Master Model UN with our complete guide on every type of resolution. Learn about working papers, draft resolutions, and amendments to excel in committee.

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In Model UN, the kind of document you're working on really depends on where you are in the debate. You'll start with informal working papers, move to formal draft resolutions, and eventually, hopefully, see it become a final resolution. Each one serves a specific purpose, tracking an idea's journey from a rough concept into a policy the whole committee can get behind. Getting a handle on these stages is your first big step toward mastering MUN diplomacy.

Your Guide to Model UN Resolutions

Think of a resolution as the final boss of any Model UN committee. It’s the ultimate goal. This isn't just a piece of paper; it’s a detailed action plan meant to tackle a major global problem. The entire conference—from your first day of research and that nerve-wracking opening speech to all the back-channel lobbying and heated debate—is all about creating, tweaking, and passing this document. It’s the culmination of some serious negotiation and teamwork.

Every delegate walks into that room hoping to see their ideas make it into the final resolution. That’s why understanding each document type is so crucial. You wouldn't build a house without knowing the difference between a rough sketch and the final architectural blueprint, right? It's the same logic here. Each document has its own set of rules, a clear purpose, and a smart way to use it.

The Document Lifecycle

The path from a simple idea to a passed resolution is a pretty clear one. It kicks off with some informal brainstorming, gets more structured as you go, and wraps up with a formal vote. This infographic breaks down the typical flow, from that first spark of an idea to a polished, committee-approved document.

This visual really drives home how unstructured ideas get organized into a working paper first. Only then are they formalized into a draft resolution that's ready for the whole committee to debate and vote on. Nailing this lifecycle is key to finding your way through a committee session without getting lost.

An Overview of Key Documents

To really make an impact, you have to know which document to use and when. The process is so much more than just writing—it's about building support and finding common ground every step of the way. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of each format, let's start with a quick look at the main documents you'll be dealing with.

A resolution is diplomacy made tangible. It’s the written proof that a room full of delegates from different countries could find common ground on a tough issue and agree on a way forward, together.

Here’s a simple table to give you an at-a-glance summary of each document’s job in the MUN process.

Quick Guide to Model UN Document Types

This table breaks down the essential documents you'll encounter in Model UN, from those first scribbled notes to the final, approved policy.

Document Type	Purpose	When It Is Used
Working Paper	To brainstorm and outline initial ideas informally with allies.	During unmoderated caucuses early in the conference.
Draft Resolution	To formally propose solutions for debate and voting.	After a bloc has consolidated ideas from a working paper.
Amendment	To modify a draft resolution by adding, changing, or deleting clauses.	During formal debate on a specific draft resolution.
Resolution	The final, passed version of a draft resolution.	After a draft resolution successfully passes a committee vote.

Having this cheat sheet in mind helps you stay strategic, ensuring you’re always using the right tool at the right time.

The Working Paper: Your Starting Point

Every great resolution starts somewhere. It doesn't begin with a perfectly formatted document, but usually with a conversation, a flurry of sticky notes, and what's known in Model UN as a working paper.

Think of a working paper as your group's shared notepad or a digital whiteboard. It’s the raw, informal space where you and your new allies can throw ideas around without worrying about strict rules or formatting. This is where the real work of diplomacy begins—merging different perspectives into a single, cohesive plan.

The beauty of the working paper is its flexibility. Its main job is to help you and other like-minded delegates gather your thoughts, test out different solutions, and start building a coalition. It's a low-stakes way to see which ideas resonate and which ones don't, long before you have to present anything to the entire committee.

Building Your Initial Bloc

Don't wait for someone else to start the conversation. Kicking off a working paper is a huge power move. It shows everyone you've done your homework, you have ideas, and you're ready to lead the discussion. Your research should be as solid as what you put into your Model UN position paper, giving you the confidence to put the first few clauses on paper.

The whole point is to turn a bunch of individual ideas into a team effort. At this stage, your working paper will probably include a few key things:

Defining the Problem: Just a clause or two outlining the specific issue your group wants to tackle.

Sketching Out Solutions: A simple list of actions you think the committee should take. These will eventually become your operative clauses.

