September/OctoberEducation
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
November/DecemberScience and Technology
Resolved: human genetic engineering is morally justified.
January/FebruaryEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: a victim's deliberate use of deadly force is justified as a response to physical abuse.
March/AprilInternational Relations
Resolved: the possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.
NationalsHealth and Medicine
Resolved: the United States government ought to provide for the medical care of its citizens.
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 seasonPolitics and Government
That the federal government should significantly increase social services to homeless individuals 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.