ensure that every delegate has information about the following factors:

Political Structure:
The head of government/state
The support of government and its stability
Legal and Constitutional effects

Economy:
Membership in economic organisations (WTO, IMF, OPEC...)
Major trades (import, export...)
Monetary system (currency, rates...)

1
Chairs = MUN judges and procedural administrators
 Defence:
Military strength (structure, international service (UN, NATO...))
Conflicts affecting foreign policy
Dependency on alliances

Cultural:
Population rate (Ethnic groups(Indigenous people...))
Religion
Cultural History

History:
Last century
Recent history
General (Noticeable to UN)

Geography:
Neighbouring regions and countries
Geo-politics (Related politics)
General (topography and agriculture)

Natural resources:
Level of Self-sufficiency
Minerals (primary, secondary, tertiary...)
Trade (commodities of agriculture, minerals...)

Foreign policy:
Political stance (influence with other nations)
Supporting causes (economical, political and military)
Influence in membership organisations (UN, WTO...)

Of course the delegates will not necessarily benefit from all this information, depending on the
topics of their committees that is, but a short informational guide or a file with quick facts are
necessary tools adding further flexibility to partake in peripheral debates giving the delegate more
influence.

Note that the information held by the delegate should be presented before the committee in the most
appropriate manner benefiting their resolution and/or UN member. It is common that delegates
from other delegations may question your policy and research about other UN members in order to
improve their negotiations with them. As such it would specifically aid your delegation to know
which of the UN members your UN member aids, supports or disagrees with so that your opinions
remain clear before the members of your committee. Attaining and keeping the influence with other
delegates is vital for the support and success of your resolutions, therefore mediating with them is a
necessary requirement in order to avoid undesired misunderstandings and rather promote the
compromising policy the chairs expect during debate.
Developing policy statements/ speeches

The policy statement and Ambassadorial speech mentioned in the previous chapter shall be
presented in the introductory statements of the General Assembly and Security Council.
The policy statement is required of every delegate and should reflect your delegation's policy on the
topics your committee host for debate. It is beneficial for your delegation to present relevant
agreements, trade relations and/or the UN member's relations to another UN member, this informs
your fellow delegates about your principal ideas and will incite the cooperative effort required for
writing a resolution on the issue.

Remember to outline any specific plans your UN member wishes to express for the world
community, for example how your UN member stresses the importance of ratifying a UN treaty or
respecting it and bearing such further with their political relations.

The Ambassadorial speech, often referred to as opening speech, is held by the Ambassador alone
before the General Assembly during the opening procedure. This speech is an essential and
informative presentation in which the Ambassador should spend their time on structuring in order to
inform the GA delegates whom you openly support or wish to negotiate with on the topics. It is
advisable to mention the topics of all committees as this will inform the other Ambassadors how
you are interested in cooperating, which is relayed further to their delegates in separate committees.

Negotiating: Act of discipline

Negotiating is the basic skill of diplomacy the delegate must practice at all times during the MUN
conference. It will definitely affect your efforts in the committees as the entire committee will be
made attentive as to exactly how the policy you promote resolves and issue and why you believe
this is so. Be direct and specific when discussing the structure of your resolution and how it shall
operate, whether it is submitted by you or another delegate is not nearly as important as making
your opinions heard and presented in the best form applicable.

These are essential tools strongly advised on having clarified:

1. Thoroughly understand UN member policies on the issues

2. Rate the priority of your UN member
3. Identify sources of support and opposition (blocs and individual countries)
4. Be prepared to assert position through use of background information and appropriate
interactive techniques
5. Be the diplomat in character. always.
6. Advice: Stance and impression on clarifying your policy gains influence and respect

When holding a formal meeting:

