November/DecemberPolitics and Government
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/FebruaryCrime and Justice
That decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in criminal cases ought to reflect the values of the American people.
March/AprilPolitics and Government
Resolved: a parliamentary system of government would better fulfill the values underlying the American Constitution.
NationalsSociety and Culture
Resolved: when they are in conflict, the right to a free press is a higher priority than the right to a fair trial.
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 seasonEnvironment and Animals
That the federal government should implement a comprehensive long-term agricultural policy in the United States.
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.