Students of all ages and grade levels can benefit from participating in classroom debates. Not only do they provide a change from regular classroom activities, but they also allow students to learn and use different skills.
Under some circumstances, students enjoy classroom debates so much that they join their school’s debate team. In doing so, they have the opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills, practice grace under pressure, and further develop their critical thinking skills.
Source: buzzle.com
Choosing Debate Topics
Choosing debate topics can be challenging for some students, and it should occur responsibly. No matter if it’s for a classroom or club debate, the issue should be controversial. Questions also shouldn’t be too easy or difficult for the student’s grade level, either. For example, when picking middle school debate topics, one wouldn’t pick censorship justification or how patriotism affects international relations.
Instead, students should pick topics that excite them. That way, they create exciting and passionate discussions. If their questions are appealing, they’ll forget about their fear of public speaking or shyness.
Contents
- Elementary School Level
- Middle School Level
- High School Level
- Kindergarten Debate Topics
- Debate Topics on Family Relationships
- Funny Debate Topics
- Controversial Debate Topics
- Fun Debate Topics
- Interesting Debate Topics
- Social Media Debate Topics
- Light-hearted Debate Topics
- Debate Topics for Engineering Students
- Topics for Debate Competitions
Elementary School Level
- Is traditional education better than homeschooling?
- Do kids need recess?
- Should tracking devices be allowed on student IDs?
- Are aliens real?
- Do we have good enough role models for this generation?
- Are computers replacing teachers?
- Should animal testing continue?
- Do we need to ban cell phones in classrooms?
- Should children in beauty pageants be banned?
- Are pre-teens and teens overscheduled?
Middle School Level
- Should all students have chores daily?
- Does every home need a pet?
- Should every student play a musical instrument?
- Does homework need to be banned?
- Should schools require uniforms?
- Is year-round school better for students?
- Should soda be banned from children?
- Should PE be required for all students?
- Does the Internet need to be banned from schools?
- Does junk food need to be banned from schools?
High School Level
- Should community service be a school requirement?
- Should parents be required to attend parenting classes before having children?
- Do all museums need to have free admission?
- Are single-sex schools better for students?
- Should students be held legally responsible for bullying?
- Should solar energy replace other forms?
- Are PCs better than MACs?
- Should all students be required to take a cooking class?
- Are video games too violent?
- Is history a critical subject?
Kindergarten Debate Topics
- Would you prefer having a dunk tank or a bouncy castle at your next birthday party?
- Which is better: vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
- Which is scarier: zombies or vampires?
- Would you rather be a pirate or robot for Halloween?
- What’s the best Disney movie?
- Pop Its or Jiggly Pets: which is the best toy?
- Are zebras black or white?
- How and why do chameleons change their colors?
- Which are better: cats or dogs?
- Should you be allowed to play electronic games every day? If so, for how long?
Debate Topics on Family Relationships
- Should children be assigned regular chores?
- If you’re assigned chores, should you be rewarded with an allowance?
- Should your parents pay you for getting good grades?
- Should your older brother or sister be allowed to stay up later than you?
- Should parents be allowed to enter their kids’ rooms without their permission?
- Do you think that your parents should let you buy anything you want?
- Is it important for families to have dinner together when possible?
- Is it right for a mother or father to smoke?
- If a parent has a motorcycle, should he or she wear a helmet?
- Should kids be allowed to pick where the family goes on vacation?
Funny Debate Topics
- What’s better: hamburgers or hot dogs?
- Do you agree that smartphones make us stupid?
- Do you agree with the following statement? “No one should ever lie.”
- Do you want to live forever?
- If a magic genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish?
- What’s the most dangerous animal on Earth?
- What is your favorite food?
- What food do you dislike the most?
- Which is scarier: a clown or a mime?
- Do you think that kids and their teachers should wear school uniforms?
Controversial Debate Topics
- Should the voting age be changed to 16 years?
- Should fast food and soda be banned?
- Should rich people’s taxes be raised to “pay more of their fair share”?
- Should famous people like celebrities and sports stars make less money?
- Is social media, like Facebook and Twitter, destroying our country?
- Does your state have the right to make any vaccination mandatory?
- Is it the police’s job to protect your safety?
- Should people who are greatly overweight or smoke have to pay more for health insurance?
- Is war ever justified?