1. Be fully aware of procedures being outlined

2. Know how to get recognised for issuing statements, e.g., use of placards, speakers' lists,
etc.
3. Keep to the point when making statements
4. Speak only when necessary
5. show proper respect for committee chair
- Use of proper language
- Question rulings only when absolutely necessary ( parliamentary inquiry)
 6. Be respectful of other delegates
- Use of proper language
- Display diplomatic courtesy
- Use of formal points (point of order, point of information...) shall be used
appropriately to state your agreement or disagreement with statements
7. Exhibit proper decorum at all times

A. Tactics

Every delegate will eventually develop a specific tactic as to how they gain influence,
support and eventually master the negotiating process. To begin with a basic tactic is
required, especially for the lesser experienced delegates. During the caucus or lobbying
delegates will be working to ensure the support of fellow delegates so as to pass their
resolutions and/or get co-submitters.

Here is a basic tactic in accordance with the table of events:

Opening speeches: State the desired UN member's effort and work on the issue to express
your cooperative and positive attitude held against them. Showing an
expression of body language such as a nod and positive lingual
expression clearly shows your dedication on working collectively.
This is almost an insurance for getting cooperative talks with UN
member x.

Lobbying: Go immediately to the UN member x you need to cooperate with and

state that you have the same principal ideas and wish to collaborate
with them. Furthermore you should cooperate with your partner on
getting further delegates expressing similar ideas in order to ensure
that your resolution written on the topic is taking a more concise
course of action according to the issue.

Remember that by showing these members respect for their opinions

they will in return do so and this encourages the social need to
cooperate and succeed. A strong sense of cooperation is the principal
concept of teamwork which moves a static discussion to a dynamic
debate where all parties participate.

Debating: Express the absolutes and ultimatums the resolution has and how the
collaborated effort of the co-submitters has brought this resolution
into being. Refer to the clauses which are the strongest and explain how
they deal with the issue in a manner that resolves the issue completely.
Appeal to all UN members by showing them the transparency and
definite conclusion of the resolution, preferably showing them how
the structure will further the cause of the UN's goals by a sound
administration.
The impression you make upon the delegates in your team, the co-signer group, the better they will
think of your opinions. Therefore remember how the personal attributes can assertively provide you
with the support needed to be the most influential party in a discussion, because this is how leaders
become the submitters of a resolution. Give incentives to brainstorming and lead your fellow
delegates to expressing their opinions as well as your clearly and strongly in your resolutions, this
shows your leadership skills are beneficial for the group as a whole, avoiding the unfortunate
situation where you may stand out as dominating.

A few simple tips for expressing your leadership-skills:

Flexibility
Improvising according to ideas
Compromising
Adapting
Open-minded
Constructive
Creative
Specific answers
Showing interest for ideas

B. Strategies

After the introductory session of the GA and Security Council are held the chairs open time for
lobbying. This is the time in which the most intense negotiating will take place.
The tactic mentioned earlier is a basic method of handling the conference, but developing a strategy
to it requires the team to cooperate in a manner where all opinions are heard whilst simultaneously
and dynamically shaping the course of discussion into your field of expertise.
Controlling the debate by leading the committee into a single file of focused discussion immunises
the resolution from being “attacked” by contra-arguments.

When debating a resolution it is often a repeated clause or a recurrent theme which draws specific
attention and decidedly focuses the sphere of discussion on a single aspect. This can be either only
an incomplete assessment of a more peripheral question or the strategy of the opposing faction,
hence it is important to outline how this form of debating is faulty. To do this we show the obvious
protagonist statement and the antagonist rebuttal:

in favour: The act of focus is positive in the sense that a specific factor is brought to
close attention and effectively discussed.

against: The specific focus is negative in the sense that a focus on a single factor rules
out the relevance of the whole question. By adhering to solely discussing one
aspect unnecessary bureaucracy will arise.

