Learn how to write resolutions that win debates. Our guide covers structure, clause writing, and negotiation strategies for Model UN delegates.

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Drafting a Model UN resolution is all about creating a formal document that offers clear, actionable solutions to a major global problem. To do this effectively, you have to follow a very specific structure: a heading, a set of preambulatory clauses for context, and a series of operative clauses that spell out the actions. Getting this format right is the first—and most important—step toward writing a resolution that can actually pass.

Deconstructing a Winning MUN Resolution

Before you can even think about writing a resolution that will sway the committee, you need to understand its architecture. A powerful resolution isn't just a collection of good ideas; it's a meticulously structured argument presented in a format that every delegate in the room recognizes. Think of it as the official blueprint for how your committee will tackle the issue. Every single part has a job to do.

This structure isn't just some made-up MUN rule, either. It’s based on the way real UN resolutions have been written for decades. A standard resolution has a clear title, context-building "whereas" clauses (the preambs), and action-focused operative clauses. From my experience, a solid, well-balanced resolution usually has somewhere between 3-7 preambulatory clauses and 2-6 operative clauses. This keeps it focused and impactful. For a look at how this kind of formal structure is used outside of MUN, you can check out this global report on future challenges.

The Four Core Components

Every resolution is built on four essential pillars. If any one of them is weak, the whole thing can fall apart during debate.

The Heading: This is the non-negotiable part at the very top. It clearly states the committee, the topic being discussed, the sponsors (the delegates who wrote it), and the signatories (delegates who support debating it). This is your resolution's official ID card.

Preambulatory Clauses: These clauses answer the "why" question. They set the scene by using italicized phrases like Recalling, Affirming, or Deeply concerned by. Their job is to provide historical background, reference past UN actions or international laws, and highlight why the problem is so urgent. Crucially, they don't propose any new action.

Operative Clauses: This is the core of your resolution—it’s the "what." Each clause kicks off with a bolded, underlined action verb like Urges, Recommends, or Decides, and it lays out a specific, concrete step. This is where you put your bloc's innovative solutions on the table.

It's also really important to know the difference between your early brainstorming notes (a working paper) and the final, formal document. A working paper is flexible and informal, but a draft resolution is a rigid proposal that’s ready for official debate and voting. To get a better handle on this, take a look at our guide comparing working papers vs. draft resolutions in MUN.

A classic rookie mistake is writing operative clauses that are way too generic. A clause like "Calls for peace" sounds nice, but it does absolutely nothing. You have to be specific: "Requests the deployment of 500 additional peacekeepers to the northern border region, to be funded by the Central Emergency Response Fund."

This infographic really drives home how tough it is to turn resolutions into real-world results.

The numbers paint a pretty stark picture. Lots of resolutions get passed, but only a handful lead to real, lasting change. That's exactly why crafting well-thought-out, practical solutions is so critical.

To help you keep these parts straight, here’s a quick-reference table that breaks down the essential components.

Key Components of a MUN Resolution

Component	Purpose	Example Phrase Starter
Heading	Identifies the resolution's committee, topic, and authors (sponsors & signatories).	Committee: The General Assembly
Preambulatory Clauses	Provide context, background, and justification for action.	Recalling previous resolutions...
Operative Clauses	Outline the specific actions and solutions being proposed.	Recommends that all member states...

This table is a great cheat sheet to have on hand during unmoderated caucuses when you're piecing together your draft with your bloc. It ensures you don't miss any of the fundamental building blocks.

Building the Foundation with Preambulatory Clauses

Think of preambulatory clauses as the opening argument in a legal case. Before you can jump into proposing solutions, you have to lay the groundwork. You need to establish the problem’s history, its seriousness, and the entire context surrounding it. These clauses, which everyone in committee just calls "preambs," are your chance to tell a story and frame the debate from your perspective.

They're all about answering one critical question: "Why are we even talking about this?" Every clause kicks off with a specific italicized phrase—like Recalling, Acknowledging, or Deeply concerned by—and collectively, they build the logical foundation for the actions you'll demand later. This is where you get to show off all that deep research you did.

Setting the Stage for Action

Your preamble does more than just list facts; it sets the entire tone of the resolution and subtly steers the committee’s thinking. A truly effective preamble weaves a compelling narrative that makes your proposed solutions feel like the only logical conclusion.