- Should boys be able to play girls’ sports?
Fun Debate Topics
- Was George Washington or Abraham Lincoln the better President?
- Should school be held all year?
- Once kids turn 16 years old, should they all get jobs?
- Why do cats often seem to be staring at nothing?
- Do you think that it’s important to learn math at school?
- Should kids have to do homework?
- Do you believe in aliens?
- Do you believe in ghosts?
- Do you think that “bad” words are actually bad?
- What’s the best topping on pizzas?
Interesting Debate Topics
- Should all kids be required to participate in physical education (gym)?
- Who is your favorite role model?
- Should celebrities and sports stars be considered good role models?
- What do you think is the best movie of all time?
- Should cellphones be banned in the classroom?
- Should bullies be punished?
- Should all men and women aged 18 to 25 years be required to register for the draft?
- Should all students demonstrate that they have the ability to read, write, and do math to graduate?
- Should children be allowed to participate in beauty pageants?
- Should older kids, such as those aged 16 years or more, be able to get tattoos?
- Is Freedom of the Press a myth?
- Is it right for Facebook, Twitter, or other platforms to “cancel” or ban certain people?
- Are YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and others good sources for news?
- Should kids not be allowed to use social media until a certain age?
- Should parents be able to monitor their kids’ social media activity to protect them?
- Is social media contributing to global terrorism?
- Should states and the U.S. federal governments regulate social media?
- Should Facebook add a “dislike” button?
- Does social media increase our knowledge and connections or further polarize and isolate us?
- Is the media’s coverage leading to increased violent crime across the country?
Light-hearted Debate Topics
- What’s your favorite season: summer, fall, winter, or spring?
- What’s the best TV show of all time?
- If you could have one superpower, what would you choose?
- If you had the ability to time travel, would you rather go forward or backward in time?
- Who is the best superhero?
- Is being a vegan or vegetarian good or bad for your health?
- What sport would you like to see added or removed from the Olympics?
- What is your favorite book of all time?
- Is it better to have sisters, brothers, both, or neither?
- Is today’s popular music getting better or worse?
Debate Topics for Engineering Students
- What is the best engineering field: electrical, mechanical, civil, IT, biochemical, or another field?
- Is it a safe choice to keep all of your data in the cloud?
- Should engineering students learn engineering drawing?
- How can you persuade non-expert clients that the option you’re presenting is the best choice, but that no single option is perfect?
- Some would argue that there is no debating in engineering since it’s based on scientific facts and principles that will lead to results. Do you agree?
- Should you always consider the potential ethical and social impacts when taking on any engineering project?
- Some are now arguing that geoengineering – human intervention to deliberately manipulate environmental processes that affect the earth’s climate – should be studied and developed to help stop carbon emissions. Yet others strongly feel that geoengineering is extremely risky and unethical. Where do you stand?
- Do you feel that one of the biggest challenges today is determining how to educate “first-world” engineers to resolve third-world problems?
- What steps can we take in the United States to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education more inviting to young students?
- Is it ethical to engage in bioengineering that changes the human genome to treat previously incurable diseases yet also could have extremely dangerous implications?
Topics for Debate Competitions
- Public prayer should not be permitted in schools.
- All schools should have armed guards.
- Universal healthcare is a right.
- There are two genders: male and female.
- All drugs should be made legal.
- Climate change is an existential threat.
- The mainstream media is biased and often reports their opinions vs. objective facts.
- Playing violent video games leads to a lack of empathy and desensitization to violence.
- Standardized testing is racist and should be abolished.
- Abortion should be banned.
Importance of Argumentation
Previously, students and staff could find debates taking place in elite high schools. However, educators across the board are embracing the fundamentals of debating in their classrooms. The main reason is that debating helps students learn how to investigate new ideas, develop their critical thinking skills, and consider new points of view.
When educators work with their students, they move through five parts of the debate process. In doing so, they’re reinforcing and modeling the process as follows:
- Gathering information
- Exploring every side of their topic or issue
- Forming their initial opinion
- Defending their position
- Refining their idea through what they learn during the debate
Arguments are critical because it gives students opportunities to listen carefully to and answer any objections their opponent raises. Their opponent will listen to the student’s reasoning and determine why it’s not valid. Using logic and evidence, students can present points as to why their objections don’t work. Then, if possible, they can build on their opponent’s objections by using logical facts, statistics, and any other hard facts they know.
