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
OctoberScience and Technology
Resolved: Private sector investment in human space exploration is preferable to public sector investment.
NovemberPolitics and Government
Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections.
DecemberEconomy and Work
Resolved: In the United States, current income disparities threaten democratic ideals.
JanuaryEducation
Resolved: The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits.
FebruaryPolitics and Government
Resolved: Birthright citizenship should be abolished in the United States.
Resolved: The United States should suspend all assistance to Pakistan.
AprilHealth and Medicine
Resolved: State mandated administration of childhood vaccinations is justified.
NationalsPolitics and Government
Resolved: Stand Your Ground laws are a legitimate expansion of the doctrine of self defense.
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/OctoberEnvironment and Animals
Resolved: Justice requires the recognition of animal rights.
November/DecemberEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.
January/FebruaryEthics and Philosophy
Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.
March/AprilInternational Relations
Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.
NationalsEconomy and Work
Resolved: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor 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
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its exploration and/or development of space...
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.