Seeing the obvious protagonist and antagonist statement of an argument can be used for more
devious strategies, such techniques draw immediate attention to them and call for the opposition to
make a response contradicting the obvious statement. Using the knowledge of an opposer's obvious
retort to act in advance and have the completed protagonist argument ready in your response to an
antagonist response, will if successfully planned, make the opposing argument fail and bring further
support to your argument. This is a strategy through which the debater avoids having to disclose the
focus on contradicting an opposition, but rather bring the last vote needed for assuring a majority
voting in favour of your policy.
Lobbying: The proper use of caucus

The lobbying time is the crucial moment where the delegate's skills at interaction are put to the
ultimate test. Being too ambitious and controlling will seem dominating and will lose you co-
signers, because in MUN there is no must for a delegate to sign your resolution even if it supports
their cause. If you however fail to bring your arguments into a resolution your opinions will be less
respected. These are two ways the scales can be tipped and cause the failure of your policy, beware
of these and approach with the sole intent of constructive and productive talks. Then you can rest
assuredly that the group is respecting you mutually.

So how does the delegate walk the middle path? It is a method which becomes all the easier by
cooperating with someone, hence the reference to preparations in advance become a more obvious
necessity. When engaging discussion on a topic with your potential team the delegate would do
wise to discretely offer them in a formal manner the respect of being essential to the success of the
resolution. Whilst every effort of the team members are vital for the success of a resolution, it is
more important that the collective effort is guided by the common ground on which you agree. A
biased resolution will surely lose its co-signers if contradicted in debate, for there exists no
incentive for the whole team to act.

Therefore the whole team must brainstorm rather than simply suggest their own opinions, whilst
doing so all delegates should reason their claims and afterwards cooperate on adapting the ideas
into the operative clauses of a resolution. In brief a conclusion would be simply explained by
formerly mentioned tactics for a delegate:

Flexibility
Improvising according to ideas
Compromising
Adapting
Open-minded
Constructive
Creative
Specific answers
Showing interest for ideas

Notice that all points are applicable to the process of lobbying and are recurrent methods which
ensure the mutual respect needed for a team to advance on passing a resolution.
Good luck with the lobbying.

Resolution writing

In the Model United Nations the process of passing the opinions and political stances into UN
directory and policy are done so through resolutions. A resolution bears similar resemblance to the
law-adapting forms of “bills” and “acts”, only the UN resolutions bear clear differences in their
context, and depending on their committee, the authority through which the points shall be carried
out. The resolutions accepted in a General Assembly committee such as ECOSOC may very well
meet clear opposition in the GA even if the ECOSOC has in the first place passed the resolution
with a two third majority. Yet the most undesirable situation possibly to occur lies in disagreeing
with a permanent member of the Security Council, because they retain the authority to lay down
veto against a resolution they find opposing them.
This reimburses the reason for mediating rather than making ultimatums in a resolution.
The resolution is one single coherent sentence which decided the United Nations' political stance on
a specific topic.
The resolution has a simple structure, which if devised correctly, will render an opposition's
arguments useless. The Three components are:

The Submitter role and address to appropriate committee

The Pre ambulatory clauses
The Operative clauses

The first part requires only the question to be stated and the selection of a main submitter. Yet, the
selection of this submitter should be made carefully by the team, as some delegates wish for the
most prestigious role with no particular political reason. As mentioned earlier, the recommended
process is electing this figure.

The second part is a fairly easier process, because the pre ambulatory clauses will not be debated in
an ordinary session of a resolution. However, the requirement for pre ambulatory clauses will be to
make a good guideline explaining what the resolution focuses on. Having few vague clauses will
not give the reader an impression clear enough to understand what the sphere of interest is, as such
a resolution with poor pre ambulatory clauses will never be seen as transparent, especially when
brought before the GA in plenary session or the Security Council.
The understanding of a resolution's spectre is therefore at the core of interest when reading the pre
ambulatory clauses, which is a reason why the main submitters are not required to read these out.
A brief understanding of these introductory statements is, to be concise:

“A thorough example of showing the topic's relevance whilst simultaneously explaining the
focus on the resolution's suggested means of resolving it.”

