January/February 2012 Practice Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking

1. How have the debates affected GOP presidential hopefuls?
2. What steps is Prime Minister Vladimir Putin implementing to curtail illegal immigration in Russia?
3. Why is the European Union hopeful about peace talks between Israel and Palestine?
4. Global warming: How soon can we expect to see major fallout from climate change?
5. How has South Africa utilized social media to combat corruption?
6. What factors contributed to Japan’s first annual trade deficit since 1980?
7. What prompted Venezuela to leave the World Bank Forum?
8. Iran oil embargo: What recent events are indicative that Iran is experiencing the strain of the international embargo?
9. Libya: How has the treatment of citizens changed since Gaddafi’s death?
10. Papua New Guinea: What events led up to the mutiny that replaced the nation’s Chief of Armed Forces?
11.  Hunger-Free Kids Act: What improvements have been made to nutrition in public schools?
12. Why has the tension between Israel and Iran been escalating in the past few months?
13.  What major changes are expected in the technology sector this year?
14.  Joe Paterno: What is America’s sentiment regarding this long-time Penn State football coach?
15. The Federal Reserve: Why has Ben Bernanke promised consumers low interest rates for the next few years?
16.  What are the factions of the Republican Party, and how are those factions represented in the GOP Primary?
17.  US economy: What are the pros and cons of a high inflation rate?
18.  What are the details of President Obama’s mortgage refinance plan?
19.  Angela Merkel: What is the perception of the German chancellor following the euro crisis summits?
20. Social networking: What steps are networks taking to make the Internet safer for teens?
21. Turkey: What foreign policy problems is this nation facing?
22. What challenges face Texas lawmakers in their effort to complete the redistricting project?
23. What are the leading news events domestically?
24.  Pirates in Somalia: What events indicate that the U.S. is working to combat these groups?
25. How is China relying on international commerce to gain economic strength?

Persuasive Speaking

1. Has there been peace in Iraq following the US troop withdrawal?
2. Is the recent growth of the Dow Jones industrial average indicative that the US is unaffected by the European debt crisis?
3. What caused the recent downturn of the US housing market?
4. Why has animal cruelty taken precedence in Europe?
5. Will President Obama’s plan to give tax credits to vehicles running on natural gas cause a decline in fossil fuel consumption?
6. Why has the term “states rights” become so important in the GOP primary?
7. Is the United States job market currently improving?
8. Why is Egypt preventing US citizens from returning home?
9. What steps must Europe take in order to stimulate job growth in the region?
10. In response to Japan’s eroded trust in nuclear power, is it a mistake for Japan to continue using this fuel source?
11. Will Ex-Guatemalan dictator Rios Montt be convicted of genocide charges?
12. Can Texas’ national image survive the effects of Rick Perry’s failed presidential bid?
13.  Did the embargo on Iranian oil prompt President Ahmadinejad to enter talks about scaling back nuclear power?
14.  Will GOP candidate Newt Gingrich’s plans for a U.S. colony on Mars impress American voters?
15.  No Child Left Behind: Does President Obama’s call for creativity in education signal an end to this policy?
16. How will the United States ensure stability in regions currently experiencing a withdrawal of US troops?
17. Why has Syria seen a surge in kidnapping?
18. Has military rule in Egypt caused a decline in freedom for Egyptian citizens?
19.  Would the implementation of a bill like SOPA (Stop Internet Piracy Act) be justified?
20.  Hugo Chavez: Is his daughter’s recent photo controversy indicative that this socialist leader leads a capitalist lifestyle?
21.  Why did the Chinese government criticize the European Union for banning oil imports from Iran?
22. Is the nation of Yemen guilty of providing a safe haven for international terrorists? 
23. Was the reelection of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega unconstitutional?
24. Should Congress make it illegal for its members to benefit from insider information when trading stock?
25. State of the Union Address: Will President Obama’s call to Republican and Democrat leaders to work together improve bipartisanship in Congress?