Preparation Materials

Welcome to our Preparation Materials page. Here you’ll find clear, practical guidance on the essentials of Model United Nations, including what to expect in committee, how to write strong position papers, working papers, and resolutions, and tips for speaking and debating with confidence.

For additional support, visit the OG Shop, where you’ll find downloadable resources designed to help you prepare in greater depth. You can also explore the OG Blog for advice, insights, and reflections from our experienced Secretariat, with practical strategies to support you at every stage of your MUN journey.

What is MUN?

Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation of the United Nations in which students represent countries from around the world and discuss some of the most pressing global issues.

In most committees, delegates work together to develop solutions and present them in the form of resolutions. To pass a resolution, they must use formal and informal debate to persuade others, build support, and secure a majority vote. Along the way, delegates learn to balance their country’s interests with the need to collaborate and reach practical compromises.

We believe there are three core aspects to MUN: advocacy, diplomacy, and knowledge development.

HOW TO DEBATE

At OG, we recognise that debating can feel like one of the most intimidating parts of a Model United Nations conference. With preparation and practice, however, it becomes an opportunity to engage with complex issues, persuade others, and shape the direction of your committee.

Effective debate is less about natural ability than technique, strategy, and confidence, all of which can be developed over time. A strong understanding of the Rules of Procedure (RoP) is also valuable, as these structure debate and allow delegates to use the formal mechanisms of committee effectively.

TYPES OF DEBATE

General Speakers’ List

The General Speakers’ List (GSL) is opened near the beginning of debate and allows delegates to explain their country’s overall position, priorities, and proposed solutions. Speeches often last around 90 seconds, making them relatively easy to prepare in advance and a good starting point for first-time delegates.

The GSL is also valuable for experienced delegates. It provides an opportunity to introduce your ideas, identify potential collaborators, and understand the positions of other countries. Delegates may also be able to answer Points of Information after their speeches, allowing them to clarify their proposals and respond to questions from the committee.

Moderated Caucus

Moderated caucuses focus on a specific aspect of the topic under discussion. Speeches are usually shorter than GSL speeches and often require delegates to respond to the direction debate has taken, rather than relying on a fully prepared speech.

They provide an opportunity to demonstrate strong research, adaptability, and the ability to communicate a clear idea within a limited time. First-time delegates should not be afraid to participate: the substance of your contribution is more important than delivering a perfectly polished speech.

Unmoderated Caucus

Unmoderated caucuses are periods of informal debate in which delegates can move around the room, speak directly with one another, and work in groups. They are usually used to form blocs, negotiate shared positions, and begin drafting working papers or resolutions.

Unlike formal debate, there is no set speaking order, so delegates must take the initiative to introduce their ideas, listen to others, and identify areas of agreement. Effective participation requires a balance of leadership, cooperation, and compromise. Delegates should aim not only to promote their own proposals, but also to help their bloc develop clear and broadly supported solutions.

Panel of Authors

A Panel of Authors may be convened when a draft resolution is introduced. Its sponsors explain the resolution’s main aims and answer questions from the committee. Sponsors should describe clearly and concisely what the resolution seeks to achieve and how its proposals will work. Keeping the introduction focused leaves more time to answer questions, address concerns, and build support for the resolution.

DEBATING STRATEGIES AND TIPS

Structure your speeches

A clear structure makes it easier for the committee to understand and remember your argument. A strong speech will usually:

1. State your main argument.

2. Explain the reasons supporting it.

3. Outline the likely consequences.

4. End with a clear recommendation or call to action.

For example: Delegates, this resolution should not pass for two main reasons. First, it does not sufficiently protect civilians affected by the conflict. Second, it lacks a sustainable long-term plan. Passing it could therefore increase instability rather than resolve it. The delegate of the United Kingdom urges the committee to vote against this resolution and support an approach focused on long-term peace and civilian protection.

You do not need to include several arguments in every speech. One well-explained point is often more persuasive than several ideas delivered without enough detail.

Answer questions clearly

Structure is equally important when answering questions, as you may have only a short time to respond. Address the question directly, explain your reasoning, and connect your answer back to your country’s position or proposal.

There is nothing wrong with pausing briefly before answering. Taking a moment to gather your thoughts will usually result in a clearer and more convincing response.

Practise Regularly

Although we do not recommend scripting every speech, preparation and practice remain essential. Once you understand your topic and country’s position, practise planning and delivering short speeches aloud, either independently or in front of someone else.

You can also practise speaking spontaneously on everyday topics while using formal language and a clear structure. This will help you become more comfortable thinking on your feet and reduce habits such as repeatedly saying “um” or “like”. When you need a moment to think, a deliberate pause is usually more effective than filling the silence.

Position paper guidance

A position paper is a short, essay-style document that introduces your assigned country’s or representative’s position on each committee topic. It should demonstrate your research, explain the relevant background, and outline realistic solutions that your delegation would support.

Position papers are an important part of conference preparation, helping delegates arrive informed, speak with greater confidence, and contribute more effectively during debate.

At some OG conferences, including GlobalVoices, submitting a position paper is mandatory for delegates to remain eligible for committee awards. Delegates should always check the specific guidance for their conference.

SUBMISSION

The submission deadline and instructions will be shared by email. All position papers must be submitted through the OG Hub unless you are told otherwise.

For double-delegate committees, only one set of position papers is required per country. We recommend that the two delegates divide the research and writing between them.

WHAT SHOULD A POSITION PAPER INCLUDE?

Your paper should reflect the role, policy, and powers of your assigned country or representative. Any proposed solutions should be consistent with that position and realistic within the committee’s mandate.

