SeptemberPolitics 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
OctoberInternational Relations
Resolved: That the United States should comply with United Nations' decisions concerning international peacekeeping operations.
NovemberPolitics and Government
Resolved: That Federal judges should be elected in their district for a limited term rather than appointed by the President for a life term.
DecemberPolitics and Government
Resolved: Congress should repeal the No Child Left Behind Act.
JanuaryInternational Relations
Resolved: The United States is losing the War on Terror.
FebruaryScience and Technology
Resolved: Americans should be allowed to share copyrighted media over the internet.
MarchHealth and Medicine
Resolved: The United States should provide universal health care insurance to all U.S. citizens.
AprilSociety and Culture
Resolved: English should be the official national language of the United States.
NationalsPolitics and Government
Resolved: All young adults in every nation should be required to perform at least one full year of national service.
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/OctoberEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: in the U.S. judicial system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over privileged communication.
November/DecemberInternational Relations
Resolved: the U.S. has a moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts.
January/FebruaryEnvironment and Animals
Resolved: a government's obligation to protect the environment ought to take precedence over its obligation to promote economic development.
March/AprilEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: as a general principle, individuals have an obligation to value the common good above their own interests.
NCFL NationalsPolitics and Government
Resolved: a nation's citizens' rights ought to take precedence over its security.
NationalsPolitics and Government
Resolved: civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.
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
Resolved: That the United States federal government should establish an ocean policy substantially increasing protection of marine...
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.