Finally, the operative clauses are the most important part of the resolution where the UN agenda is
concerned, because these are the only clauses which outline how the UN will act upon an issue.
The operative clauses applicable to the GA committees are regulated to have certain restrictions,
these are to exclude the Security Council operative clauses which decidedly declare the United
Nations' official policy. Whilst this has allegedly been said to exclude certain UN members from
achieving political victories, it is in fact a rule through which their interests are protected from
bureaucracy. If the operative clauses with authority to pass immediate action were applicable to the
GA then the debates would surely take more time and cause unnecessary prohibitions on seemingly
every resolution.

Keeping this in mind, a team of cooperating UN members can make a single resolution which deals
with a majority of aspects relevant to a debate, and clearly outline in a simple speech how the
resolution applies to all the members of the UN and can be ratified immediately. Yet, this ideal
resolution relies heavily on having means to answer for the recurrent thematic question regarding
incentives. It relies on compromising between parties. As mentioned earlier, even if there is a single
point which opposes a permanent SC member it will be vetoed against.

The mediator is the role of a resolution to be exact, because unlike a solution, the resolution adds a
formal address which approves of a resolving answer. Being an international organisation working
for world peace and cooperation through mutual understanding this is apparently the single most
important rule when writing a resolution.
Second, the mediator must be clear to define the United Nations' role in the conflict respectively
referring to the issue at hand, because a resolution depending on a simple denominating factor is
simply contradicted in debate by outlining its vague or “weak” solutions.
Make sure therefore that parties whom have not partaken in writing the resolution take a look at it
before sending it to approval panel as it will give you good feedback on how transparent the
resolution is.

Finally, make sure the resolution has a structure which can be easily navigated through by the co-
signers, this ensures a mark of success when debating it in a forum. In the event of being asked a
question from one's own resolution on three pages it is rather profitable to know which clause is
being referred to and how it relates to the entity of the resolution.

V. THE RESOLUTION IN DEBATE

Stance on resolutions

The resolution will, once checked by the approval panel, be debated in the committee. When the
debate begins it is therefore important to know how the open voting system of the UN functions.

A. In favour of

When the voting procedures commences, this is the voting stance which approves of the resolution
or the amendment being debated on the resolution. It is stated the vote which ratifies and accepts the
discussed theme for law in the UN.

B. Against

This vote has by its obvious source the power to oppose a resolution. Depending on the rules the
MUN conference uses for their voting system, a majority of two thirds is required to pass a
resolution.

C. Abstention (neutral)

The final vote called for by the chairs, in recent account it has been also accepted in the minor
voting procedure of amendments (In this occasion NGOs may vote). The abstention is not an
advisable vote unless there remains a policy which states that the UN member in question is neutral
in the conflict. The abstention means practically neither support for the submitters nor the
opposition, it merely reflects the open voting system and the right to remain impartial.

It is advisable that the delegate take part in the debate even if they have not a resolution on the
topic, because there may be resolutions relevant to their UN member which has not been brought
before their attention. This also benefits the delegation as the whole committee will notice that the
delegate actively pursues open discussion.
When addressing the forum these are advisable introductory statements (regardless of stance):

We firmly/ sincerely/ believe

We are absolutely/ completely convinced
We are certain
It is our firm/ sincere belief
It is our firm/ sincere conviction
It is evident
It is of the utmost importance
We would like to reiterate
We attach great importance
We would like to emphasise
We would like to stress the importance of
We would like to underline the importance of
It is crucial
It is essential
It is imperative
It is mandatory
It is necessary
It is of the essence
It is urgent
It is vital

Argumentation

When in debate the delegate would be wise to consider their approach on presenting a topic. When
a UN member has not stated their opinion on a topic it is essential that the delegate's speech on the
resolution gets their firm attention and relates to their policy our government in some manner.
Make no mistake about this, the most respectful and honourable delegate uses formal manners and
parliamentary language to get the support they need and make the opposing statement clear enough
that even a transparent resolution needs an amendment.

