Speaking During Moderated Caucuses
Model United Nations teaches us a great deal of skills: oration, cooperation, and creativity, to name a few. The Lead Delegate believes all these many skills can be encapsulated in one word: marketing. Marketing is the foundation of MUN, it is how resolutions are made and broken. Promoting ideas that solve world problems is quite a businesslike undertaking!
Think of Moderated Caucuses as the thirty-second soundbites of the MUN marketing world. You need to speak quickly, make a clear point that attracts attention, and then sit. Below, the Lead Delegate has provided in-depth advice on how to master Moderated Caucus speaking.
1.) Never use “I” when you represent a nation!
This is a common mistake made by many MUN beginners, and it is a tragedy that such a frequent error could be easily avoided if they simply read this blog. Use “we” instead, and when referring to other nations, it is grammatically proper to say “they” because all the nation delegations are considered plural. Even if “they” was incorrect, the Lead Delegate does not believe in archaic “they” grammar. In fact, the Lead Delegate has used “they” in an improper way several times on this blog.
2.) Be concise, unless you have a point to make…
In the Lead Delegate’s experience, Chairs look with distaste upon those who fully use all of their speaking time. Loquacious delegates drone on and on, and sooner or later, the audience ignores them. This is particularly true in crisis committees, when everyone will be so busy writing crisis notes that they will only pay attention to the most sharp, quick, and gripping speakers. However, when the time comes that you think it is necessary to go full Cicero and do a proper speech, then by all means, use up all of that speaking time.
3.) Make use of time yielding
One of the greatest tragedies of MUN is that many delegates, even many veteran delegates, never use any time yields besides “I yield my time to the chair.” C’mon delegates! Time yielding is helpful on so many levels. One, you can yield your time to another delegation, perhaps maybe to one of your allies or even to one of your rivals so they can explain themselves. Two, you can yield your time to questions. The Lead Delegate does this frequently when they are advocating for resolutions. Three, the Chair will be greatly pleased by your MUN knowledge and may reward you with am award. Make use of time yields — or else rival delegations will make use of you!
4.) Know your audience
If you haven’t read the Lead Delegate’s post called “Rallying the Herd,” then here is the summary: the members of a particular MUN committee can be divided put into one of three categories. First, Stray Herds, who are entertainment-craving and negligent of facts and statistics. Next, Headstrong Herds, who prefer facts, reason, and statistics to pomp and bravado. Finally, there are Balanced Herds, who are a clear mix of the two aforementioned herd types. Delivering speeches during moderated caucuses should revolve around catering to one of these “target markets.” As the Lead Delegate said, it is just like advertising!
5.) Use figurative language!
Too many moderated caucus speeches are bland and tasteless. They have no literary flavor, they are merely mechanical strings of words meant to communicate. The Lead Delegate has sat through entire committees without hearing a single metaphor, idiom, or simile. Such a tragedy! However, this is a tragedy that can be easily medicated. Use figurative language occasionally, it doesn't have to be elaborate, but it will make all the difference in your speaking.
Questions, Comments, Concerns?
As always, the Lead Delegate is on standby to read MUN questions in the comments section. If you are an Enloe student, contact the Lead Delegate directly in the main building.
