Choosing a Topic of Debate

Finding anything to fight about, or rather agreeing on one topic, is a huge issue for many high school debaters. There are thousands upon thousands of discussion subjects, making it difficult to choose just one, especially when numerous people make proposals.

Here’s how to pick an excellent debate topic:

  1. Consider some things that your pupils could be interested in. What kinds of debates do they enjoy? It might also be beneficial to select anything from the curriculum because they will not only be taught the subject but will also learn more about it.
  2. The issue you chose should be appropriate for the level of each other debater. Some students may not be able to investigate certain issues as thoroughly as others, thus it is beneficial to select a topic that all debaters have an equal awareness of.
  3. Consider each debater’s access to research materials. If some students are required to perform a considerable study on the issue while others are not, the argument will be unsatisfying for all participants. Presenting a discussion topic about the value of classical music in current young people, for example, to a mathematics class is unlikely to go down well.
  4. Each debater should have adequate time to prepare, which is why selecting a topic that they have already researched might be advantageous. They will be able to construct well-thought-out and persuasive arguments.
  5. Make sure your pupils are not disparaging the opposing party, or the argument may grow needlessly heated and out of control.

In the next part, we will present several argument themes based on various characteristics.

 Elementary School Debate Topics

When engaging in a discussion, educators must consider their students’ educational level and choose a topic that is appropriate for their requirements and level. When it comes to elementary school argument themes, keep in mind that children at this level are not mature or experienced enough to tackle complicated subjects, therefore simpler debate topics will be more successful.

Elementary school kids are also unlikely to have the necessary abilities and knowledge to do significant research, which is why instructors should select themes that are not difficult to investigate. The greatest themes for elementary-level discussions are simple to grasp and will keep children interested.

Here are a few examples:

  • Should elementary pupils be allowed to bring as many toys as they want to school?
  • Should you be able to wear anything you want to school?
  • Should students watch cartoons while studying?
  • Should each student be permitted to bring their pet to school?
  • Is it necessary for your class to go on a field trip every year?

Debate Topics in Middle School

Topics at this level might be more complicated to enhance students’ critical thinking and analytical abilities. At this level, you can select more contentious issues, but they should not require too much from the pupils.

They must, however, provide enough information to compel pupils to reflect and form their own opinions on the issue. Here are some suggestions:

  • Which is better for education: books or movies?
  • Is it better to have fewer or more seasonal holidays?
  • Do classroom devices enhance or detract from the teaching process?
  • Is it helpful to participate in school sports?
  • How do teachers keep kids interested in the classroom?

High School Debate Topics

Debates are excellent tools in high school for getting kids active in class and learning new skills and knowledge that will aid their future education and life. Topics for high school debates can be much more difficult and contentious.

Following are some examples:

  • Peer pressure and its hazards in the classroom
  • Is sex education beneficial in schools?
  • Should final examinations be postponed? Why?
  • How can bullying be prevented at school?
  • GPAs: Are they an outmoded means of assessing student knowledge?

College and University Debate Topics

University is a place where discussion issues may be the most difficult and contentious. They must, however, be pertinent, substantial, and clearly illustrate the students’ abilities and knowledge.

As a result, selecting a good topic might be difficult. Here are a few examples:

  • Is cheating worsened when students enter tertiary education?
  • Is living in a dorm beneficial to student integration into the college community, or is it detrimental to the educational process?
  • Should tracking devices be included on learner IDs?
  • Is technology a hindrance to learning or a helpful tool?
  • Is it true that online classes and lectures are less successful than face-to-face interactions with professors?

Relevant Debate Topics for Undergraduates

We’ve previously given you some pointers on how to select the best topic for discussions based on your level; now, here are some more ideas for college students:

  • Should the death penalty be repealed?
  • Alternative energy sources: how effective are they?
  • Is it true that single-gender schools are more effective than co-ed schools?
  • The influence of social networking on societal development
  • Should prescription drugs be promoted to the general public?
  • Should drug testing be required in all schools?
  • Are beauty pageants a means of objectifying women?
  • Curfews: Are they successful in keeping youngsters out of trouble?
  • Should parents have the authority to prohibit particular books from being kept in school libraries?

