Resolution Writing 101

A Guide to Resolution Writing for Model United Nations

What is a resolution?

• A resolution is a written suggestion for the solution of a problem.

• Delegates draft resolutions to present written ideas and actions to help overcome world issues.

• Resolutions are written after the discussion of an issue to present options for action.

Sponsors• Sponsors of resolutions are the

principle authors of the resolution.• They are the writers of the resolution

and are the only people who can approve immediate changes to it.

• There can be one sponsor, but there is usually more.

Signatories• Signatories are countries that may

or may not agree with the resolution, but sign them so that the resolution can be discussed.

• They want to debate the resolution, so they sign their country onto the resolution as a signatory.

• Signatories do not have to agree entirely with the resolution to sign it.

Starting Your Resolution• The first step in writing a resolution is to

gather a group of delegates who have similar opinions on actions to be taken.

• The next step is to establish the sponsor(s).

• When beginning a resolution you should entitle it “Working Paper” because it is not officially a resolution until voted upon by the committee.

• Also, label the paper with the committee name and number, sponsor(s) name(s), topic, and date.

Preambulatory Clauses

• The preamble of a working paper states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the topic and highlights of past international action on the issue.

• Each clause begins with a participle, called a preambulatory clause, and ends with a comma.

• There must be at least three preambulatory clauses in a resolution, but there can be more.

More About Preambulatory Clauses

Preambulatory clauses can include:• References to the UN Charter;• Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties about

the topic;• Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-

General or a relevant UN body agency;• Recognition of the efforts of regional or non

governmental organizations dealing with the issues, and;

• General statements on the topic, its significance or its impact.

• • • • •

• • • • •

• • • • •

Some Preambulatory Clauses

AffirmingAlarmed byApprovingAware ofBearing in mindBelievingConfidentContemplatingConvincedDeclaringDeeply concernedDeeply consciousDeeply convincedDeeply disturbedDeeply regrettingDesiringEmphasizingExpectingExpressing its appreciationExpressing its satisfactionFulfillingFully alarmedFully awareFully believingFurther deploringFurther recalling

Having adoptedHaving consideredHaving considered furtherHaving devoted attentionHaving examinedHaving heardHaving receivedHaving studiedKeeping in mindNoting with regretNoting with deep concernNoting with satisfactionNoting furtherNoting with approvalObservingReaffirmingRealizing RecallingRecognizingReferringSeekingTaking into accountTaking into considerationTaking noteViewing with appreciationWelcoming

Operative Clauses

• Operative clauses identify the actions or recommendations made in a resolution.

• They begin with an operative clause and end with a semicolon.

• There must be at least 5 operative clauses in a resolution, but there can be more.

• Make sure that each operative clause contains a clear solution for the topic at hand.

AcceptsAffirmsApprovesAuthorizesCallsCalls uponCondemnsConfirmsCongratulatesConsidersDeclares accordinglyDeploresDesignatesDraws the attentionEmphasizesEncouragesEndorsesExpresses its appreciationExpresses its hopeFurther invites

Further proclaimsFurther remindsFurther recommendsFurther requestsFurther resolvesHas resolvedNotesProclaimsReaffirmsRecommendsRegrets Reminds Requests Solemnly affirms Strongly condemnsSupports Takes note ofTransmitsTrusts

Some Operative Clauses

Proper Resolution Writing Technique

• When writing a resolution you should head the paper as earlier instructed.

• After all of that information, skip a line to start with your first preambulatory clause.

• All preambulatory and operative clauses are underlined.

• Skip a line after every phrase.• There should be a comma after every

preambulatory phrase.• There should be a semicolon after every operative

clause, and a period after the last one.• Also, number each operative clause starting with 1.

ExampleWorking PaperCommittee: 2nd

Sponsor: BelgiumTopic: The Effect of HIV/AIDS on Developing Countries

The General Assembly,

Alarmed at the number of HIV/AIDS cases worldwide,

Deeply disturbed by the lack of prevention programs in countries most affected by HIV/AIDS,

Acknowledging the need to implement prevention efforts that are not hindered by religious beliefs,

1. Invite religious leaders to endorse prevention programs that do not conflict with moral values;

2. Calls upon UNAIDS to give funding to public organizations to run prevention programs that acknowledge the need to inform listeners of consequences and forms of prevention for HIV/AIDS;

3. Recommends prevention programs that reach the world’s youth;

4. Emphasizes the need for sanitation order in hospitals and clinics dealing with HIV/AIDS victims;

5. Expresses its hope that these prevention programs will influence people to consider the consequences of free sexual relationships and the HIV/ AIDS infection.

Signatories: Spain, Tanzania, China, Germany, Jordan, Lithuania, Brazil, Bolivia, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Greece, Sudan, Austria, Norway

Resolution!• When you have finished writing your

working paper all of the signatories must sign it along with the chair.

• The committee will eventually vote on your working paper.

• If it passes, it become a resolution.

Now you know how to write a

resolution.GOOD LUCK!

Works Cited

• unausa.org