National Tournament Topics 2023

High School Policy Debate

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity.

High School Public Forum Debate

TOPIC AREA: Civics

Resolved: The United States should adopt ranked-choice voting for its federal elections.

A total of 827 coaches and 2,366 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 56% of the coach vote and 54% of the student vote.

High School Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Resolved: Government employees have a moral obligation to leak classified information to address injustice.

A total of 830 coaches and 2,295 students voted for the resolution. The winning resolution received 41% of the coach vote and 39% of the student vote.

Big Questions Debate

Resolved: Humans are primarily driven by self-interest.

High School Congressional Debate

Download the 2023 high school docket containing preliminary, semifinal, and final round legislation (updated 05/15/2023).

High School World Schools Debate

(listed in round order)

• Round 1: This House believes that the increase in usage of artificial intelligence in the workforce is more beneficial than harmful.
• Round 2: This House believes that the increase in usage of artificial intelligence in the workforce is more beneficial than harmful.
• Round 3: Impromptu
• Round 4: This House would establish a permanent host city for the Winter Olympics and a permanent host city for the Summer Olympics.
• Round 5: Impromptu
• Round 6: Impromptu
• Round 7 (Triple Octafinals): This House believes that parliamentary systems are preferable to presidential systems in democracies.
• Round 8 (Double Octafinals): This House regrets the rise of nihilism in pop culture.
• Round 9 (Octafinals): Impromptu
• Round 10 (Quarterfinals): Impromptu
• Round 11 (Semifinals): Impromptu
• Round 12 (Finals): This House supports a people’s democratic right to secede.

High School International Extemp Topic Areas

(listed in round order)

• Round 1: Global Health
• Round 2: Central and South Asia
• Round 3: North America and the Caribbean
• Round 4: Militaries and Armed Conflicts
• Round 5: East and Southeast Asia
• Round 6: Africa
• Round 7: International Economics
• Round 8: Central and South America
• Round 9: Global Human Rights
• Round 10: Europe
• Round 11: Southwest Asia and Northern Africa
• Round 12: International Diplomacy
• Round 13: Environmental Issues

High School United States Extemp Topic Areas

(listed in round order)

• Round 1: Education
• Round 2: Legislative Branch
• Round 3: Arts, Entertainment, and Society
• Round 4: U.S. Foreign Policy
• Round 5: Entitlements and Health Care
• Round 6: Racial Justice
• Round 7: Environment and Energy
• Round 8: The Executive Branch
• Round 9: Science and Technology
• Round 10: The First Amendment
• Round 11: The Judicial Branch
• Round 12: U.S. Economics and Business
• Round 13: The U.S. Next Week

High School Extemporaneous Debate

Tournament officials post the resolution to be debated for each round 30 minutes prior to the start of flight A. Each resolution will address one of the following topic areas (listed in alphabetical order).

• Arts and Culture
• Economics
• Education Policy
• Environment and Conservation
• The First Amendment
• Governmental Structure
• Health and Wellness
• High School Student Life
• International Policy
• Media
• Personal Freedom
• Social Culture/Movements
• Sports
• Technology
• Transportation

High School Extemporaneous Commentary Round Themes

(listed in alphabetical order)

• Four Corners – Points of agreement and cooperation in pop culture, politics, etc.
• Go West, Good People – Current events and innovation based in the western United States
• It’s a Dry Heat – Issues of climate change and environmental protection
• Location, Location, Location – Areas of conflict around the world
• Purple, Purple Everywhere – Polarized politics in the United States
• The Right to Remain Silent – Crime and criminal justice issues
• To the Moon – [NASA trains in northern Arizona] Returning to the moon, space travel, the solar system

High School Impromptu Round Themes

(listed in alphabetical order)

• 48th – [Arizona is the 48th state] Items that rank 48th on lists
• A Phoenix Rising – Mythology and mythological creatures
• Oasis in the Desert – Illusions, relief during a crisis, respite during conflict
• Peanut Farming – The professions and projects of past presidents
• Petrified Forests – Issues of climate change and environmental protection
• Prickly Pairs – Famous frenemies in pop culture, politics, etc.
• Ride the Rodeo – Cowboys, horses, western culture
• To the Moon! – [NASA trains in northern Arizona] Returning to the moon, space travel, the solar system

High School Storytelling

Students competing in Storytelling may use any theme/topic area.