A. Supporting

The supporting argumentation relies on confirming the content and proposal of the resolution being
discussed, if not speaking to voice support to a fellow UN member. When supporting a statement in
the MUN reiterating and reimbursing is a common tactic to show the approval of an opinion, but it
is not convincing the entire House.

In order to attain a majority of votes in the committee a delegate should not rely on the common
ground, it is easily contradicted by an opposition's argument decreasing the protagonist's liability.
A suggested approach is to rather outline how the problem is to be assessed, by showing the entire
House that there is a common understanding of the topic's essence gives incentive to listen to the
compromise. The supporting debater must ensure that the entire House has the same impression as
to how the issue should be solved, and this should evidently be a course of action supporting the
debater's policy.
B. Opposing

The opposing debater's role is the easiest debate to win. It is by far considered the easiest approach
to “win” a debate, but in the MUN this holds a negative impression and warrants no positive image
of the delegate. However, there are obviously political disagreements, and when these do happen
the debate is at its highest level, requiring seriously and well thought through arguments to tip the
scales of voting in their favour.

When opposing a statement, amendment or resolution for that matter, a basic argument used is the
natural displacement. It relies on simply switching the order of evidence to prove its obvious
contradiction. For example:

in favour: This resolution has a constructive approach which adheres to the previous
resolution x and is therefore an advisable solution to the problem.

against: The resolution has in fact not a constructive approach because its reference of
the previous resolution is not complete, its full meaning is an inconsistent
comparison. Thus, it is not at all an advisable solution to the problem.

Part A of the argument is the evidence of reference to a previous resolution passed on the topic, but
although it does show the UN has approved of a similar tactic it is not necessarily complete. The
conclusion in part B shows therefore that the argument can be ruled equally in favour as in against
the motion.

C. Compromising: the mediator

The compromising approach is the approach of a neutral UN member. Here a neutral party can
submit an amendment to the topic's resolution which gives them a reason to vote in favour or
against the resolution. The mediator is the “praiseworthy” delegate of the committee using all the
resources necessary to improve the debate level and bring new aspects to the topic with perhaps no
incentive at all. A mediator does the utmost to become part of the debate and has an easy approach
to the debate by sending notes to both the protagonist and antagonist gathering information to
clarify their own political stance.
The successful mediator goes from voting an abstention to either in favour or against.

It is in conclusion the request of all MUN conferences that the delegate evaluates the issue properly,
argumentation is in a debate, and in a debate every argument must have a reasoning. Without this
the delegate does not contribute to a discussion and will encounter difficulty if a motion is called to
validate and reason the vote they hold on a topic.
VI. THE RULES OF DEBATE

Formal address

When speaking before the committee the delegate must master the diplomatic manners of formal
address. In the MUN debate forum it is required that the speakers refer to themselves and all other
factors in debate in third person, yet it is also advisable to impress the House with refined excuses
and reasoning for an argument.

Here are a few advisable introductory statements:

Expressing Commitment
We are firmly committed to
We are fully committed to
We would like to reaffirm our commitment to
We remain committed to
We shall do our best/ utmost/ uttermost to
We shall make every effort to

Persuading, Appealing or Calling for Action

We restate our conviction
The question of...is one which is of vital interest to all parties.
These questions should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
It is high time
The time has now come for us to set aside our differences and
The only viable solution is
The only realistic solution is
We call upon all delegations / member states to
We urge all delegations / member states to

Referring to Ongoing Discussion

We have listened with interest to
We have noted with satisfaction
We have noted with concern
We were interested / pleased / surprised to hear / learn / discover /note

Structuring the Discussion

We would like to revert to / go back to / return to
In order to further / help advance the discussion,
In order to move the discussion forward,

It is obvious that the repeated usage of appealing and specific addresses in parliamentary language
are advisable. This is not only for the sole purpose of making a formal impression, this is primarily
for the social benefiting of the whole forum. An essential difference between the arguing and
disorderly to the MUN committee is our discretion and respect for other's opinions.
It is not without reason that chairs will avoid conflicts between delegates, it is in our interest of
creating a constructive and open dialogue that we show our utmost respect to our fellow delegates
and approach all debates with the intention of contributing to the discussion.
The Points of the House

There are rules of procedure in the house used by the delegate in order to clarify issues and make
the discussion move forward in the most effective manner.

