Student Debate Form

Student Debate Form

RULES OF PROCEDURE

Slightly adapted from Arizona MUN:

And Model UN: http//

Hints for Public Speaking

  • Remember, you are the representative from country X, not John or Jane Doe,
  • Closely observe the other speeches of representatives for ideas on improving your own speech and take notes on what characteristics of an effective speech are,
  • Have a paper or note card with the topics you want to address for quick reference,
  • Control your hands with smooth movements,
  • Begin your speech with: “Honorable Chair, Fellow Representatives,…” ,
  • Address yourself as “we” or “my government” and be conscientious to other Representatives’ national identities,
  • Know whom to yield the remainder of your time to (Chair, Points of Inquiry, other delegation).

Points of Order and other Motions

1 Point of Order The Chair will entertain a Point of Order when a Representative believes the committee is proceeding contrary to the rules. This motion should be used if a Representative’s ability to participate in the committee proceedings is impaired for any reason (“personal privileges”).

  • A point of order may interrupt a speaker,
  • A point of order will be recognized by the Chair and ruled upon immediately.

2 Point of Information After a delegate has given a speech informal debate, s/he may choose to yield his or her time to a point of information, a question another delegate raises concerning the speech.

  • Points of inquiry must pertain to the speech and asked in the form of a question,
  • Questions must be directed through the Chair,

3 Point of Inquiry When the floor is open, a delegate may move for a point of inquiry, in order to ask the chairperson a question regarding the rules of procedure.

  • This point may not interrupt a speaker,
  • This point must be directed only to the Chair.

4 Right of Reply The Chair may accord a right of reply to any representative if a speech by another representative contains unusual or extraordinary language clearly insulting to personal or national dignity

  • Requests for a Right of Reply cannot interrupt a speaker,
  • When requesting a Right of Reply, a Representative should send a note to the Chairperson,
  • The Chair’s decision is not subject to appeal,
  • There shall be no reply to a reply,
  • The Chair shall set the time limit of a “Right of Reply” and ensure the observance of diplomatic courtesy within the reply.

5 Appealing the Decision of the Chair Rulings of the Chair are appealable unless otherwise specified in these rules. The Chair may choose to change the ruling in question or,

  • The Representative raising this point will have a formal given time to explain his/her reasoning for the appeal,
  • The Chair will be given the equal amount of time to explain his/her ruling,
  • A second will be required,
  • A simple majority is required to override the Chair’s decision.

Effective Points of Inquiry (Rule 8.3)

A question can be used for more than just asking information. There are constructive and challenging questions and both have usefulness, if used diplomatically.

  • When agreeing to a point a representative has just made in a speech, one might want to underscore its significance and ask a question in agreement with that point.
  • One can add a point to their speech by asking about your subject in agreement with the speaker’s and setting him/her up to agree with you.
  • When in disagreement with a representative’s speech one might question the disagreeable point and present additional information to clarify.

Answering Points of Inquiry

A question can do more than just asking a question; it can be used to point out weaknesses in a plan or policy. Answering a question is just as well more than just a blunt reply. Remember, the refusal to answer a question yields your time back to the Chairperson. If you simply state, “That is a question I will not answer at this time”, you hold on to your time to answer points.

  • Your committee will be filled with delegations that can agree to your policies and interests and delegations that cannot. Expect to have to reply to a question from either side. Always be diplomatic.
  • When in agreement, thank the Representative for his/her “excellent” question and underline more of your or his policy to gather support.
  • Sometimes it can happen that one is presented with an issue one is not knowledgeable of. Tell the representative you will respond in writing.
  • Should one disagree with the point made by a representative’s challenging question, a simple but courteous correction and restating of relevant information and policies are in order to underline the points.

Other such challenging questions may stem from an unclear picture of the circumstances of events. An interpretation of their question relevant to your topic can be quickly followed by an answer to their question.

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