Resolution (policy debate)

In general, a resolution in the context of debate by an assembly is a formulation of a determination, expression of opinion, etc., submitted to an assembly or meeting for consideration. A proposal is put to the meeting, debated, and a resolution adopted.

In policy debate, a form of formal speech competition, a resolution or topic is a normative statement which the affirmative team affirms and the negative team negates. Resolutions are selected annually by affiliated schools.

At the college level, a number of topics are proposed and interested parties write 'topic papers' discussing the pros and cons of that individual topic. Each school then gets one vote on the topic. The single topic area voted on then has a number of proposed topic wordings, one is chosen, and it is debated by affiliated students nationally for the entire season.

The United States' high school policy debate topic is selected annually under the auspices of the National Federation of State High School Association's Speech, Debate, and Theater Association. The topic process calls for two rounds of voting, the first narrowing down five initial choices to two, and the second selecting the final resolution. In each round, each state has a vote, the National Speech and Debate Association, formerly called the "National Forensic League," has a vote, the National Catholic Forensic League, and the National Debate Coach's Association has a vote. Each state's activities association has its own process for determining the state's vote.

(2017-2018) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.

(2016-2017) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.

(2015-2016) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.

(2014-2015) Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth's oceans.

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