Current Topics
Policy Debate
Topic
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
September/October Topic
Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens.
Topic Analysis Video September/October
Topic Analysis Video - Affirmative Casing - September/October
Topic Analysis Video - Negative Casing - September/October
Public Forum Debate
September Topic
Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.
(433 schools voted for the September resolution.)
October Topic
Resolved: Developed countries have a moral obligation to mitigate the effects of climate change.
(410 schools voted for the October resolution.)
October Topic Analysis Video
Interp
For a list of the League's approved websites for online publishing sources in 2012-13, please click here.
Extemporaneous Speaking
September Topics
IX Practice Questions
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Has the United States done the right thing by not intervening in Syria?
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What are the greatest challenges facing Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi?
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Is the return of the PRI to the presidency good for Mexico?
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Are the sanctions against Iran working?
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Is Greece making adequate progress toward economic stability?
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To what degree is Islamic radicalism a threat to peace and stability in Africa?
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Should the US continue its use of drone warfare in Pakistan?
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Should China be considered politically stable?
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How should developing countries balance their demand for coal with environmental concerns?
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What is the significance of Russia joining the WTO?
September Topic Analysis Video
USX Practice Questions
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Did Mitt Romney make the right VP choice?
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What should President Obama’s campaign message be?
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Should a human mission to Mars be a priority for NASA?
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Would stricter gun control laws significantly reduce the risk of mass shootings?
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Does Romney or Obama have a better stance on Medicare?
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Can the Nexus 7 successfully compete with the iPad?
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Should we finally feel good about the US housing market?
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To what degree should hydraulic fracking be regulated?
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What should congress do to avoid the "fiscal cliff" waiting at the end of the year?
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Are political candidates wise to invest heavily in negative TV ads?
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.
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
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 may for a new slate of 2012-13 LD topics from 8/1/12 through 9/11/12.
Policy Debate
The NFHS Speech, Debate & Theatre Association handles , where each state organization, the National Forensic League, NCFL and NDCA all have voting privileges. Therefore, each chapter advisor may submit a ballot 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.