District I Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking Prelims

1.         Why is Ken Paxton such a controversial political figure in Texas?

2.         Haiti: What caused the collapse of civil order in the country?

3.         What is the basis for criticism of President Biden’s immigration policy?

4.         Who are the more influential leaders in the Middle East today?

5.         Mitch McConnell: What has been his legacy in Congress?

6.         What has the Ukraine war revealed about new Russian weapons capabilities?

7.         What is the extent of wildfire damages sustained by Texas in 2024?

8.         What were the highlights of President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address?

9.         What are the controversies associated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán?

10.       What impacts is the world still experiencing from the coronavirus pandemic?

11.       What has the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny indicated to the world?

12.       How are major college athletic programs affected by NIL payment programs?

13.       How will Sweden’s entry into NATO change the security situation in the Baltic region?

14.       What does the future hold for standardized college-level entrance exams?

15.       What was the significance of the Odysseus Moon mission?

16.       What do we know about the collapse of the Frances Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore?

17.       Why is the Justice Department suing Apple?

18.       Why is credit card debt currently on the rise among U.S. middle class households?

19.       How is China driving America’s expanded engagement with Africa? 

20.       What are we expected to experience and learn from the total solar eclipse crossing North America?

Informative Speaking Finals  

1.         What is known about Isis-K?

2.         What are positive changes that have resulted from the global pandemic?  

3.         What is SpaceX’s Starshield?

4.         What actions has the United States taken in response to the Haitian crisis?

5.         What has been revealed about the origin of the Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas Panhandle?

6.         What steps are President Biden’s re-election planners taking to attract young voters?

7.         Why do outbreaks of violence and instability continue in western states of Africa?

8.         What impact could Texas Senate Bill 4 have on U.S. immigration policy?

9.         How have the volcanic eruptions in Iceland impacted their tourist industry?

10.       Why did the United States classify Houthi militants as a terrorist organization?

11.       What has caused delayed financial aid packages impacting prospective and current college students?

12.       Why does the number of Sudanese refugees continue to grow at an alarming rate?

13.       What problems are associated with the Boeing 737 Max aircraft?

14.       What challenges are being addressed by the Mercy Corp in the Middle East?

15.       What states are home to the highest minimum wages in the country?

16.       Why is China being accused of cyberespionage campaigns?

17.       What would be required to get different Palestinian factions to unite under one government?

18.       What challenges currently face the countries of Central America’s Northern Triangle?

19.       With unemployment decreasing and the economy growing, why do many Americans believe we are in a bad economy?

20.       What concerns are being faced due to the global water crisis? 

Persuasive Speaking Prelims

1.         Should Vladimir Putin be held accountable for the death of Alexei Navalny?

2.         Is the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to determine the safety of drugs being undermined?

3.         Is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu becoming increasingly more unpopular on the world stage?

4.         Will the EPA’s raising of car emission standards increase the sale of electric vehicles?

5.         Have global nations agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade?

6.         Can President Biden’s proposed economic agenda save the middle class?

7.         Has India’s economy become one of the most dominant in the world?

8.         Does Mitch McConnell have a high level of influence among his Senate Republican colleagues?

9.         Is Gaza mired in a human rights catastrophe?            

10.       Are partisan political divisions in Texas becoming more pronounced?

11.       Is federal government regulation of social media platform content justified?

12.       Is El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele becoming a dictator?

13.       Are Texas lawmakers dragging their feet when it comes to public school finance?

14.       Were Pakistan’s most recent parliamentary elections marred by scandal? 

15.       What must America do to restore stability in Haiti?

16.       Will Ted Cruz face a major challenge from Colin Allred in the 2024 Senate race?

17.       Is Venezuela experiencing an increase of repression under their current president?

18.       Is NATO attempting to isolate Russia?

19.       Does the “left-wing” of the Democratic Party have issues with President Biden’s Middle East policy?

20.       Has Zimbabwe’s government failed to deal adequately with the country’s cholera outbreak?

Persuasive Speaking Finals

1.         Crime, healthcare and the economy: Was America better off four years ago?

2.         Should China own TikTok?

3.         Are state and federal officials in a showdown over immigration issues in Texas?

4.         Is cancellation of student loan debt in the best interest of the American middle class?

5.         Is climate change having a major impact on global weather conditions?

6.         Are concerns about the current uses of artificial intelligence warranted?

7.         Should the United States take significantly more action to increase the use of nuclear energy?

8.         Is the United States currently competing with China for diplomatic influence in Africa?

9.         Do a majority of the Democratic Party have full confidence in President Biden’s ability to serve as president another four years?

10.       Did ISIS – K or Ukraine conduct the recent terrorist attack on a concert hall in Moscow?

11.       Are the broad departures of Boeing’s management executives linked to safety crises?

12.       Will recent changes made by the Bank of Japan be beneficial for the average Japanese citizen?

13.       Should standardized tests be a substantial component of college acceptance criteria?

14.       Will Sweden’s acceptance into NATO enhance security in that region of the world?

15.       Should all elementary school students in the United States be required to have measles vaccinations?

16.       Is China guilty of cyberespionage?

17.       Does plastic waste contribute in a significant way to environmental degradation?

18.       Has Mexico’s President Obrador successfully implemented meaningful reform programs in his country?

19.       Do MAGA Republicans have substantial influence on the current direction of their political party?

20.       Can a strong bilateral security partnership between the U.S. and Iraq be achieved?