Let's say your resolution is trying to tackle desertification in the Sahel region. A strong preamble would strategically reference things like:

Past UN Resolutions: Citing previous actions shows you've done your homework and respect the UN's body of work. A clause like, "Reaffirming General Assembly Resolution 47/188..." builds on an established consensus.

International Law: Mentioning relevant treaties or conventions gives your resolution immediate weight and legitimacy. Starting a clause with "Guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)..." grounds your entire document in accepted international agreements.

Expert Reports and Data: Backing up your claims with hard data is crucial. You could write something like, "Alarmed by the findings of the latest FAO report indicating that 65% of the region's productive land is degraded..."

This methodical approach constructs an undeniable case for action, making it much tougher for other delegates to poke holes in your operative clauses later on.

Connecting the ‘Why’ to the ‘What’

The single biggest mistake I see delegates make is treating the preamble as a throwaway section filled with generic, vague statements. That's a huge missed opportunity. Every single preambulatory clause should have a clear purpose and, ideally, link directly to a specific operative clause that follows. This is what creates a seamless, powerful, and persuasive document.

A well-crafted preamble is your secret weapon. It doesn't just state facts; it builds momentum. It should lead the reader to one conclusion: the actions you're about to propose are not just reasonable, they are absolutely necessary.

Imagine you plan to propose a new water management training program in your operative section. A perfect corresponding preambulatory clause would be something like: "Recognizing the critical lack of local expertise in sustainable irrigation techniques as a primary driver of water scarcity." See? The connection is crystal clear.

Mastering this part of how to write resolutions is about more than just formatting. It's about strategic persuasion. For a closer look at how preambulatory and operative clauses work together, you can get more details by understanding resolution clauses in our complete MUN guide. By building a rock-solid foundation with your preamble, you make sure your solutions aren't just heard, but taken seriously.

Crafting Actionable and Realistic Operative Clauses

If your preambulatory clauses set the stage, your operative clauses deliver the action. This is where your ideas finally get their hands dirty, moving from high-minded concepts to a tangible plan. The entire strength of your resolution lives or dies right here; these clauses are the engine that makes your solution actually work.

Every single operative clause kicks off with a powerful, underlined action verb. Think Urges, Decides, Requests, or Authorizes. These words are more than just a formatting quirk—they dictate the authority and tone of your proposed action. A clause starting with Recommends is a gentle nudge, while one beginning with Condemns is a firm, political line in the sand. Picking the right verb is a strategic move that tells the committee exactly what you mean.

From Vague Ideas to Concrete Actions

The number one mistake I see delegates make when learning how to write resolutions is creating operative clauses that are just too fuzzy. A clause that "Calls upon nations to promote peace" sounds nice, but it’s essentially meaningless. How do you measure it? Who does what? It’s a dead end.

Powerful operative clauses are specific, measurable, and grounded in reality. The key is to get into the details. Instead of just "promoting peace," what specific, concrete action will actually lead to that outcome?

Weak Clause: Encourages the development of educational programs.

Strong Clause: Requests UNESCO to collaborate with member states to develop and distribute a standardized educational curriculum on conflict resolution for secondary schools, funded through the Global Partnership for Education.

See the difference? The strong version nails down the "who" (UNESCO), the "what" (a specific curriculum), the "where" (secondary schools), and even the "how" (funding source). This kind of detail gives the committee something real to debate and makes your solution feel credible and ready to implement.

The Power of Sub-Clauses and Sub-Sub-Clauses

Sometimes, one clause just isn't enough to unpack a complex idea. That's when sub-clauses (and even sub-sub-clauses) become your secret weapon. They let you break down a big initiative into smaller, digestible steps, adding a ton of clarity and depth to your proposal. Think of it as a mini-outline for your action plan.

Your main clause can set the broad goal, and the sub-clauses can then flesh out the mechanics.

1. Decides to establish a monitoring program to track illicit arms transfers in the Horn of Africa, which will:
a) Deploy a team of 15 unarmed observers to key border crossings and ports, b) Require member states in the region to submit quarterly reports on arms imports and exports, c) Utilize satellite imagery analysis provided by UNOSAT to identify suspicious shipments;

This structure is clean, easy to follow during a chaotic debate, and shows the chair that you've thought through the how, not just the what.