The "Why": Some initial thoughts on why these actions are needed. These ideas often grow into the preambulatory clauses later on.

This document becomes the bedrock of your bloc. It's a tangible symbol of your shared vision and the first real step toward getting the rest of the committee on your side.

A working paper is less about getting the formatting right and more about building momentum. It’s the raw clay from which a resolution is molded, giving delegates a chance to build something together before it’s set in stone.

From Brainstorm to Cohesive Plan

As more delegates join your group, your working paper will start to transform. Ideas will be added, rephrased, and sometimes scrapped altogether. This messy, collaborative process is actually what makes the final resolution stronger.

Applying the principles of effective drafting even at this early stage can help bring order to the chaos. It ensures your group’s ideas are organized logically, creating a clear and compelling foundation for what comes next.

Success here isn't about writing the most brilliant clause yourself; it's about collaboration. The more delegates who feel they have a stake in your working paper, the better its chances of becoming the dominant draft resolution. It's the ultimate exercise in teamwork, turning scattered thoughts into a focused plan ready for formal debate.

The Draft Resolution: Getting Your Ideas on the Floor

Once the chaotic energy of caucusing starts to produce some solid ideas, it's time to formalize them. This is where your working paper evolves into a draft resolution. Think of it as moving from a brainstorming whiteboard sketch to an official blueprint. This is the document that the committee will actually debate, so it needs to be structured perfectly.

There's no room for error here. Unlike a working paper, a draft resolution must follow a very strict format. If it doesn't, the chair (the person running the committee) simply won't accept it. Every comma, every turn of phrase, has to be just right. This isn't just about being picky; the rigid structure is what allows for clear, organized debate on your bloc's big ideas.

The Anatomy of a Draft Resolution

Every draft resolution is built with two main sections, each with a distinct job to do. Grasping what each part does is the key to writing a resolution that is not just technically correct, but genuinely persuasive.

Preambulatory Clauses: These clauses provide the why. They set the scene, offering the background and justification for taking action.

Operative Clauses: These clauses are the what. They contain the specific, actionable solutions your group is proposing to solve the problem.

It's a bit like building a legal case. The "preambs" lay out all the history and precedent, establishing why the court needs to listen. Then, the "operatives" deliver the final argument, demanding specific actions and outcomes. For a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of formatting, our complete guide on how to write resolutions is a fantastic resource.

Preambulatory Clauses: Setting the Stage

Think of preambulatory clauses (or "preambs" for short) as the introduction to your argument. They don't suggest any new action. Instead, they remind everyone in the room about the context—past UN decisions, relevant international laws, or the core facts of the crisis at hand. Essentially, they build the case for why your resolution is so important right now.

Each preambulatory clause starts with a specific italicized word and always ends with a comma.

Common Preambulatory Starters:
Affirming the principles of the UN Charter,
Deeply concerned by the escalating humanitarian crisis,
Recalling its previous resolution 242 (1967),
Taking into consideration the reports submitted by the Secretary-General,

Using these phrases signals to the committee that your ideas aren't coming out of nowhere. You're showing them that your proposal is grounded in history, international law, and established precedent.

Operative Clauses: The Action Plan

If the preambs are the "why," then the operative clauses are the "what" and the "how." This is the heart of your resolution. These are numbered, action-focused statements that lay out the concrete steps your bloc wants the international community to take.

Each operative clause kicks off with a strong, underlined verb and ends with a semicolon (;), with one exception: the very last clause must end with a period (.).

Examples of Operative Clauses:

Urges all member states to increase humanitarian aid funding;

Calls upon the parties involved to resume diplomatic negotiations immediately;

Decides to establish a peacekeeping mission to monitor the ceasefire;

Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution within 90 days.

Once your bloc has drafted the resolution, you'll need a group of sponsors (the main authors) and signatories (other delegates who support debating the document, even if they don't agree with every point). After getting enough signatures, you can submit it to the chair. This is the moment your ideas officially enter the formal debate, ready to be challenged, defended, and ultimately, voted on.