Utilizing Argumentation and Debate for Kids
Developing a compelling argument involves creating a thesis statement, supporting it with evidence, using reasoning skills, and developing a persuasive voice.
That way, students can answer these questions:
- What do I want to say about this topic?
- After I read more about this topic, what are my thoughts?
- Why is this topic important to this assignment, my course, and to me?
- Can I determine the strengths and weaknesses of this topic?
Creating logical arguments helps students keep their thoughts organized and ready to present during the debate. Because they have to think and respond quickly, it’s critical to have these points memorized ahead of time. When giving an argument, students should begin with their strongest point. The main reason is, if they start with their weakest, they’re leaving themselves open to criticism. Instead of trying to describe every detail of a point, focus on those that best describe the position.
Avoid moving on the next issue before resolving the one that you’re currently presenting. If you find yourself repeatedly arguing the same point with your partner, you’ll have to agree to disagree. Then, move on to your next position. If your partner attempts to divert your attention, then bring the discussion back to the argument’s original topic.
Source: buzzle.com
Resources
https://eduzenith.com/debate-topics-for-kids
https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/02/24/our-100-most-popular-student-questions-for-debate-and-persuasive-writing/
http://mrmingolello.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/6/8/15681992/50_debate_prompts_for_kids.pdf
https://topicsmill.com/debate/debate-topics-for-kids/
https://eduzenith.com/debate-topics-for-elementary-students
https://www.thoughtco.com/middle-school-debate-topics-8014
https://www.thoughtco.com/hold-a-class-debate-6637
https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/How-to-Write-a-Thesis-Statement?language=en_US
FAQs
What are some fun debate topics? ›
- All families should have a pet.
- Dogs are better pets than cats.
- Summer is better than winter.
- Candy should be given as rewards in the classroom.
- Clowns are more scary than funny.
- Modern music is better than classical music.
- Xbox is better than PlayStation.
Debate is a formal discussion that allows children to explore different topics and learn new perspectives through conversations and discussions. Having debates can help them enhance their thinking skills and speech delivery techniques. It also helps children build confidence and character.
What are the 6 topics for the debate? ›- Is digital technology making children's lives better?
- Teachers should be allowed to smack naughty children.
- Books are better than television.
- Children should be paid to go to school.
- Computers should replace teachers.
- Every child should have a pet.
- This house would ban boxing.
- This House would ban homework.
- Should we ban homework: does homework promote learning?
- How essential is a college education?
- Banning mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones) at schools: yes or no?
- Is it appropriate to allow students to create their own curricula?
- Is abortion murder?
- Gun Control.
- Abortion.
- Religious Freedom.
- Animal Rights.
- Vaccines.
- Privacy Rights.
- Free-Market Capitalism.
- Global Climate Change.
Social and Political Issues Debate Topics
All people should have the right to own guns. The death penalty should be abolished. Human cloning should be legalized. All drugs should be legalized. Animal testing should be banned.
A debate is a discussion or structured contest about an issue or a resolution. A formal debate involves two sides: one supporting a resolution and one opposing it. Such a debate is bound by rules previously agreed upon. Debates may be judged in order to declare a winning side.
How do you debate 5th grade? ›- Provide a topic.
- Divide the class in half.
- Write down rules for the debate.
- Assign the students.
- Ask each team.
- Set up the classroom.
- Ask the student.
- Give each student.
Homework should be banned. It's better to be good at academics than to be good at sports. Students should be required to wear school uniforms. Students should be punished for using curse words.
Why debate is good for kids? ›Increases language skills
Debates for kids enhance their ability to listen while speaking. They have to listen to what other kids have to say and how they are forming their sentences. This becomes a great learning process for them. They are improving their language skills by participating in debates.
How should a beginner debate? ›
- Know the Debate Before it Starts. ...
- Conduct Open and Thorough Research. ...
- Think Relatively. ...
- Understand the Debate through Experiences. ...
- Relate the Content with Evidence. ...
- Consider the Perspective of your Judge. ...
- Make your Case. ...
- Do Not Always Disagree with Everything.
- Research the topic and prepare logical arguments.
- Gather supporting evidence and examples for position taken.
- Anticipate counter arguments and prepare rebuttals.
