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: the public's right to know is of greater value than the right to privacy of candidates for public office.
January/FebruaryPolitics and Government
Resolved: when called upon by one's government, individuals are morally obligated to risk their lives for their country.
March/AprilEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: terminally ill patients have the right to die when and how they choose.
NationalsEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: when in conflict, protection of the innocent is of greater value than prosecution of the guilty.
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 seasonHealth and Medicine
That the federal government should guarantee comprehensive national health insurance to all United States citizens.
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.