Topics For Debate Events, Extemp Categories, and Impromptu

For the 2025 Knight Invitational, we will be using the following topics for the following events:

*After consulting with students and coaches, we've decided that while there is novelty and value in using the new November/December topics for PF and LD, students also have had more time to refine their cases and arguments for the September/October topics (and as a result, may have a greater comfort level debating those topics). As such, we've decided to change over to the September/October topics for these two events only. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience, but we believe it does give everyone a more accessible and better quality debate experience.

Public Forum Debate (Varsity and Novice): September/October 2025 Topic – Resolved: The United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Varsity and Novice): September/October 2025 Topic – Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just.

Policy Debate: 2025-2026 Topic -Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.

Congressional Debate: From the Fall 2025 TFA Docket – We will use the Region 4 Congress Scaffold as follows: Prelims 16-20, Semis 26-30 (if needed), Finals 21-25

World Schools Debate: The following prepared motions will be used from the TFA November WSD Motions list. Rds. 1 and 2: This House would regulate artificial intelligence as a public utility. Rd. 3:Impromptu Motion. Semifinals (if needed): This House, as the EU, would ban member nations from importing Russian natural gas.. Finals: Impromptu Motion (if semifinals are held) OR This House, as the EU, would ban member nations from importing Russian natural gas. (if no semifinal round is held)

Extemp Speaking:

DX Prelims –The Judicial Branch, DX Semis/Rd. 2 –The Legislative Branch, DX Finals –The Executive Branch. These are all in reference to the federal government’s 3 branches of government.

IX Prelims –NATO, IX Semis/Rd. 2 –OAS, IX Finals –UN. These are all in reference to international bodies/organizations.

NX Prelims –International News, NX Semis/Rd. 2 –U.S. News, DX Finals –The U.S. and World Economy.

Impromptu Speaking:

Rd. 1 – Serious Quotes

Rd. 2/Semifinals – Funny Quotes

Finals - Apps