Stock Issues

The meat of a policy debate comes from the stock issues. To easily remember the stock issues, debaters often use the acronym "SHITS."

• Significance 

       How significant is the problem that you are trying to remedy through your interpretation of the resolution?

• Harms 

       What is the harm itself? Are people dying? Is the economy in recession?

• Inherency 

       What is inherent in the status quo that prevents your problem from already being solved?

• Topicality 

       Does your case fall within the topic? Does your case meet the parameters of the resolution?

• Solvency 

       Does your plan actually solve the problem?