A. proper usage

Points of information: If the chair deems appropriate, comments will be

allowed after a delegate's speech (substantive speeches
only). Also included are points of information, which
can be directed to the speaker after he/she is finished
speaking.

Point of personal privilege: If a delegate experiences personal discomfort that

constitutes a hindrance to following the proceedings,
he/she may request a point of personal privilege. (This
might include items such as noise, distractions, etc.)

Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: This is designed to allow a delegate to question the

chair as to correct the parliamentary procedure. This is
merely a clarification point and should be used as such.

Recess or Adjournment: If the floor is open, a delegate may move to recess or

adjourn. The delegates should use their own judgement
when asking for a recess or an adjournment.

Caucus: A delegate may move to caucus at any time prior to

closure of debate. The chair will set a time limit for the
caucus and explain its purpose. The chair may also rule
a motion to caucus out of order if it is not deemed to be
needed.

Informal Consideration: When informal discussion of the entire issue under

consideration appears beneficial, the President or
delegate may propose that the body move into a session
of informal consideration. The purpose shall be to
clarify points of confusion through informal discussion.
This action shall be taken upon by a simple majority
vote. The chair may subsequently entertain a point of
order to return to formal consideration.

Postponement and Resumption of Debate: In order to debate a particular amendment or to discuss

other matters, a delegate may move to postpone debate.
This is at the discretion of the chair. Similarly, during a
postponement, a delegate can move for resumption of
debate.
 Division of the Question: After closure of debate on a resolution or an
amendment, a delegate may move to have the operative
clauses of the resolution or amendment voted upon
separately. The chair will then accept proposals for
division. A vote shall be called upon the way in
which to divide the question after which the operative clauses
will be voted on.

Second Interrupt Debate: Vote

Item
Required Speaker pro/con Required

Point of Order No No None Chair

Point of Personal Privilege No Yes None Chair
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry No No None Chair
Point of Information No No None Chair
Appeal the Decision of Chair No No 1-Chair 2/3
Motion to Adjourn Yes No None Majority
Motion to Recess Yes No None Majority
Motion for a Caucus Yes No None Majority
Motion to Close Speaker's List Yes No None 2/3
Motion to Table Yes No None 2/3
Motion to Postpone Debate Yes No 1-1 Majority
Motion to Close Debate Yes No 1-2 2/3
Motion to Reconsider Yes No 1-1 Majority
Motion to Resume Debate Yes No 1-1 Majority
Motion to Divide the Question Yes No 1-1 Majority
Resolution Yes No Yes 2/3
Amendment Yes No Yes Majority
Motion to Alter the Agenda Yes No 1-1 Majority

B. context of argumentation

The most important rule about the points is that they are used in proper context of argumentation
and parliamentary procedure. If the chair finds a point or motion used in the wrong context they
may at their own discretion overrule such. In the event of overruling it is fair to use the point or
motion in question once more provided that in this situation it is applicable.
Last note to readers

The council of the NESMUN society hope this guide provides clarity to the proceedings of the
MUN forum, yet we will strive to improve our advanced guidelines for debaters. This issue shall be
renewed by the beginning of the autumn 2006 by the discretion of those responsible for editing,
until then we would appreciate any comments on our booklet.

Our congratulations to the delegates of tomorrow.

On behalf of the NESMUN society, our kindest regards,

NESMUN council 2006.