A resolution is broadly divided into three parts: the subject, the preambulatory clauses and operative clauses. The subject simply refers to the UN body that is issuing the resolution.
Preambulatory clauses come next. Preambulatory clauses provide a context and background to a resolution. Preambulatory clauses often highlight key issues regarding the resolution topic, confine the purpose and scope of the resolution as well as to draw attention to other organisations, conferences, events or previous resolutions that have addressed the resolution topic. Preambulatory clauses may also express the general sentiment and purpose of the resolution. For example, a resolution on child soldiers might say, “Appalled by the recruitment of children into the armed forces and their engagement in violent conflict.”Preambulatory clauses often begin with declaratory verbs (usually ending with “ing”) like “recognising” or “acknowledging”. Usually, at high school Model UN events, perambulatory clauses cannot be altered.
Operative clauses can be understood as “action clauses” in the sense that they often suggest initiatives or steps that the member states and UN programmes and funds should take in order to address or solve the issues identified in the preambulatory clauses. For example, an operative clause in a resolution about child soldiers might read, “Urges member states to make the recruitment of children under the age of 16 in the armed forces illegal.” Try to avoid using verbs that attempt to “force” member states to take a particular action, particularly if it is a General Assembly resolution which does not have binding legal force. Examples include, “demands” or “requires”. Operative clauses give a resolution its “teeth” because they propose “actions” to be taken.
At the end of each preambulatory clause there is a comma; at the end of each operative clause there is a semicolon and the last clause ends with a full stop. Operative clauses must be numbered and clauses may be divided into sub-clauses labelled a), b), etc.