October/NovemberPolitics and Government
NSDA by season
Public Forum
Two-on-two debate on a current-events resolution that changes every month or two. Each speech is short and the round is meant to be followed by any listener. How Public Forum works
DecemberEconomy and Work
Resolved: The "Bush" tax cuts should be made permanent.
JanuaryEnvironment and Animals
Resolved: The Federal Government should authorize oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve.
FebruaryCrime and Justice
Resolved: The death penalty should be abolished in America.
MarchEducation
Resolved: Affirmative action should not be practiced in college and university admission.
AprilHealth and Medicine
Resolved: Awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases should be limited to $250,000.
NationalsPolitics and Government
Resolved: That the United States should assume primary responsibility for the rebuilding of Iraq.
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
September/OctoberInternational Relations
Resolved: when the United States is engaged in military conflict, the demands of national security ought to supersede conflicting claims of individual rights.
November/DecemberEducation
Resolved: when in conflict, academic freedom in U.S. high schools ought to be valued above community standards.
January/FebruaryEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: when in conflict, globalization ought to be valued above national sovereignty.
March/AprilEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: when in conflict, the letter of the law ought to take priority over the spirit of the law.
NCFL NationalsEconomy and Work
Resolved: capitalism is the most just economic system.
NationalsCrime and Justice
Resolved: rehabilitation ought to be valued above punishment in the U.S. criminal justice system.
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 United States federal government should substantially increase public health services for mental health care...
Shortened here. The full wording is on NSDA's topic page.
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.