Current Topics

Policy Debate

2012-2013 Topic
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.

2013-2014 Topic
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico, or Venezuela.

Policy Debate Resources »

Congressional Debate

Click here to download the 2013 HS National Congress Legislation Docket. Please note: There are no Alpha or Omega dockets; chambers set their agenda (order of business) prior to debating.

Extemporaneous Debate

Because this event is meant to be more extemporaneous in nature, topics for Extemporaneous Debate (formerly Supplemental Debate) will be published in round order in the 2013 Tournament Book, which coaches will receive during registration on Sunday, June 16.

Interpretation

For a list of the League's approved websites for online publishing sources in 2012-13, please click here.

Beginning in the 2012-13 academic year, submissions for online publishing sources must be received November 1 through March 1 for consideration the following academic school year. Submissions made after the deadline cannot be added to the list for use in competition until the following year. (The 2013-14 Online Publishing Source Application Form is now closed.)

Note: The new list for 2013-14 will be published after the conclusion of the National Tournament on June 22, 2013.

Interpretation Resources »

Storytelling

The 2013 National Tournament Storytelling theme is "Americana."

2013 National Tournament Extemp Areas

International Extemporaneous Speaking
• Africa
• The Americas
• ASEAN and Southeast Asia
• Asian Powers: China, India, Japan, and the Koreas
• A Contest of Ideas: The Struggle for Democracy
• Intergovernmental Organizations and Issues of Global Governance
• International Political Theory and Philosophy
• International Relations
• The Middle East
• Regional and Global Economic Concerns
• Russian and European Affairs
• U.S. Foreign Policy
• The World Next Week

United States Extemporaneous Speaking
• American Economic Concerns
• American Health: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act
• American Political Theory and Philosophy
• Education and Issues of Youth
• Judicial Issues
• President Obama’s Second Term
• The Race is On: American Elections
• Science, Technology, and the Environment
• The Social Laboratory: State and Local Politics and Policy
• The U.S. Budget
• The U.S. Congress
• U.S. Foreign Policy
• The U.S. Next Week

Extemporaneous Commentary
• Building with the BRICs
• The Business of America is Business
• Immigrants “R” U.S.
• Islam and the West
• Rethinking Public Education
• Tech Tools: Triumphs and Tribulations
• Untouchable Trio: Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
• The U.S. Civil War: 150 Years Later
• Washington’s Dealmakers and Dealbreakers
• You’ve Gotta Have Art

Extemporaneous Resources »

Extemporaneous Speaking

Each question is from a different nationals topic area:
Provided by Coach Todd Hering

IX

1. Is the government of Nigeria responding effectively to Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency?
2. How can Latin American nations better fight organized crime?
3. What barriers are preventing India from being a great power?
4. To what degree has Aung San Suu Kyi succeeded in Myanmar?
5. Is American-style democracy losing its global appeal?
6. Can European unity survive the economic crisis?
7. What should Iraq’s government do to address continuing sectarian violence?
8. Should central banks in developed nations continue quantitative easing?
9. Which nation poses the greatest threat to Europe’s economic future?
10. Who are the United States’ most important allies?

USX

1. Are higher minimum wage laws a good way to strengthen the economy?
2. What will be the most significant effects of the Affordable Care Act?
3. Are we living in an age of the “imperial presidency”?
4. To what degree should school choice be embraced in K-12 education?
5. What is at stake in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin?
6. How should President Obama use his second term to solidify his historical legacy?
7. What does the emerging US oil boom mean for the environment?
8. How should states reign in rising prison costs?
9. Is US federal budgeting too shortsighted?
10. Why are moderates being pushed out of congress? 

Extemporaneous Resources »

Topic Release Dates and Submitting Ideas
 

Public Forum Debate

During the last week of the month, each school advisor may log in to the National Forensic League Points Application and vote for one resolution to be used as the next topic.

Click here to submit Public Forum topic ideas.

August 15 — September Topic
September 1 — October Topic
October 1 — November Topic
November 1 — December Topic
December 1 — January Topic
January 1 — February Topic
February 1 — March Topic
March 1 — April Topic
May 1 — National Tournament Topic


Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Click here to submit Lincoln-Douglas topic ideas.

August 15 — September/October Topic
October 1 — November/December Topic
December 1 — January/February Topic
February 1 — March/April Topic
May 1 — National Tournament Topic

Chapter advisors were able to vote online for a new slate of 2012-13 LD topics from 8/1/12 through 9/11/12. (Voting is now closed.)


Policy Debate

The NFHS Speech, Debate & Theatre Association handles selection of the annual topic, where each state organization, the National Forensic League, NCFL and NDCA all have voting privileges. Therefore, each chapter advisor may cast their ballot online to the national office during September-October, ranking five preliminary topics. In November-December, each advisor then selects one of two final topics. The National Forensic League tallies and submits one vote to the NFHS, who announces the new topic in early January.