Resolution Writing Guide
Contents
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Resolution Writing
(But Were Too Afraid To Ask)
Introduction
Resolutions are the primary tools of discussion in the United Nations. They form the basis for all UN debate, bringing one or several issues to the floor in a form that Representatives can discuss, amend, and reject or ratify as circumstances dictate. Resolutions usually state a policy that the UN will undertake, but they also may be in the form of treaties, conventions and declarations in some bodies. They range from very general to very specific in content. Depending on the body involved, they may call for or suggest of action, condemn an action, or require an action or impose sanctions on the part of the member states. All of these are viable options, so long as they don't conflict with the rules laid out by the moderation staff over the years.
Amendments to resolutions are the means by which resolutions may be altered by the body involved. Bear in mind, an amendment can only be made before a resolution is submitted as a proposal. If approved, amendments create additions, deletions, or changes to a resolution in order to increase its acceptability to all nations involved. Amendments are usually needed for a body to move towards consensus on a resolution, and is for this reason that nations are encouraged to take the idea for a resolution to the forums before submitting it as a proposal.
Language
No matter the topic your resolution addresses, it is important to respect the rules of the English language. Remember, the UN is a formal diplomatic body. Poorly written resolutions are often ignored by UN delegates or deleted outright by moderators, where a well written resolution can draw attention to an issue that might otherwise have been ignored. Some particular issues to watch out for include:
Contractions
- While a useful linguistic tool, contractions are often referred to as the bane of the English language. Using the wrong contraction can distract the reader, changing the focus of his or her attention from a topic of international concern to your inability to write.
- Note that "you're" and "your" mean different things. The former is the shortened phrase "you are," where the latter is a possessive adjective. Also, be wary of the difference between "its" and "it's." The first is a possessive adjective, the second is the shortened phrase "it is." While these mistakes won't make or break a resolution, they will most certainly earn you grief from some of the more attentive member nations. As for proper usage, here are some examples:
- Your Possessive
- Steve, if you don't stop waving your privates at the representative from Delaware, I'm going to throttle you.
- You're Contractive
- Frank, you're right. We should have never told him how to get to the liquor store.
- Its Possessive
- Easy there, Frank. That bear probably wants to keep its baby. Put it down.
- It's Contractive
- Wow, Steve, you weren't kidding, it's enormous!
Spelling
- In a world filled with word processors and e-mail, poor spelling in a resolution is simply unacceptable. Take the time to put your resolution in Microsoft Word or any other program with a spellchecker and click the button. You'd be surprised how many typos will make it through a first draft, and the time you spend double-checking will spare you the embarrassment of having a good idea forever marred by missing space or commonly misspelled word.
NationStates is an international game
- The NationStates community is made up of people form all over the world. For lots of people who do not speak English at home, often resolutions are very hard to read, because they are written in such a difficult way. (long sentences, complex grammar structures, difficult words etc.) If you write your resolution that way, it will cost you a lot of votes (in addition to annoying those people).
- If I may use myself as an example: I myself was (near) the best of my year in English class. (I am Dutch, and since The Netherlands is a small country, we are generally good at foreign languages) And sometimes, even I can't make heads or tails from resolutions.
General Rules
Please refer yourself to the deleted proposals guide offered by the moderators for a list of things that will cause your resolution to be eaten before it makes it to the floor. This lays out some very basic rules for resolutions, and any nation seeking to make policy within the UN would be wise to read it.
Format
Each resolution should be written using complete sentences and paragraphs, with commas and semicolons separating the various parts. The heading of a resolution should state the country sponsoring the resolution and the topic the resolution will be addressing. Fortunately, the process of submitting a resolution is largely automated, and UN scribes will take care of these details.
Following the heading section, resolutions are split into perambulatory and operative clauses. Perambulatory clauses are listed first, and the are used to justify action, denote past authorizations and precedents for action, and/or denote the purpose for the action. Operative clauses are the statement of policy in a resolution. They are numbered, begin with a verb to denote action (or suggest action), and each clause usually addresses no more than one specific aspect of action to be taken.
Bear in mind, the following clauses are only examples. While all are acceptable for use in legislation, this isn't to say that they are the only words you can use. The author of the resolution is ultimately responsible for the language presented, and any clauses that are within the themes represented are perfectly welcome.
Resolution Clauses
Perambulatory Clauses
Affirming Alarmed by Approving Believing Convinced Declaring Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Desiring Emphasizing Expecting Fully aware Guided by Having adopted Having considered Having examined Keeping in mind Noting with regret Noting with satisfaction Noting further Observing Realizing Reaffirming Recognizing Seeking Taking into account Taking note Welcoming
Operative Clauses
Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls upon Condemns Congratulates Confirms Declares accordingly Designates Emphasizes Endorses Further invites Further reminds Further requests Notes Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets Requests Solemnly affirms Supports Trusts Takes note of Urges
