Whole seasonSociety and Culture
Lincoln-Douglas
One-on-one debate built around values: each side defends a value and a criterion for weighing it. The resolution changes every two months. How Lincoln-Douglas works
Whole seasonEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: the right to die takes precedence over other ethical and moral considerations.
January/FebruaryPolitics and Government
Resolved: funding for human services programs should take precedence over a balanced budget.
March/AprilEnvironment and Animals
Resolved: protection of the environment should take precedence over the development of natural resources.
NationalsPolitics and Government
Resolved: Liberty is more precious than law.
Policy
Two-on-two debate on one resolution for the whole season. The affirmative proposes a plan and both sides use a lot of evidence. How Policy works
Whole seasonInternational Relations
That the United States should significantly curtail its arms sales to other countries.
About NSDA topics
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is the largest high school speech and debate organization in the United States. It publishes the resolutions that US tournaments use each season: a new Public Forum topic every month or two, a Lincoln-Douglas topic every two months, and one Policy topic for the whole year. Its National Tournament in June has its own topics.
Resolutions from NSDA's topic page, credited to the National Speech & Debate Association. NCFL Nationals topics are from the National Catholic Forensic League tournament, as listed by NSDA.