UN Committees

For each topic, include:

1. Historical background and previous UN action

2. Your country’s position

3. Proposed solutions

Specialised Committees

For each topic, include:

1. Background to the issue

2. Your country’s or representative’s position

3. Proposed solutions

Crisis Committees

Include:

1. Background to the situation

2. Your representative’s position

3. A proposed solution or plan of action

In every committee, the proposed solutions section should be the most substantial part of the paper. Consider what has already been attempted, why previous approaches have or have not worked, and how your proposals would build upon or improve existing efforts.

LENGTH AND FORMATTING

For committees with two topics, delegates should write one page per topic, with a maximum of 1.5 pages per topic where additional essential detail is required.

For committees with one topic, delegates may write up to two pages on that topic.

All position papers must:

• Be written on A4 pages

• Be single-spaced

• Use font size 11 or 12

• Include the full committee name and topic title

• Address every topic listed in the committee background guide

• Include references in a bibliography or Works Cited section

The page limit includes all substantive position-paper content, including headings, the committee and topic titles, background information, country position, proposed solutions, quotations, and in-text citations or footnotes.

The bibliography or Works Cited section should appear on a separate page and does not count towards the page limit. This page must contain references only. You must not use it to include additional arguments, explanations, evidence, or other position-paper content.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

We check position papers for plagiarism, AI-generated content, and other forms of academic misconduct. Your submission must be written entirely in your own words and reflect your own research, understanding, and ideas. AI tools must not be used to write or generate any part of your position paper. All information, arguments, and quotations drawn from external sources must be properly referenced.

POSITION PAPER AWARDS

An award for Best Position Paper may be presented in each committee. Papers will be assessed according to:

• Strength and practicality of ideas

• Clarity of presentation

• Depth and quality of research

• Understanding of the assigned country or representative

Please check the Award Policy for your conference for full details on position-paper submission and eligibility for other committee awards.

FURTHER GUIDANCE

A sample position paper is available below. As it was written for a particular committee and conference, it may not reflect every requirement that applies to your submission. Always follow the guidance above, your committee background guide, and any conference-specific instructions you receive.

For further questions about position papers, please contact info@oxfordglobal.org.

How to write working papers and draft resolutions

Working papers and draft resolutions are documents used by delegates to turn the ideas discussed in committee into practical proposals. A working paper is an informal document that brings together a bloc’s initial ideas, while a draft resolution is a formally structured proposal that can be introduced, debated, amended, and voted upon. If it passes, it becomes a resolution of the committee.

OG does not allow pre-written resolutions. Delegates should arrive with strong research and possible solutions, but the documents themselves must be written collaboratively during the conference.

WORKING PAPERS

Working papers are informal documents that outline how a group of delegates proposes to address the topic under discussion. They allow blocs to organise their ideas, share them with the wider committee, and attract further support before producing a draft resolution.

Working papers do not need to follow the formal structure of a resolution or meet the same sponsorship and signatory requirements. Although they are often an important stage in the drafting process, delegates are not always required to submit a working paper before preparing a draft resolution.

WRITING A DRAFT RESOLUTION

A draft resolution sets out the actions that the committee and its members propose taking to address the issue. Its solutions should be detailed, realistic, and consistent with the mandate and powers of the committee.

Draft resolutions follow a formal structure consisting of preambulatory clauses and operative clauses.

Preambulatory Clauses

Preambulatory clauses explain the background and context of the issue. They may refer to previous UN action, relevant international agreements, established principles, or the reasons the committee believes further action is required.

These clauses help establish the purpose of the resolution and provide context for interpreting its proposals.

Preambulatory clauses:

• Begin with a preambulatory phrase (a preambulatory phrase is a formal term used to begin a preambulatory clause, such as Recognising, Recalling, or Concerned by)

• Are not numbered

• Do not contain subparagraphs
  

Operative Clauses

Operative clauses form the main substance of the resolution. They set out the specific actions, recommendations, and solutions proposed by the committee.

Each operative clause should explain clearly what action will be taken. Where relevant, it should also address who will carry it out, how it will be implemented, how it will be funded, and how progress will be monitored.

Operative clauses:

• Begin with an operative phrase (an operative phrase is a formal term used to begin an operative clause, such as Calls upon, Encourages, or Recommends)

• Are numbered

• May contain lettered subparagraphs: (a), (b), (c)

• May contain numbered sub-subparagraphs using Roman numerals: (i), (ii), (iii)

• Must not include any further levels of subparagraphs

SUBMITTING AND INTRODUCING DRAFT RESOLUTIONS

A draft resolution may be submitted to the committee Director once it has secured the required number of sponsors and signatories under the Rules of Procedure. The Director will review the document and may request corrections before approving it for introduction.

Once approved, a sponsor may raise a motion to introduce the draft resolution. At the Director’s discretion, a Panel of Authors may then be convened. This allows the sponsors to summarise the resolution, explain the reasoning behind its proposals, and answer questions from the committee.

This page has introduced the key foundations of Model United Nations, including how debate works, how to prepare and deliver speeches, how to write position papers, and how working papers and draft resolutions are developed in committee.

Remember that requirements may vary between conferences, so always check the specific guidance shared for your event. For further support, visit the OG Shop for downloadable preparation resources and explore the OG Blog for advice and insights from our experienced Secretariat.

You can also follow us on Instagram for regular preparation tips and practical advice. For selected conferences, delegate training sessions will be offered before the event, so keep an eye on your emails for further information and registration details.

We look forward to seeing you soon at the next OG conference!