A young man in a beige suit and a young woman in a blue blazer sit together at a table, studying documents and discussing work in an office or conference room.

Debate requires students to argue both for and against a “resolution,” or overall topic for the year. Learning to argue both sides of a topic where thinking people can disagree with integrity teaches students how to listen well, think on their feet, and argue graciously.

NCFCA 2025-2026 Debate Events

Team Policy Debate

Two debaters propose a specific plan for reform within a resolution while two debaters oppose the plan or resolution. This event explores a clash of morally defensible public policy stances, simulating argumentation in a legislative body.

Resolved: The United States Federal Government should significantly reform Congress.

Two young adults standing behind a table in a wood-paneled room, wearing formal business attire with name tags, with papers and a water bottle on the table.

Lincoln-Douglas Value Debate

One debater affirms the resolution while another opposes or negates it. Named after the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, this event explores a philosophical clash of competing but morally defensible values.

Resolved: In the exploration and utilization of outer space, international cooperation should be prioritized.