Perfecting Your Proposal With Amendments

Let's be realistic: no draft resolution is perfect the moment it hits the floor. Once you enter formal debate, every delegate in the room will start picking it apart. This is where a critical document comes in—the amendment. Amendments are simply the tools you use to refine, improve, or even challenge a draft resolution during formal debate.

Think of it like editing a Google Doc with a hundred other people. Some changes are minor tweaks that everyone immediately agrees on. Others spark a full-blown debate and require a vote to settle. This process is absolutely essential for building consensus and making the final resolution as strong as possible. Without it, you’d be stuck in a stalemate, forced into a simple "yes" or "no" vote on an imperfect document.

Friendly vs. Unfriendly Amendments

Not all amendments are created equal. They fall into two main camps, and knowing the difference is crucial for navigating formal debate. Your entire strategy hinges on whether the resolution's authors are on board with your proposed change.

Friendly Amendments: These are changes that the original sponsors of the draft resolution actually like and agree with. Because the authors give their stamp of approval, the amendment is automatically added to the document. No vote needed. It's a fast, simple way to make common-sense improvements.

Unfriendly Amendments: This is what happens when you propose a change without the sponsors' consent. The authors either flat-out disagree with your idea or haven't taken a position on it. To get an unfriendly amendment included, you have to formally introduce it, debate it, and win a majority vote from the whole committee.

This split forces you to think strategically. Proposing a friendly amendment is a great way to show you're a collaborator. On the other hand, introducing an unfriendly amendment can be a powerful move to challenge a competing bloc's ideas.

How to Propose an Amendment

Whether you're trying to add a clause, delete one, or just change a few words, your formatting has to be spot-on. You'll need to grab an amendment submission form from the committee staff and clearly write down your proposed change. This usually means writing out the clause as it currently is, then showing exactly what you want to change it to.

An amendment isn't just a simple correction; it's a strategic maneuver. A well-timed amendment can bring opposing blocs together by finding common ground. A divisive one can expose the weaknesses in a rival proposal, completely changing the direction of the debate.

For instance, if you wanted to change an operative clause, your submission might look something like this:

Original Clause: "1. Requests the deployment of 5,000 peacekeepers;" Proposed Amendment: "1. Requests the deployment of a maximum of 2,500 peacekeepers;"

After you submit it and the chair approves it, your amendment will be debated and—if it's unfriendly—voted on. Getting good at this process allows you to shape policy directly, even if you didn't write the original resolution. It’s how every delegate gets a chance to help perfect the final outcome.

Achieving Consensus Through Mergers

Sometimes, the most intense debate in a Model UN committee isn't between opposing sides. It’s between two draft resolutions that are actually pretty similar. When multiple blocs have strong, well-written proposals on the floor, the whole committee can grind to a halt. The vote gets split, and nothing passes.

This is where the real high-level diplomacy kicks in: the merger.

A merger is the art of combining two or more separate draft resolutions into a single, stronger document. Think of it as a high-stakes group project where you suddenly have to collaborate with your biggest rivals. The whole point is to blend the best ideas from each proposal, creating one unified resolution that can easily get a majority vote.

This process is the ultimate test of your negotiation and compromise skills. It’s so much more than just cutting and pasting clauses. A good merger requires serious diplomacy to figure out which ideas take priority and how to word them so that everyone walks away feeling like they've won.

The Strategic Value of Merging

Pulling off a successful merger is one of the most respected skills in Model UN. It proves you can do more than just fight for your own ideas—it shows you can build bridges and guide an entire room toward a common solution. This is where all your hard work lobbying and negotiating really pays off.

If you're looking to build the kind of relationships that make a merger possible, it's worth taking a closer look at what lobbying is in MUN and how it works.

The benefits of a well-executed merger are huge:

Breaks Deadlock: It’s the single best way to get past a split vote and get the committee moving again.

Increases Passage Chance: A merged resolution comes with pre-packaged support from multiple blocs, making it far more likely to pass.

Creates Stronger Policy: When you combine different perspectives, you almost always end up with a more thoughtful and effective solution.

How a Merger Works

The magic really happens during unmoderated caucuses. This is when the sponsors of the competing drafts get together to find common ground. The first step is simple: figure out where your ideas overlap and what goals you share. From there, you'll go through each document, clause by clause, negotiating what to keep, what to scrap, and how to rephrase things.

