The Art of the Perfect Opening Speech
Written by Pierre-Jean
Mun articles | strategy, july 16, 2019, action | argumentation | debate | hook | model un speech | opening speech | point | public speaking | rhetoric | speakers list | speech delivery.
That’s it. The moment you waited for. It could be your first conference or your tenth, but the first time you ever address your committee will always be a highly nerve wracking, and equally critical, moment for even the most experienced delegates.
Public speaking is a staple of Model UN. To become an expert speaker, every delegate has to ask themselves the same question: How can I improve my skills, and therefore my performance, while in committee?
First of all, you have to differentiate the two categories of committee speeches: the persuasive speech versus and the opening speech.
Opening speeches usually range from one minute to one minute and thirty seconds long and are presented to the entire committee. Their main purpose is for a delegate to present their specific position’s stance on the topic of the committee.
The framework for any public speech has remained the same since the rise and fall of Roman Republic: you will have to present a hook, a point related to the topic and a final call to action:
Any type of hook must tackle the ongoing issue in committee, while creating a keen interest for future policies and actions a delegate would like to take. You can choose from a large panel of rhetorical tools such as rhetorical questions, metaphors, jarring statistics, or sound bites to make your speeches more interesting to listen to. Other ideas could include an assertion or a reference to a striking historical event.
After the hook, the next step is to focus on the point you want to make. The point should account for the largest portion of your speaking time: this is your chance to change the flow of debate and establish yourself as a critical contributor to committee. Assert your position’s policy or opinion on the topic of committee. Be sure to use evidence or examples when discussing what your country or representative believes: whether you want it or not, you cannot throw the point you want to make without emphasis on facts. Tactics one could use include using statistics or comparisons, appealing to factual evidence, and using quotes from public officials to emphasize your country’s conviction on its particular stance.
Never “echo the sentiments” of a previous delegate; never regurgitate the same stale opinions that have already been voiced by all the speeches that came before you. Contribute something new: voice a perspective that hasn’t been represented yet, point out a weak spot in your opponent’s argumentation style, play the devil’s advocate, or bring up a new subsidiary issue within the topic of debate.
III. Action
What you will end your speech on is your call to action: do not reveal your entire set of solutions, but instead make it what closes the deal. The call to action aims to present how you will vote in future caucuses, as well as make it clear to those in committee who you will side with. By crafting an effective hook, using strong evidence, making your opinions clear to the committee, your opening speech can quickly make you the most coveted ally for others to have before the first caucus even begins.
At the end of the day, your opening speech will not make or break your ability to win an award in your committee. It’s an opportunity to make a good first impression and set yourself ahead of others for the first few committee sessions; that being said, putting too much pressure on the first speech can result in stuttering or a lack of confidence. The best, and only, thing to do is to give your first speech with confidence and a solid structure in order to start your committee performance off on a strong note.
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1. Practice and be prepared. Make sure you practice at least one day in advance. Print your opening speech - it's unprofessional to use an electronic device! Timing is especially important. You don't want to work hard on your speech only for the Chair to ask you to "come to your closing remarks.".
1. Hook. The beginning of a speech should grab your audience's attention. It should give your audience a reason to listen to you - otherwise they won't. An attention-grabbing introduction is often called a "hook.". There are many different types of hooks, but here are a few common ones that work well in Model UN.
This delegate's opening speech, unknowingly, tries to cover everything. The same can be seen in their call to action where the committee is created to do 5 separate things, which could each be an entire Call to Action in its own right. ... The delegate who best develops the idea, and pushes it the furthest over time, is the one who gets the ...
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Public speaking is a huge part of Model United Nations - but even experienced delegates can have a tough time with it! Using the MUN Institute Hook, Point, A...
For your next opening speech, try out the following recipe: - Pull your audience in with a thought-provoking question, anecdote or fact. - Highlight the importance of the topic, preferably linking with your future solutions. - State your country's position on the topic, express your priorities and set a foundation.
For example, Best Delegate High School could be assigned China and have different students representing China in the disarmament committee, the human rights committee, the development committee, and so forth. ... Opening Speech. The Opening Speech typically lasts about 1 minute or 1 minute and 30 seconds and is the first speech you give to the ...
raise their placards and wait for the Chair to call on them to speak. Each delegate typically gets 30 seconds to 1 minute to speak, and have to focus on the topic of the caucus. Public Speaking Structure One of the easiest way to organize your speeches in Model UN, especially for opening speeches, is to use the following three-part formula:
Avoid Filler Words and Jargon. "Comprehensive" "Multifaceted" "Three-Pronged" "Quasi" "Collaborative" You may recognize these as some of the most common Model UN "filler" words that almost every delegate has used at some time in their MUN career. I can't recount how many times I have heard a delegate give a minute-long ...
Opening speeches usually range from one minute to one minute and thirty seconds long and are presented to the entire committee. Their main purpose is for a delegate to present their specific position's stance on the topic of the committee. The framework for any public speech has remained the same since the rise and fall of Roman Republic: you ...
give speeches. These speeches are typically about the how each country feels about the topic, and range from 1-2 minutes long. The first time you speak on the speakers list is referred to as your opening speech. You should prepare this speech before the conference. After your first
The Best Position Papers: 1 - Show an Understanding of the matter at hand 2 ... Opening Speech. The opening speech should be your final step of the conference prep process. It's your first chance to astound both the other delegates and your dais and is more or less a summary of the most important facts squeezed into a minute-long speech ...
The Information rule of thumb is that every MUN speech should have at least one number. A number is harder to argue with and makes your speech stronger and more credible. "Their New York police force is large.". Vs. "There are 38,422 full time police officers in New York.". The second one clearly sounds stronger.
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Delegations have to prepare an Opening Speech. Additionally, each individual delegate will often be asked to make an opening statement during the first formal session of his or her respective forum. In preparing your Opening Speech, you must be aware that delivering an Opening Speech is a serious occasion. Whether you are the Ambassador, Head
Delegates Ages 11-18 By Best Delegate. ... Write an "Opening Speech" and practice it before the conference! Preparation is a critical part of any Model UN conference- you need to come prepared so you can deliver informed speeches, make strong arguments while negotiating, and write innovative and realistic ...
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Sample Opening Speech 1. Honorable Chair, Esteemed delegates. The delegate of ----------- is delighted to be part of the 12th annual SIMUN conference. He/she hopes that his/her fellow delegates will engage in relevant debates, in order to make this conference productive. Let's all take wise decisions after considering every resolution.
The purpose of this Delegate Guide is to help you, the delegate, and your MUN team prepare for your upcoming Model United Nations conference. It's important to prepare for MUN conferences because that's how you'll get the most out of your MUN experience. By preparing, you will learn how to research foreign policy, prepare speeches, and ...
delegates have to prepare an Opening Speech. Additionally, each individual delegate will often be asked to make an opening statement during the first formal session of his or her respective forum. You must be aware that delivering an Opening Speech is a serious occasion. Whether you are the Ambassador, Head of Delegation or a delegate in a
-Prepares an opening speech. To Be The Best Delegate. Read the case like it is your gold mine. Divide the case into categories/ issues at hand that relate to the council set topics. Highlight the main conflict, the secondary conflict, and other minor conflicts. Determine the key players, secondary players and other players. Determine THE BLOCS.