Modes of address
(From: Stein I. and Williams D. Instructional Guide, 10th Edition. The Hague
International Model United Nations, 1999)
All speeches should begin: "Mr. (or Madam) Chairman,
ladies and gentlemen of the house..."
All references to other speakers should be in the third person, e.g. points
of information should begin with a phrase such as: "Is the speaker aware
that..." and never: "Do you think..." and within a speech, a
speaker should not say: "Klaus, you said..." but: "As my (dear,
honorable) friend, Klaus, has told the house..."
Phrases to be used by:
1. Members of the house:
Mr./Madam Chairman...
I request the floor.
I wish to have the floor.
I rise to a point of information/point of order.
I wish to speak in favour of/against this motion/resolution/amendment because...
Is the Chair/the speaker (not) aware that..
Does the speaker (not) agree with me that..
The speaker stated in his speech...
Does he (not) realize that...
I yield the floor (to points of information).
I move to amend the resolution by striking/inserting/adding the words...
I urge the house to give me its support by voting for/against this motion/resolution/
amendment.
2. The Chairman:
The house will come to order/Will the house please come to order.
The chair calls upon X (the submitter) to read the resolution to the house.
The house has heard the resolution. Is there a second?
The Chair fixes a debate time of 10 minutes for and 10 minutes against the motion.
Mr. X has the floor.
All points are out of order until the speaker has concluded his speech.
The Chair recognizes Y. To what point do you rise? Please rise and state your
point (of information/order).
Will you please state your point in the form of a question.
The speaker appears not to have heard/understood your question.
Will you please repeat/rephrase your question.
Are there any further points on the floor?
Are there any further points of information to this speaker?
There's a point of order on the floor. Please rise and state your point. Your
point is (not) well taken.
Will the speaker please make his concluding remarks.
Debate time for/against the resolution/the amendment has been exhausted/has
expired.
Will the speaker please yield the floor. Debate time has expired.
The Chair proposes an extension of debate time by 5 minutes for and 5 minutes
against the motion.
The debate is now closed. We will move into voting procedures.
All points are out of order.
Does your point of order pertain to the conduct of the voting?
The motion will now be put to the vote.
Will all those in favour of the resolution/the amendment, please raise their
hands.
Will all those opposed to/against the resolution, please raise their hands.
Are there any abstentions?
Will all those abstaining, please raise their hands.