What’s the Topic? Topic Areas and Rotation

Details on Public Forum Resolutions

Unlike Policy Debate, Public Forum has a series of month(s)-long resolutions (topics).  Each topic can be divided into two parts:

1. Topic Area: A general research area released prior to the school year.

  • In the Fall Semester, topic areas cover a two-month cycle.

  • In the Spring Semester, topics areas cover a one-month cycle.

  • Each resolution during the cycle will fall within the assigned Topic Area.

  • This IS NOT the resolution debaters affirm or negate.

2. Resolution: A specific premise that debaters affirm or negate.

  • In the Fall Semester, resolutions are on a two-month cycle.

  • In the Spring Semester, resolutions are on a one-month cycle.

  • Each resolution is announced one month prior to being debated.

  • For example, the resolution for March would be released on February 1st.

All Topic Areas / Resolutions can be found on the National Speech & Debate Association website

Topic Release (Calendar)

Summer: All topic areas and potential resolutions are released following the conclusion of the National Speech & Debate Association National Tournament.

  • Topic Areas are decided prior to the start of the school year and will not change.

  • The Public Forum Wording Committee assigns a set of two potential resolutions to each topic area.

  1. Early August: September/ October Resolution Released

  2. October 1st: November/ December Resolution Released

  3. December 1st: January Resolution Released

  4. January 1st: February Resolution Released

  5. February 1st: March Resolution Released

  6. March 1st: April Resolution Released

  7. May 1st: National Speech & Debate Tournament Resolution Released

Sample Resolution

Resolved: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization should substantially increase its defense commitments to the Baltic States.

  • The Topic Area (Europe) was released in June 2021.

  • The Resolution (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was released on August 8, 2021.

  • The word “should” indicates desirability.

    • The Pro side will argue NATO should INCREASE its defense commitments.

    • The Con side will argue that NATO should NOT increase its defense commitments.

  • There are NO PLANS. Each side must defend the resolution is generally (or on-balance) a good or bad idea.