Points
A point is a short question or procedural intervention. First decide what you need: a question for a speaker, an explanation of the rules, a factual clarification or a correction of procedure. A delegate must wait to be recognised by the Chair.
How it works
- Wait until the speaker has finished, unless you genuinely cannot hear them.
- Raise your placard when the Chair invites the relevant points.
- After recognition, make your question short and precise.
- Listen to the answer or ruling, then allow debate to continue.
Point of Information to the Speaker
A Point of Information to the Speaker is asked after their speech, only if they agree to accept questions. The Chair calls on delegates with raised placards. A POI is a genuine question, not a second speech or an opportunity to argue.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
Use a Parliamentary Inquiry to ask about the Rules of Procedure. It is directed to the Chair, not the speaker. In the THIMUN 2026 guidance this type of inquiry is normally sent to the Chair by note.
Point of Order
A Point of Order identifies a procedural error that has just happened. It is not debatable, cannot interrupt a speaker, and cannot be used to disagree with a policy argument. The Chair explains the ruling.
Point of Personal Privilege
Personal Privilege concerns comfort and the ability to participate: audibility, temperature or other practical conditions. Most concerns should be sent to the Chair without interrupting; audibility is the exception.
Point of Information to the Chair
Use this point for a factual or agenda-related clarification from the Chair. It is not a question about procedure and should not invite the Chair's personal political opinion.
Common mistakes
- A POI is a question, not another speech.
- A Point of Order cannot interrupt and must concern something that just occurred.
- Follow-up POIs vary by conference: the THIMUN 2026 manual allows rare Chair-approved follow-ups, but DIAMUN guidance may be stricter.