Staying Grounded in Reality

Want to lose credibility in a hurry? Propose a solution that’s completely impossible within the UN’s actual framework. Your best ideas need to operate within the real-world constraints of international law, funding mechanisms, and existing organizational mandates.

Here are two classic pitfalls to dodge:

Creating New UN Bodies: Proposing a "new special committee" or "brand-new agency" is a rookie move. The UN is a massive, established system. It's far more effective (and realistic) to empower an existing body—like the UNDP, WHO, or UNHCR—with a slightly expanded mandate or more resources to tackle the issue.

Requesting Unrealistic Funds: Asking for billions of dollars out of thin air will get your clause shot down immediately. Instead, do your research. You can reference existing UN funds, suggest voluntary contributions from member states, or propose public-private partnerships. Showing you understand the UN's financial realities makes your resolution infinitely more persuasive.

Getting the Language and Format Right

In Model UN, how you say something is just as important as what you're saying. A resolution that’s formatted correctly and uses precise diplomatic language instantly earns you credibility. Think of this as your style guide—get these details right, and you’ll find the committee discussing the substance of your ideas, not your formatting mistakes.

Every rule, from the specific indentation to the italicized phrases, serves a purpose. It's a universal language that every delegate and chair understands. When you hand in a perfectly structured resolution, it sends a clear signal: you're prepared, you're serious, and you know what you're doing.

Nailing the Punctuation

Punctuation is one of the easiest places to slip up, but the rules are surprisingly simple and absolute. Get these right, and your resolution will look professional and be much easier to read.

Commas for Preambulatory Clauses: Every single preambulatory clause must end with a comma. This helps all the "why" clauses flow together into one long, continuous thought that sets the stage for your solutions.

Semicolons for Operative Clauses: Each operative clause—except for the very last one—ends with a semicolon. This links all your action points together, showing how they form a single, comprehensive plan.

A Period at the Very End: The entire resolution concludes with one single period after the final operative clause. That’s it. This final stop signals that your proposal is complete.

I always tell new delegates to think of it like this: the commas build your case, and the semicolons connect your actions. It’s a formal convention, but it’s what gives the document its serious, diplomatic weight.

A resolution should feel like one powerful, continuous sentence. The preamble builds momentum with commas, leading into a list of actions linked by semicolons, and finally closes with a single, decisive period. Mastering this flow is crucial for the right tone.

Choosing Your Words with Precision

Beyond punctuation, your choice of words sets the entire tone. Diplomatic language is always formal and precise. You want to avoid any phrasing that sounds overly emotional or aggressive. The specific introductory phrases for clauses aren't just suggestions; they're a required part of the format.

For preambulatory clauses, you’ll always start with an italicized phrase like Acknowledging, Reaffirming, or Deeply concerned by. These words provide context and justification without actually calling for any action.

Operative clauses, on the other hand, must begin with a strong, underlined action verb. This isn't just a stylistic choice; it's a strategic one. The verb you pick determines the strength of your proposed action. For instance, Recommends is a soft suggestion, while Demands is a firm directive that leaves no room for debate.

Here’s a quick breakdown of operative verbs and when to use them:

Verb Strength	Example Verbs	When to Use Them
Soft Power	Suggests, Encourages, Invites	Great for making recommendations or fostering cooperation without forcing anyone's hand.
Moderate Power	Calls upon, Recommends, Requests	Use these for proposing clear actions that you expect other nations to take seriously.
Hard Power	Decides, Demands, Condemns	Reserve these for authoritative actions, typically used in the Security Council or to signal very strong conviction.

This isn’t just about looking official—it genuinely works. Studies have shown that resolutions with clear, numbered points in the operative section have a 40% higher rate of successful implementation. If you're interested in the data behind this, you can explore the full report on global organizational effectiveness. By mastering the small but vital details of how to write resolutions, you transform a piece of paper into a powerful instrument of diplomacy.

Navigating Caucusing and Resolution Mergers

A resolution is never truly written in a vacuum. It’s forged in the fire of an unmoderated caucus—that chaotic, crucial period where your solo prep work meets the real world of diplomacy. This is your chance to turn a working paper into a dominant draft resolution.

