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.)

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

May Practice Questions
Provided by Coach Todd Hering

IX

1. How does the potential use of chemical weapons change the conflict in Syria? 
2. Is it finally time for the US to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay?
3. Who looks the worst in the cash-to-Karzai kerfuffle?
4. What is the significance of the Kurdistan Workers Party’s (PKK) planned withdrawal from Turkey?
5. What is at stake in Iran’s upcoming presidential election?
6. What are the greatest challenges facing Kenya’s new President Uhuru Kenyatta?
7. How much of a threat does Boko Haram pose to stability in Nigeria?
8. Are the US and Mexico cooperating effectively to fight the illicit drug trade?
9. What are the prospects for the Arab League’s latest Middle East peace proposal?
10. Has Libya become a failed state?

USX

1. To what degree are tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombing preventable? 
2. What is the significance of NBA player Jason Collins coming out?
3. What can be done to make teacher evaluation programs successful? 
4. Should online sales be taxed?
5. Are Americans wise to accept less privacy for more public surveillance?
6. How is North Dakota being affected by its oil boom?
7. Why is isolationism on the rise among American voters?
8. Why does job growth remain sluggish in the US?
9. Why are Democrats worried about the implementation of Obamacare?
10. Are House Republicans in disarray?

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.