Plagiarism
What is Plagiarism in an IMUN Resolution?
PLAGIARISM is the illegal and unethical use of source material claiming that another's words or thoughts are your own.
The question often arises as to the ethics or acceptability of "lifting" words, phrases, or complete thoughts either from the resolutions of other delegates (in this conference or others) or from actual United Nations resolutions.
The following standards will be followed at IMUN:
1.Under no circumstances is it permitted to use another delegate's resolution or significant portions thereof and pass them off as one's own.
2.There are expressions that are common to many resolutions. For example, the clause "Decides to remain seized of this matter" is not one that the average person would never use but it is the standard, accepted expression in the UN and MUN resolutions. Use of such a clause or even several clauses that "precisely and accurately reflect" (THIMUN Instructional Manual) a delegate's country policy would not constitute unacceptable "borrowing."
3.However, when significant portions of a resolution have been copied verbatim to the extent that the substance of the resolution cannot reasonably be construed as original to the delegate, the "borrowing" has crossed the line into plagiarism and it is appropriate to rule the resolution out of order.
4.It is always a difficult judgement call as to what constitutes "significant." There is no absolute standard for such a judgment. The decision on whether a resolution is "in" or "out" of order is solely and completely the chair's discretion at the time the resolution comes up for debate. The chair may consult with the President of the General Assembly as s/he deems appropriate. However, the decision of the chair is final.
Life of a Resolution
1.Delegate arrives in computer room with Resolution cover sheet.
2.Delegate puts resolution into system.
3.Once the resolution has been completed, and several copies have been
printed, the resolution cover sheet is attached to resolution.
4.Taken into Approval Panel. If resolution is rejected, the delegate repeats
steps 1-3.
5.Approved and signed
6.Taken back to registration and given an 'A' number
7.Resolution is then read and selected by the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary- General for debate.
8. Resolution is then taken to registration staff and given a 'P' number.
9. Passed resolutions are posted on this internet site on Thursday evening,
November 9th.
Progress of a Resolution
1.Announce the issue number and read the question (i.e. the next resolution is
issue 3 and the question is...)
2.Call up the 1st co-submitter of the resolution to read the operative clauses.
3.The 1st co-submitter reads the operatives.
4.When the operatives are finished, Chair says "We'll now go into 1 hour open debate for this resolution. Speaker you have the floor." The Co chair starts the stopwatch (obviously the speaker should not speak for 1 hour but yield the floor to other delegates).
5.After the hour of debating the resolution is up (excluding any amendment time) the Chair says "Time has elapsed. We will now move to voting procedures". If the voting is by placard, ask the admin staff to take their voting stations.
Criteria for Evaluating a Resolution
1. Format:
Ensure that the resolution is in the proper format. A resolution must be one long sentence. There can be no sentences internally.
Preambulatory clauses typically begin with words with "ing" suffixes or occasionally with words with "ed" suffixes. Preams give the reasons for the countries' policy. Preams must end with a comma (,).
Operative clauses begin with an action verb and represent the policy portion of the resolution. Each operative ends with a semicolon. Listings within the operative must be parallel in structure.
2. Mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc.)
Spelling may be either American or British standard but should be consistent within the resolution. Remember that many-- if not most--of the students are not native speakers of English.
3. Logical Consistency
Ensure that the resolution "hangs together" logically. A resolution should not have preambulatory clauses "emphasizing national sovereignty", for example, while calling for a mandatory ICC in the operatives.
Preambulatory Clauses:
Deeply regretting
Expressing its appreciation
Expressing its satisfaction
Further deploring
Further recalling
Guided by
Operative Clauses:
Accepts
Affirms
Approves
Authorizes
Calls
Calls upon
Condemns
Confirms
Congratulates
Considers
Declares accordingly
Deplores
Designates
Draws the attention
Emphasizes
Encourages
Endorses
Express its appreciation
Express its hope
Further invites
Further proclaims
Example of a Resolution:
(Note: IMUN does not require delegates to number each sentence of the resolution)
Page X of Y
QUESTION OF: Strengthening U.N. Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
CO-SUBMITTERS: United Kingdom, Mexico, Benin, Brazil, Canada
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity,
equality, and inalienable rights of all global citizens,
USE COMMAS TO SEPARATE PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES & UNDERLINE THE FIRST WORD OR PHRASE
Reaffirming resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages
governments to work with established U.N. bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance,
Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant U.N. bodies and
Non-Governmental Organizations,
1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate
more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carry out of relief efforts;
USE SEMICOLONS TO SEPARATE OPERATIVE CLAUSES & UNDERLINE
THE FIRST WORD OR PHRASE & NUMBER EACH OPERATIVE CLAUSE
2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the U.N. Department of Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;
3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;
4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donation from the private transnational sector to aid in the funding of rapid deployment forces.
END RESOLUTION WITH A PERIOD
