Physical and Oral Techniques to be an Effective Speaker by Iliad Nazari

In this article, I will be sharing key points to be an effective speaker in MUN. Let’s start!

1. Eye Contact

During most MUN meetings, one critical failure that most attendants make is that they forget eye contact.
Eye contact is essential for getting your point through. If your eyes wander or look straight down at your notes while you are presenting or debating, other delegates may not take your points as seriously and it will show a lack of confidence that will undermine your influence. Confidence is vital during MUN speeches and even more during moderated and unmoderated caucuses. If you can exert confidence during any of these activities, it will allow you to gain the trust and respect of your fellow attendees. Not only that, observing your opponents may tell you what they are going to do or say.

“Keep your eyes on the prize”

2. Body Language

Body language, like eye contact, is imperative to your presentation on the floor. While you are in the conference hall and either presenting your arguments or debating a fellow delegate, all eyes will be on you. And you must make sure all others understand the importance of your agenda. If you stand too stiff or don’t move while delivering your dialogue, it may show your lack of confidence, hence decreasing the value of your agenda.
At the same time, body language can be used to put emphasis on or even highlight certain parts of your dialogue and improve the quality of your speech. Bill Clinton is one of the best examples. Use your hand signs and gestures during the debate, and your given sentences will also indicate and connect to the grammar system of your spoken words.  Therefore, those ideas will present a  greater stance before others’ and make you one step ahead.

“I speak two languages, Body and English” 

3. Speech Tempo

Apart from the initial image you present, the way you speak is also crucial for your presentation. If you are to conduct your dialogue too quickly or with a rather monotone tempo, it may cause the audience and other delegates to either not understand or take you seriously.
While engaging in dialogues the words coming out of your mouth must be crystal clear. It should present the point you are trying to make accurately. Meanwhile, your intonation and the stress you put on your words must match the intensity and the temperament of your argument. Failing to do so may cause other members to lose interest. The vital point that you have got to know is, your tone will shape the rest of the conversation.

“Faster isn’t always better.” 

4. Vocabulary and Diction

The MUN floor is not a place for informalities. There are strict rules and guidelines on how you should conduct your speech. No man nor woman would like to see their represent or speak like someone from a back alley or a pub. The words we use to reflect on our education and competence. If you are to show that you are able to compete with and solve world issues, the words and phrases you are using must show that about you.

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” 

5. Temperament

Your personality and temperament are key for your fellow delegates and audience members to either love or hate you. The MUN meetings are conducted in a calm and civil manner. If you lose your temper and lash out at a fellow member, not only you will be impairing your stance with the delegate at hand, but you will also lose the respect of everyone else.
In the conference hall, there is no place for unacceptable behavior. This does not mean that you shouldn’t be somewhat aggressive or provocative sometimes, in order to secure your country’s policies. But you must understand that there is a time and place for everything. And to what degree you show these emotions may be a tipping point in your arguments.

“Not too hot, not too cool. Just right.” 

6. Provocation

In the world stage, every nation is looking out for their own interest first, then for the benefit of others, even more so if any nation is rivaled with another. You may not expect less from the delegate who is representing that nation.
A delegate may not take you seriously for a number of reasons and may push you into a corner. In civil discord, one must not lose their temper, but at the same time, being spineless isn’t a better option. Sometimes it is required to show that your rival is not standing on as a high aground as they believe. We have seen again and again that sometimes civil rivalry and even straight out disagreement may lead to a better and more inclusive solution.

“If you can’t join them, beat them.”

 

Iliad Nazari

Member of Content Producer Team