Model UN? More Like Three-Act Structure

Model U.N. members, does it ever feel like position papers are just too difficult to write? Do you feel this sense of looming dread the night before the deadline as you face that dizzying, yawning blank page on your screen? Setting out to write a position paper can often feel like an insurmountable task as you think of the hours of research to come and the utter vastness of the topic at hand. However, it’s all about how you look at it. 

It’s all about perception. Remember when Plato asked what a perfect chair was? Well, what’s a perfect position paper? Like Plato’s ideal chair, it doesn’t exist! However, we can arrive at an almost perfect position paper if we see it as a representation of the Platonic Idea of the three-act structure. Basically, the Model U.N. position paper is just a disguise for your typical storyline, and this fact is about to solve all of your problems.

The three-act Model U.N structure. Graphic made by author.

SETTING THE SCENE 

The conference is clearly the novel, play, etc. The committee is the genre. The members of your committee are side characters. Your country is the protagonist. And your topic is what we call the major dramatic question. The major dramatic question is the reason we have a three act structure: each act develops the question until it must finally be answered by the third act. 

Similarly to how, in Model U.N., the topic must be developed throughout the paper until ultimately addressed in the Solutions. As in any story, the question can be resolved in black and white; however, a nuanced and well-written story will typically answer more ambiguously with a yes but…, no but…, maybe if…, perhaps…, or perchance… To write the almost perfect position paper, remember to both answer and frame the topic as would a thought-provoking and emotionally complex novel with its major dramatic question. Your ideas should be unexpected, creative, and consider each aspect of the topic. There shouldn’t be one straight-forward answer to a global issue. 

ACT I 

Act I is the topic background. It’s the exposition. We’re holding our breaths. What is the topic? What are we getting into? How many issues is the paper planning to address? The exposition aims to establish the story: the main characters, the dynamics, the world everything will occur in. Approach your topic background like an exposition!

Take this example: “[Living conditions’ data] perpetuate a lack of educational opportunities, inability to access higher positions in the workforce, shorter life expectancy and inadequate health, and even an increasing crime rate. Why is this the case? The reason primarily roots itself in history and colonialism.” You must suddenly immerse your reader into the topic. Later on in the first act is the catalyst! The inciting incident! This throws the protagonist into a sweeping topsy-turvydom as he attempts to overcome this incident, which only leads to an increasingly dramatic situation. You can do this by elaborating on what you outlined in the exposition. This is our first plot point, announcing the end of Act I, and ensuring that life will never be the same again for the protagonist. The major dramatic question has officially been raised.  

ACT II 

Known as the rising action, this is practically identical to “U.N. Involvement” or “Previous Action.”  The protagonist is ultimately unable to resolve the problems throughout Act II because he has not yet acquired the skills needed to do so, nor has he fully understood who he is and what he can do. In your position paper, you must depict all past actions as this very strive—a relentless attempt to solve the problem, with certain advancements, but without any satisfying conclusion just yet. 

You want to leave the readers on the edge of their seats: “The Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) Code of Ethics set the base for ethical journalism. While it has been rather successful and is followed by thousands of journalists, there is no enforcement for it—the guidelines are entirely voluntary.” There has been action, but it isn’t enough. 

Act II also includes character development which is rarely independent and is often attained through side characters. In Model U.N., your country cannot achieve its goals without the help of others, hence what this section revolves around. This section will also allow us to shed light on the other actors in this issue.

ACT III 

Act III is the climax. It’s when the conflicts are at their most intense point, the major dramatic question must be answered, and, finally, the protagonist understands himself enough to be able to do so. As we establish Country Policy in the position paper, we are addressing the protagonist’s need to obtain full awareness of his identity in order to advance further. 

While the Côte d’Ivoire is forced to admit its distance from the Arctic concerning the issue of its melting ice and escalating military presence, it can nonetheless find other ways to contribute: “As the Côte d’Ivoire’s economy is considerably dependent on agriculture, the country is very perceptive of environmental concerns as this is increasingly affected by climate change. [...] The Arctic, as previously stated, has a key role in climate change; therefore, degradation to its environment nonetheless has an indirect impact on other countries around the world.” 

Once we understand who we really are, through Country Policy, we can begin to answer the question through Solutions: “The Côte d’Ivoire has already established a maritime single window system in the port of Abidjan [...] this system can inspire something similar in the Arctic that would increase transparency.” 

This newfound knowledge should not only clarify the daunting task of writing a position paper but grant you a perception of the paper—the representation of the three-act structure—that will get you a research award in your next conference! If it doesn’t, you can always try turning your position paper into a novella or play, and then you will have made art, which is always a valuable endeavor.

LFLA delegates on the three-act Model U.N structure.