Invitational A Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking Prelims

1. What is the National Defense Authorization Act?
2. Why is Somalia currently experiencing high levels of political instability?
3. What were the leading international news events of 2011?
4. In what ways has the United States responded to the ongoing violence in Syria? 
5. Why were the results of the Iowa caucus so close and what will this mean for Republican presidential candidate hopefuls?
6. Why is Argentina’s President Cristina Kirchner enjoying high levels of popularity among her nation’s citizenry?
7. In terms of U.S. foreign policy, what has President Obama accomplished since taking office?
8. What factors are contributing to substantial population growth in Asia?
9. What have been the primary objectives of the Occupy Wall Street movement?
10. As Mariano Rajoy assumes office as the new prime minister of Spain, what challenges does he face?
11. What factors are contributing to increased debt levels facing U.S. college graduates?
12. A new era in the Mideast: What changes came about in 2011?
13. What sectors of the U.S. economy are expected to experience economic growth during 2012?
14. Japan: What challenges does this nation continue to face due to last year’s earthquake and tsunami?
15. What key issues are Republican presidential contenders raising with constituents?
16. What has Hillary Rodham Clinton achieved as U.S. Secretary of State?
17. How are states faring in meeting No Child Left Behind requirements?
18. What factors are contributing to elevated levels of violent crime in Mexico?
19. What major obstacles will face President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign team?
20. Solar and wind energy production: In what ways do these contribute to the economic growth of Texas?

Informative Speaking Finals

1. How are real estate woes impacting China’s broader economy?
2. What factors are contributing to political gridlock in Washington, D.C.?
3. Kim Jong Il: What legacy did he leave?
4. Why has deportation of foreign nationals dramatically increased under the leadership of President Obama?
5. What are the latest developments in terms of U.S. diplomatic relations with Colombia?
6. Which of the presidential candidates is most heavily targeted by negative campaign ads?
7. What are the fundamental causes of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians?
8. What have investigators determined about recent arson-related fires in the Los Angeles area?
9. In what ways will the United States continue to assist Iraq following withdrawal of military forces?
10. What are the latest details regarding the New York SAT cheating scandal?
11. What do European members of the eurozone gain through participation?
12. What secrets can Iran learn from the recently intercepted U.S. drone?
13. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current United States economy?
14. Why does Argentina maintain an interest in the Falkland Islands?
15. Two Texans: How do the politics of Ron Paul and Rick Perry differ?
16. Why has Vladimir Putin become a popular target among Russian protestors?
17. In what ways have state-level budget cuts affected Texas public schools?
18. Which areas of Africa are most seriously affected by drought conditions?
19. How would acquisition of a nuclear weapon by Iran alter the security of the Middle East?
20. How does the International Monetary Fund promote development in remote regions of the world?

Persuasive Speaking Prelims

1. Are serious human rights violations occurring in Egypt?
2. Is it time for the U.S. Postal Service to be privatized?
3. Are individual rights being violated in an effort to promote airline security?
4. Should cell phone use in automobiles be restricted by law?
5. Is Iran on the verge of causing a Middle East arms race?
6. Can plans for the Eurozone recovery succeed in rescuing the failing currency?
7. Should Americans fear the new National Defense Authorization Act?
8. Are diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the United States on shaky ground?
9. Do major Texas cities face infrastructure concerns?
10. Is Rick Santorum capable of beating Barack Obama in the November presidential election?
11. Can Spain’s new leader, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, capitalize on his mandate for change?
12. Should low-performing public schools be replaced with privately-run charters?
13. Has development of natural resources in sub-Saharan Africa caused serious environmental damage?
14. Do minimum wage increases help promote economic growth in the United States?
15. Has President Obama made good on his 2008 campaign promises?
16. Are austerity programs failing in Latin America?
17. Is Malaysian criticism of Australia’s immigration policy warranted?
18. Will the U.S. economy be the single most important issue in the 2012 presidential election?
19. Are water shortages a major concern for Texas farmers and ranchers?
20. Will tobacco companies’ free speech lawsuit concerning cigarette warning labels hold up in court?

Persuasive Speaking Finals

1. Would it be a mistake for the United States to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014?
2. Obesity and Diabetes: Will this American generation be the first to not outlive their parents?
3. Will ongoing security threats in Iraq render sovereignty in the nation meaningless?
4. Has international terrorist activity been on the decline since President Obama took office in 2009?
5. Is the gap between wealth and poverty in the United States growing?
6. Was the decision by the United States to station troops in Australia a strategy designed to check the rising power of China?
7. Is too much media attention given to the Iowa caucus?
8. Should the United States maintain a peacekeeping force in Uganda?
9. Will the scandals at Penn State and Syracuse change college sports?
10. Is political dissent threatening or promoting stability in the Persian Gulf region?
11. Has the combination of drought conditions and the state of the national economy caused irreparable damage to the Texas agriculture industry?
12. Distance learning: Is it an effective way of earning a college education?
13. Did NATO play a major role in the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya?
14. Is violent crime on the decline in Houston, Texas?
15. Has the United States responded adequately to the outbreak of violence in Syria?
16. Is British Petroleum continuing its efforts to restore the U.S. Gulf Coast region?
17. Was political corruption the primary reason for the resignation of Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi?
18. Can Mitt Romney gain the respect of Republican voters?
19. Is political division continuing in Japan?
20. As president of Brazil, has Dilma Rousseff become one of Latin America’s most influential political leaders?