Invitational A Extemp Topics

Informative Speaking: Prelims

1. What key highlights of the COP28 conference make it so historic?
2. Why is the Smithsonian Institution’s collection curated by anthropologist Aleš Hrdlička under scrutiny?
3. Why is Israel's Supreme Court recent decision concerning the constitution change critical to the country's future? 
4. Why did Harvard’s president resign?
5. Why are Ethiopia and Somaliland facing off?
6. Who were some of the more notable persons that died in 2023?
7. What are the latest developments in the Israeli-Hamas war?
8. Why was George Santos expelled from Congress?
9. What is the impact of the new Texas law on officials arresting immigrants who are in the country illegally?
10. In what ways has artificial intelligence become a part of daily life for U.S. consumers?
11. What factors form the foundation for U.S. policy toward Ukraine?
12. Why did Taylor Swift receive Time Magazine’s Person of the Year designation?
13. What is causing President Biden’s recent polling problems?
14. What is the current status of diplomatic relations between the United States and China?
15. What’s behind the growth in participation and popularity of flag football in America?
16. What are the distinguishing characteristics of “Bidenomics”?
17. Why have Colorado and Maine barred Donald Trump from being on the 2024 primary ballot?
18. Why was Norman Lear regarded as someone who transformed TV sitcoms? 
19. What does the latest medical research suggest about treatments for dementia?
20. What are the primary causes of political polarization in the United States?

Informative Speaking: Finals

1. How has the NCAA transfer portal affected college football programs? 
2. What dangers continue from volcanic activity in Iceland?
3. Why did the Federal Transportation Department fine Southwest Airlines $140 million dollars?
4. How was Hamas able to exploit weaknesses in Israel’s ‘Iron Wall’?
5. How will the case of Kate Cox impact state policies regarding medical exemptions to abortion bans?
6. What has sparked South China Sea tension between the Philippines and China?
7. How could university presidents, testifying before Congress about anti-semitic rhetoric on campus,
   have done a better job at delivering their message?
8. Why is the state of Texas forming an advisory committee to address AI?
9. What is cyber-kidnapping?
10. What are the causes of the break-up of the United Methodist Church?
11. How does French influence contribute to stability in Western Africa?
12. Why is the U.S. Justice Department challenging Texas state-level border policy?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
13. Why is there growing alarm about activity in the Red Sea?
14. What steps can Sweden take to stem the surge in gang violence there?
15. What has led the United States to a $34 trillion federal debt?
16. What impact will Japan’s recent earthquake have on their country’s economy?
17. How will the drought conditions in the Panama Canal zone impact global commerce?
18. What are the causes of diplomatic tension between Guyana and Venezuela?
19. Why is Senator Bob Menendez facing additional troubles?
20. What are the major agreements reached by the European Union on the Pact on Migration and Asylum?

Persuasive Speaking: Prelims

1. Does America’s democracy have sufficient safeguards to prevent a dictatorship?
2. Is Sweden closer to gaining membership in NATO? 
3. Can Texas usurp the federal government on immigration?
4. Can Egypt’s reelected President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi successfully navigate his country’s challenges?
5. Did Norman Lear’s television legacy prove to be a force for social change?
6. Will Poland’s new leadership help to stabilize its economy?
7. Does the college football transfer portal need defined boundaries?  
8. Is research corroborating the success of home schools over public schools flawed? 
9. Is political corruption in the United States on the rise?
10. Does Covid remain a serious public health threat?
11. Can President Biden secure Congressional support for continued funding for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia?
12. Can Americans expect the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates?
13. What additional steps must the federal government take to limit the flow of Fentanyl into the United States?
14. Is Argentina in the midst of a political transformation or merely reverting back to past tradition?
15. Is nuclear fusion the future of clean energy?
16. Wil the status of the US. economy help or hinder President Biden in the upcoming presidential election?
17. Will polarizing politics in South Korea impact its upcoming parliamentary elections?
18. Has the Israel-Hamas War strained relations between Israel and the U.S.?
19. Does extensive social media use contribute to clinical depression among young Americans?
20. Is the Biden administration willing to go to war with China over Taiwan’s sovereignty?

Persuasive Speaking: Finals

1. Does the 14th amendment establish a legal basis to prevent Donald Trump from running for president?
2. Is there sufficient state and federal oversight over home schooling?
3. What steps must Rishi Sunak take to get control over a divided UK Conservative Party?
4. Should there be a limit to free speech on college campuses?
5. Are China and the Philippines on the verge of a major conflict?
6. Does the two-party system undermine democracy in the United States?
7. Has Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan become an authoritarian leader?
8. Has the EPA done enough to protect Texas and Gulf Coast residents who live near refineries?
9. Will the European Union’s AI Act reduce people’s fears about artificial intelligence threatening humanity?
10. Did the COP28 summit produce any positive results in combating climate change?
11. Is the political strength of Moms for Liberty waning?
12. Are interest rates having a significant effect on the Texas home-building sector?
13. Is democracy thriving in Liberia?
14. Should the federal government place additional limitations on the importation of Chinese technology?
15. What steps should government take to address the burden imposed on America’s poorest families by surging home rental rates?
16. Will Mexico succeed in its lawsuits against American gun manufacturers and dealers?
17. Wil 2024 be a challenge for global democracy?
18. Should India’s political leaders give serious consideration to creation of a Sikh province?
19. On balance, has Joe Biden achieved success as president?
20. Is Iran’s military a threat to U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East?