- Team members plan order and content of speaking in debate.
- One person speaks at a time. ...
- You may bring some brief notes, but you may not read them.
Is There Life After Death? This is one of the most important questions of all, as everyone's life ends sooner or later. Yet no one has ever answered it definitively, and there's no reason to believe this will change anytime soon.
What are the current topics for group discussion 2022? ›- Russia-Ukraine war.
- Sri Lanka's Economic crisis.
- High fuel prices.
- NATO.
- COVID-19.
- E-learning – Pros & Challenges.
- Post-Covid world.
- Metaverse.
- Tell me about the best and worst parts of your day.
- What's your favorite game to play?
- If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
- What's your favorite thing to do in the car?
- If you could be anywhere right now where would you be? ...
- What's your favorite cereal?
- Talk about challenges. We all face challenges in our life; some more than others. ...
- Talk about beauty. Talking about beauty around you can be a great conversation starter. ...
- Talk about friendship. ...
- Talk about food.
Human Gene editing – Good or Bad? Raising the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years – Pros & Cons. Uniform Civil Code.
How do high school students debate? ›Research their main points. Take notes to help you organize your opponent's likely thought processes. Focus on the strongest arguments that they will probably have during the debate. Ask neutral others what they think about your opponent's arguments and note if they agree or disagree with their points and why.
What is the 2021 high school debate topic? ›The 2021-2022 high school debate topic is: “Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.” The topic is selected annually by ballot of the delegates from the National Catholic Forensic League, the National Debate Coaches Association, ...
How do you win a debate? ›- Decide On a Position You Feel Capable Of Defending. ...
- Become Well-Informed About Both Your and Your Opponent's Positions. ...
- State a Thesis At the Beginning. ...
- Listen Carefully To Your Opponent's Response. ...
- Do Not Forego the Objections That Your Opponent Raises.
What are the four types of debate? ›
There are four distinct types of debate topics: Empirical, Comparative, Model, and Abstract. Any given subject matter can be used for any type of debate – the difference is in how debaters are expected to approach the topic.
What is a debate class 9? ›A debate is a formal discussion on a particular theme or topic. It is mostly conducted in a public setting in which people present their opposing arguments for or against a particular theme or topic.
What are the 2 sides of a debate called? ›Each debate involves two debating teams who take opposing sides of the topic, either affirmative (for) or negative (against). The teams alternate speakers. The affirmative team speaks in support of the topic.
What is a debate Year 3? ›A debate is a formal discussion about a subject where people have different views. Different facts and opinions are presented by each side during the discussion.
What is debate activity? ›Debating – an interactive activity that requires 2 or more opposing groups to present arguments each from a different point of view on a concept, question or topic. Another well-known but infrequently implemented strategy is debating.
Should homework be banned debate? ›Yes because… Homework produces large amount of pointless work of little educational value, but marking it ties up much of teachers' time. This leaves teachers tired and with little time to prepare more effective, inspiring lessons.
How do you start a debate club in middle school? ›- Put together a LEADERSHIP TEAM. The more people dedicated to the goal of starting a successful debate program, the more likely it is to succeed. ...
- Set the MOOD & make it FUN. Look, debate is fun. ...
- Go to TOURNAMENTS. ...
- Lesson Plan. ...
- Social Media.
Learn how starting school later can help adolescents get enough sleep and improve their health, academic performance, and quality of life.
Where do you stand debate game? ›#6 – Where do you stand? In this simple online debate game, you will divide the argument sides into two opinions: strongly agree and strongly disagree. You then make a statement, and the students will have to take a stand between two sides.
How do you teach students to debate? ›Here is the debate structure I use with my students: Introduction: Introduce yourself, the topic and the side you will be arguing for, and your claim. Support Your Idea: Have 3-4 strong and relevant points to support your claim. Rebuttal: Address and state a reason that will counter what the opposing side is claiming.
What are some political debate topics? ›
These include topics like “Should the Electoral College be abolished?” and “Is the voting system in America democratic?” Another top debatable topic is gun control.
Can children debate? ›All children can be encouraged to participate in debating and, ideally, they should start young. This is because the activity of debating imparts many valuable skills to young minds that will be of use to them even beyond school and college.