A successful merger isn't about one side winning. It's about creating a document that allows every participating bloc to claim a victory. It’s the embodiment of collective problem-solving, turning competition into powerful collaboration.

Once everyone agrees on the new, combined text, it gets formatted as a brand-new draft resolution. This new document, which might be labeled something like "Draft Resolution 1.2," officially replaces the original drafts. It’s then brought back to the committee as a powerful symbol of unity and a clear path forward.

Resolutions: The Final Goal of Diplomacy

After hours of speeches, negotiations, and last-minute deals, the committee arrives at its ultimate destination: the resolution. This is it. This document is the culmination of everyone’s hard work—a set of solutions that has survived intense debate and managed to win over the majority of the room.

When a draft resolution passes a final vote, it officially becomes the committee's statement. It represents the collective will of the nations present and lays out a recommended plan of action. This is the moment a working paper’s rough ideas, sharpened into a formal draft, become a polished piece of policy.

Of course, Model UN resolutions aren't legally binding in the real world. But inside the simulation, they are everything. They are the tangible measure of diplomatic success.

The Journey to a Final Resolution

The path from a simple idea scribbled on a notepad to a passed resolution mirrors the entire diplomatic process. It's a journey that demands teamwork, strategic thinking, and a whole lot of compromise.

From Idea to Action: It all starts with informal working papers, where delegates float initial concepts, test the waters, and start building alliances.

Formalization and Debate: Those raw ideas are then structured into a formal draft resolution. This is when it gets real—the draft is put on the table for formal debate and tweaked through amendments.

Consensus Building: It's common for multiple competing drafts to emerge. Through a process of mergers, these can be combined into a single, more robust document with a much better chance of passing.

This evolution is the heart and soul of diplomacy. These very skills are incredibly valuable in the real world. The global conflict resolution market, valued at nearly USD 10.99 billion in 2025, is only expected to grow, highlighting just how critical these abilities are. You can explore more data on the value of conflict resolution solutions to see how these skills apply on a global scale.

A passed resolution is more than just a document. It's tangible proof that a diverse group of people can listen, negotiate, and find common ground on a complex global problem.

To make a real impact in Model UN, you need to master each stage of this process. Understanding how to build a resolution from the ground up is the key to success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Even after getting the hang of the basics, delegates often run into specific questions in the heat of committee. Let's tackle some of the most common ones that pop up about resolutions and procedure.

Key Document Distinctions

What’s the real difference between a working paper and a draft resolution?

Think of it this way: a working paper is the rough draft, the brainstorming session on a napkin. It’s an informal document with no strict formatting rules, designed for you and your allies to throw ideas around and see what sticks.

A draft resolution, on the other hand, is the formal proposal you present to the entire committee. It has to follow the rigid structure of preambulatory and operative clauses. This is the document that gets debated, amended, and eventually voted on.

So, the biggest difference is formality and function. Working papers are for building consensus; draft resolutions are for making decisions.

How many sponsors and signatories do I actually need?

This is one of those classic "it depends" questions, because the exact number changes from conference to conference. As a rule of thumb, you'll need at least one or two sponsors—these are the main authors who are fully committed to the resolution's content.

Then you'll need to gather signatories, who are delegates that simply want to see the document discussed, even if they don't agree with every point. The required number might be a specific count (e.g., 10) or a percentage of the committee (e.g., 20%).

Navigating Committee Procedure

Can we submit more than one working paper on the same topic?

Absolutely! It’s actually very common to see several working papers floating around the committee room at the same time. Each one usually represents the perspective of a different bloc or group of countries.

This is just part of the negotiation process. Different groups are exploring different solutions. The best-case scenario is that these competing papers eventually merge, combining the strongest ideas into a single, comprehensive draft resolution that a majority can get behind.

Ready to transform your ideas into an award-winning resolution? Model Diplomat acts as your AI co-delegate, assisting with everything from deep research and clause construction to crafting a winning strategy. Head into your next conference prepared and confident by visiting https://modeldiplomat.com.

A Guide to Every Type of Resolution in Model UN