Aside from the academic level, debate forms should be considered while selecting a topic. Consider the audience and course objectives when selecting a format – some styles, such as the persuasive format, can assist students to develop their ability to give presentations in which they must sell a concept to the audience.

Similarly, contentious styles help pupils improve their negotiation skills. Controversial formats, on the other hand, allow students to become accustomed to addressing topics that may not be popular or comfortable. We’ll look at various formats in the next section.

Persuasive Debates

The primary purpose of persuasive argument themes, as the name implies, is to persuade the audience. These subjects must entail a subject or problem that people care about, as well as something that all debaters are personally interested in and informed about.

When preparing for a compelling discussion, participants must thoroughly research the topic and build a solid foundation of facts and arguments to back up their point of view.

Argumentative Debates

Argumentative arguments deal with specific concerns, issues, concepts, or occurrences that can be discussed. Debaters must prepare study materials, conduct extensive research, and select arguments from credible sources to support their opinions while selecting these issues.

Controversial Issues

Controversial discussions are distinguished by themes that present difficulties for the debaters. They usually investigate significant and timely subjects with lots of space for discourse. These issues may elicit two or more opposed public reactions.

As a result, they anticipate a lengthy and intense public debate. Good contentious arguments elicit multiple points of view from participants and drive them to pose issues that cannot be answered in a single way.

The three forms outlined above are distinct in their nature and function. However, regardless of the style you use, you should follow the following guidelines when selecting a suitable topic:

1. It must be something that both the debaters and the audience are personally interested in.

2. It must be pertinent.

3. It must not be too thin or too wide.

4. It must be intriguing.

5. Debaters must be able to gather enough supporting resources.

6. It must be valuable.

To limit the options, we will present several argument themes by field of expertise in the next section.

Essay Topics about Education

  • Should homework be prohibited? Is it a necessary component of our education that teaches us how to operate independently?
  • Is homeschooling superior to traditional schooling?
  • Should tablets be permitted in schools?
  • Is a college education necessary and useful?
  • What role do standardized tests play in improving education in your nation and throughout the world?
  • Should pupils be required to wear school uniforms? Should they even have a choice?
  • Should university students be forced to know at least one foreign language?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of early admissions procedures at tertiary institutions.
  • Should the electoral colleges be abolished?
  • Should all college candidates be obliged to serve in the community?
  • Should athletes be compensated for their participation in college and university teams?
  • Should school be held all year?
  • Should elementary school children be required to wear uniforms?
  • What are the benefits of art and music programs in the classroom?
  • Should physical education be made mandatory?

Topics Concerning Science and Technology

  • Is it safe to use smartphones?
  • Is Google the most effective search engine? Should we use a different one?
  • Should children have smartphones?
  • What is the relationship between science and religion?
  • Are people with mathematical brains more successful?
  • How has television contributed to our country’s cultural decadence?
  • Is conventional learning less successful than internet learning?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of genetically engineered children
  • Is space exploration economically worthwhile?
  • Should we make a trip to Mars?
  • How can science develop if animals are not tested?
  • Can the law keep up with today’s internet technology?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of completely autonomous vehicles?
  • Should humans and machines mate to generate biological hybrids?
  • Is technology bad for the future? Is it, on the other hand, the driving force?

Topics Concerning Health and Medicine

  • Is euthanasia permissible?
  • Should smoking be permitted in public places?
  • Should athletes be permitted to use performance-enhancing drugs?
  • Should marijuana be legalized for recreational use?
  • Is it possible that legalizing narcotics will lower organized crime?
  • Should it be mandatory to vaccinate children?
  • What effect does the internet have on our health?
  • Investigate a medical phenomenon or a series of events.
  • Should health insurance be mandated?
  • How can technology endanger human health?
  • Is drinking so bad for you?
  • What effect does air pollution have on our health?
  • Should antibiotics be prohibited?
  • Alternative medicine’s benefits and drawbacks.
  • Why do some parents refuse to immunize their children?

