Whole seasonInternational Relations
NSDA by season
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
January/FebruaryPolitics and Government
Resolved: nothing is politically right that is morally wrong.
March/AprilEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: a just social order ought to place the principle of equality above that of liberty.
NationalsSociety and Culture
Resolved: the American media works against the best interest of the American public.
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 seasonEconomy and Work
That the federal government should provide employment for all employable U.S. Citizens living in poverty.
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.