Should debate be taught in school? ›Debate is a valuable activity for students of all skill levels. Debate teaches useful skills for other academic pursuits and life more generally. Most obviously, debaters build confidence speaking in public and expressing their ideas eloquently.
How do you start a school debate? ›- Step 1: Brainstorm ideas. ...
- Step 2: Organise ideas. ...
- Step Three: Structure the speeches. ...
- Step 4: Prepare your speeches. ...
- Step 5: Prepare the rest of the class.
Debating is an annual affair in most schools across the world. Special debate competitions are hosted to encourage children to come forth and argue on a topic that has been picked by the institutes judging panel. The topic of debate can be generic or specific, as per the student's level of understanding and their ages.
What are the types of debates? ›- Parliamentary Debate.
- Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
- Cross Examination Debate.
- Academic Debate.
Be confident and well Prepared– Student should prepare well for 'Debate Topic' they have been assigned. Do research on the topic, write notes for important points, dress for the occasion (if competition is organised outside the school), memorise important topics, do counter preparation, and don't take the stress.
Do and don'ts of debate? ›- Always wear formal clothes.
- Try to reach the venue ten minutes before the actual time.
- Confirm your location before the debate starts.
- Cross check all your details with the official score sheet.
- Stand in front of timekeeper and chairman.
- Applaud each participant.
- Start when they are young.
- Pique their interest.
- Allow freedom to express their ideas.
- Help them understand 'For Or Against'
- Strengthen their facts.
- Fix their body posture.
- Guide them on how to proceed in an argument.
- The public electoral college should be tuition-free.
- All teachers should get tenure.
- All school districts should offer school vouchers.
- The sale of human organs should be legalized.
- Birth control should be for sale over the counter.
- Net neutrality should be restored.
How should a beginner debate? ›
- Know the Debate Before it Starts. ...
- Conduct Open and Thorough Research. ...
- Think Relatively. ...
- Understand the Debate through Experiences. ...
- Relate the Content with Evidence. ...
- Consider the Perspective of your Judge. ...
- Make your Case. ...
- Do Not Always Disagree with Everything.
A debate is a discussion or structured contest about an issue or a resolution. A formal debate involves two sides: one supporting a resolution and one opposing it. Such a debate is bound by rules previously agreed upon. Debates may be judged in order to declare a winning side.
What is a debate Year 3? ›A debate is a formal discussion about a subject where people have different views. Different facts and opinions are presented by each side during the discussion.
What is a debatable topic? ›Such a question is debatable, meaning it is subject to disagreement or doubt. If you've ever seen politicians or anyone else have a debate, then you already have a pretty good idea of what debatable means. Something is debatable if there's reason to doubt it.
What are the most talked about topics in 2022? ›- Leading Through Change & Uncertainty.
- Adapting to the Changing Workplace.
- Managing Obstacles, Overcoming Adversity, & Thriving in Uncertainty.
- Sparking Innovation.
- Diversity & Inclusion.
- Maintaining Positivity, Balance, & Mental Health.
- Experiences & Entertainment.
- Gun Control.
- Abortion.
- Religious Freedom.
- Animal Rights.
- Vaccines.
- Privacy Rights.
- Free-Market Capitalism.
- Global Climate Change.
- Step 1: Brainstorm ideas. ...
- Step 2: Organise ideas. ...
- Step Three: Structure the speeches. ...
- Step 4: Prepare your speeches. ...
- Step 5: Prepare the rest of the class.
- Keep Calm. This is the golden rule of debating. ...
- Act Confident. This point applies not just to debating but also to life. ...
- Maintain Proper Body Language. ...
- Know The Form Of The Debate. ...
- Use Of Debate Jargons. ...
- Work On Emotions. ...
- Speak Loud And Clear. ...
- Keep The Topic On Track.
- Parliamentary Debate.
- Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
- Cross Examination Debate.
- Academic Debate.
Social and Political Issues Debate Topics
The death penalty should be abolished. Human cloning should be legalized. All drugs should be legalized. Animal testing should be banned.
What is a debate class 9? ›
A debate is a formal discussion on a particular theme or topic. It is mostly conducted in a public setting in which people present their opposing arguments for or against a particular theme or topic.
What are the 2 sides of a debate called? ›Each debate involves two debating teams who take opposing sides of the topic, either affirmative (for) or negative (against). The teams alternate speakers. The affirmative team speaks in support of the topic.