Topics in Sociology, Psychology, and Ethics

  • The benefits and drawbacks of adoption, as well as why parents should adopt rather than have their children.
  • Should adults be allowed to carry deadly firearms?
  • Why should same-sex marriage be permitted?
  • Can religious belief provide us with pleasure and happiness?
  • Should abortion be legalized?
  • Is there any actual evidence that God exists?
  • Should sex work be made legal?
  • How can violent conduct be explained to pupils in school?
  • How has psychology changed in the last few decades?
  • What are the differences in moral values amongst social groups?
  • Do bad role models in the family contribute to mental illnesses in children?
  • Is hunting moral?
  • Should pupils learn about ethics in school?
  • Should cigarettes be made illegal?
  • How do social groupings impact children’s behavior?

Topics Concerning Policy and Finance

  • Is it important to protect multiple types of intellectual property rights?
  • Do our votes count?
  • Is taxes beneficial or detrimental?
  • What factors influence our country’s financial stability?
  • Will there be a female president soon?
  • Is repealing anti-sodomy legislation critical to national development?
  • Can banks be relied on?
  • Is mobile banking secure?
  • Will we still be able to use credit cards in five years?
  • Is it possible to have free education all across the world?
  • Should pupils be taught money management in school?
  • Should financial advice be provided on a fee-only basis?
  • Is war profitable?
  • Can financial problems devastate a country?
  • Should the voting age be reduced?

Topics Concerning Recreation

  • Which is preferable: video games or television?
  • Which is more engaging and useful: television or books?
  • Should social networks be accessible to children of all ages? Should they be limited to those aged 18 and up?
  • Is social media good or detrimental to society?
  • Should alcoholic beverages be offered to anyone under the age of 21?
  • Is social media making people less sociable? Is it beneficial to society?
  • Is art therapy effective in the treatment of mental illness?
  • What role does music play in stress reduction?
  • Should video games be utilized in schools?
  • Is it safe to listen to music while pregnant?
  • Are school science clubs appropriate for learner recreation?
  • Are movies effective instructional tools?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of taking children to the circus.
  • Are concerts beneficial or detrimental to our health?
  • What function do games play in early childhood education?

Topics Concerning the Environment

  • What are the most effective methods for preserving nature and saving the environment?
  • Should animals be used in scientific research and development?
  • What will the appearance of our cities be in two centuries?
  • What causes global climate change, and what can we do to mitigate its negative consequences?
  • How might an environmental disaster be avoided?
  • Why should all plastic packaging be prohibited?
  • Why should people do more to conserve wildlife?
  • Is solar energy more expensive than other forms of electricity?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of becoming a vegan.
  • Is reforestation a viable solution to the challenge of global warming?
  • Drilling for oil in wildlife refuges.
  • Fuel economy criteria for automobiles.
  • Are zoos morally acceptable?
  • Should people be compensated for not felling trees?
  • Should international aviation be taxed differently?

Topics Concerning History

  • During the conflict, British and Haig generalship was used.
  • Is history important?
  • Is it possible that Genghis Khan did more good than harm?
  • Is King Arthur completely fictitious? Or did he even exist?
  • Was the Soviet Union to blame for starting the Six-Day War?
  • What was Britain’s role in World War One?
  • Should all immigrants be subjected to a history test? Are historical tests irrelevant?
  • Was Newton the first to discover the influence of gravity? Wasn’t it Haitham?
  • Historicism against Presentism
  • Were the Ancient Romans wise?
  • Provocations from South Korea sparked the Korean War?
  • Is it possible that the United States provoked Japan into war?
  • The American Revolutionary War.
  • What are some other historical perspectives on World War II?