But here’s the thing: success isn't just about having brilliant ideas. It's about your ability to negotiate, to persuade, and to build a rock-solid coalition around those ideas.

Your first move? Find your people. As other delegates give their opening speeches, actively listen for policy stances that mesh with your own. The second the chair announces an unmod, make a beeline for them. Don't just ask, "Want to work together?" Instead, pitch your one or two strongest operative clauses. Be quick, be confident, and show them you’ve come to play.

The Art of the Merger

As caucusing unfolds, you'll see different blocs forming, each with their own working paper. It's almost inevitable that you'll find other groups with overlapping solutions. This is where the real diplomacy kicks in. The objective is to merge these separate documents into a single, powerhouse draft resolution that your entire super-bloc can get behind.

This takes a delicate touch—you need to be confident in your own clauses but also willing to compromise.

To pull off a successful merger, you have to be strategic:

Find the Crown Jewels: Quickly identify the most unique and powerful ideas from each of the working papers on the table.

Combine and Polish: Start integrating these key clauses into a fresh document. Pay close attention to making the language and formatting consistent throughout.

Hammer Out the Details: This is where you’ll debate the finer points. Be ready to argue for your preferred funding mechanism or tweak the wording of a sub-clause to win over a skeptical delegate.

The trick is to fiercely protect your non-negotiable policy points while showing flexibility on the smaller stuff. This isn't just about compromise; it’s about demonstrating leadership and putting the group's success ahead of your own ego.

A successful merger isn't about one delegate "winning." It's about skillfully weaving the best ideas from multiple people into a resolution that's stronger, more comprehensive, and has a much better chance of passing than any single paper ever could.

From Draft to Debate

Once your merged resolution has enough sponsors and signatories, you'll submit it to the dais. But your job is far from over. Now, you and your bloc have to be ready to defend it on the floor.

That means fielding pointed questions, clarifying your intentions, and fighting off unfriendly changes from other delegates. To get a handle on that next phase, check out our complete guide on handling amendments in MUN—a critical skill for protecting all your hard work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Resolutions

Even after a few conferences, you'll still run into tricky situations when drafting. The real skill in resolution writing often comes down to knowing how to handle these common roadblocks. Let's break down some of the most frequent questions that pop up, so you can fine-tune your draft and walk into debate with confidence.

Sponsors vs. Signatories: What's the Right Number?

One of the first questions delegates ask is how many sponsors and signatories they should aim for. While every conference has its own rules, a great benchmark is to have 2-4 sponsors and enough signatories to make up about 15-20% of your committee.

Your sponsors are your inner circle—the delegates who helped write the paper and stand behind every single clause. Signatories are different. They don't have to agree with your ideas; they just want to see the resolution debated. Having a strong group of sponsors shows the chair you have a solid base of support, and getting a lot of signatories makes your paper a priority for debate.

Friendly vs. Unfriendly Amendments

The floor can get chaotic when other blocs start trying to change your resolution. This is where understanding amendments becomes critical.

A "friendly" amendment is a simple change that all of your sponsors agree to. If everyone in your core group says "yes," the change is added automatically without a vote.

An "unfriendly" amendment is any proposed change that at least one sponsor shoots down. This is where things get interesting. The amendment is then put to a vote for the entire committee to decide its fate. Knowing this difference is your defense against having your resolution hijacked during debate.

Should I Create a New UN Body?

This is a classic rookie mistake. In the heat of debate, it's tempting to propose a brand-new UN committee or fund to solve the world's problems. You can technically do this, but it's often a major red flag for experienced chairs and delegates.

Proposing the creation of an entirely new UN body is one of the quickest ways to lose credibility. It's generally seen as unrealistic and shows a lack of understanding of the UN's existing structure and budgetary constraints.

A much more sophisticated—and effective—approach is to work within the existing system. Give a new mandate to an organization that's already on the ground, like the UNDP, UNICEF, or UNHCR. Funneling resources to them or expanding their scope is far more realistic. This shows you've done your homework and makes your solutions feel genuinely plausible, which is a huge advantage in debate.

Ready to draft resolutions that dominate the debate? Model Diplomat is your AI-powered co-delegate, providing expert research, strategic insights, and writing assistance to help you prepare with confidence. Master every aspect of MUN at https://modeldiplomat.com.

How to Write Resolutions for Model UN Success