Should you script your speeches?
If you’ve seen speeches made in the actual UN, they are usually scripted and lengthy. However, MUNs are not the actual UN. MUN debates tend to be more similar to that of Parliament than the actual UN.
In Parliament, after the second reading of a bill, Members of Parliament (MPs) will get the chance to raise questions and debate about the bill. Proponents of the bill will also be given the chance to respond to questions and debate as well. This is done in a structured, moderated debate not unlike the GSL in MUNs.
I do not suggest scripting your speeches because MUNs tend to have quick-witted, back-and-forth debates, with the exception of Opening Speeches.
Not scripting your speeches ≠ No references prepared for the speech
Most experienced MUNners will bring their laptop to the floor. I also bring my laptop sometimes. Most of the time, I bring a scrap piece of paper. This is not scripting.
This is because I have a terrible memory, and I will blank out halfway without something to refer to.
- On my laptop, I usually have a “braindump” Google Docs document with a few lines of hastily written points I want to say. This is usually for solutions or ideas that I am introducing to the council.
- On scrap paper, I usually have main points that other delegates have raised, and my own responses to these points. My scrap paper therefore often looks like a messy mindmap. I will usually use a pen to write down ① ② ③ in the order I wish to raise these responses. I will sometimes write a phrase for a hook that I think of, or an impactful conclusion that I want to end my speech with.
- What I don’t do is read off a script. I don’t have time to write a script, nor do I find it useful for a discussion.
Think about a topic you are interested in. This could be your hobby, your passion, or even your favourite subject. If I asked you to explain it to me in one minute, I don’t think you need to script anything. If you know it well enough, you can talk about it on the spot.
I’m not saying that you’ll be a professional public speaker just because you’re talking about something you’re passionate about. That requires practice and training.
However, what I am saying is that with sufficient background knowledge, you can string together words to form coherent sentences about the topic, and contribute to the discussion. This requires research and, most importantly, time.
However, I am simply one (1) person with one (1) opinion. In the following two dropdowns, I give reasons supporting either case. Obviously, I am biased here, so keep that in mind when you make your own decision.
Here are some reasons why not to script your speeches:
- You can barely control your positioning in the GSL. The topic of discussion can easily change just five speakers down the GSL. Imagine you script your speech based on the discussion happening five speakers before your speech — and then the discussion morphs into something else by the time it is your turn.
- Motions can interrupt the GSL and drastically change the discussion topic. Both Moderated Caucuses and Unmoderated Caucuses will inevitably affect the flow of debate, and it is unlikely that your scripted speech remains relevant for long.
- Scripted speeches often lack the allure and authenticity of a conversational speech. Other delegates tend not to listen to speeches that are obviously scripted. The lack of eye contact and engagement that often comes with reading from a script (even if memorised) also contributes to the lack of active listeners.
- You signal to other delegates that you cannot think on the spot. Other delegates may not respect you. They may therefore not want to work with you or even take you seriously. They may not listen to you during Unmoderated Caucuses.
- You cannot feasibly script responses to unexpected Points of Information, GSL yields, or GSL speeches that the chairs make you do by their discretion. If you don’t join the GSL for a long period of time, the chairs may add you to the GSL by their discretion.
- You may not be able to contribute to Unmoderated Caucuses if all your content comes in scripted speeches. Unmoderated Caucuses are the pinnacle of impromptu discussions, and you will genuinely not be taken seriously if you read off a script during Unmoderated Caucuses.
- It takes time to time your speech to fit the 1.5-minute limit. Your speech may overrun if you don’t practise it beforehand, but practising your speech beforehand takes time, which you likely will not have in a MUN.
Here are some reasons to script your speeches:
- Scripting your speeches can give you the confidence to join the GSL. Especially if impromptu speeches scare you, I’d rather you script your speeches and join the GSL than not join the GSL at all.
- If written smartly, scripted speeches can be disguised as an impromptu speech. The illusion of quick thinking can be just as powerful as actually thinking quickly. This is a tool in public speaking that I use often — adding intentional pauses and fillers to make it seem like I am thinking on the spot, when in reality I have every single word scripted.
- Scripting your speech makes the content more likely to be accurate and correct, especially if you are unfamiliar with the topic. Speaking on the spot relies on knowing your content extremely well — if you are not familiar with the subject matter, it will be hard to make a convincing speech on the topic.