Debate topics

Telling students to think critically and use evidence to make logical conclusions is
often met with blank stares. Try staging a high school debate that forces them to do
what you want while maintaining class enthusiasm.

Why Debate?
Classroom debates allow students to practice critical thinking skills and public
speaking skills. Don't believe me? Try it in your classroom and you'll see numerous
other benefits, including:

Engages students and forces them to think about content.

Teaches persuasion skills.
Creates a positive classroom atmosphere where student opinion is valued.
Teaches critical thinking skills.
Makes learning fun.
Having a good topic is crucial to making the debate work.

High School Debate Topics

Any topic upon which there is a reasonable difference of opinion and that students
should know something about can be used. The following examples will help.

General Topics
Should school uniforms be required?
Should student dress codes be abolished?
Should students be allowed to use cellphones and other electronic devices
during school?
Should high school athletes be subjected to random drug testing?
Block scheduling or traditional seven-period days?
Is public shame an appropriate mode of punishment?
How much should homework factor in a student's grade?
Should sex education be taught in school?
Is teasing bullying or just kids being kids?
Literature Topics

Who is most responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?

In Of Mice and Men is George justified in shooting Lennie?
To be or not to be? Is that really the question?

Should John Proctor in The Crucible have confessed to being a witch?

Who's more responsible for the havoc caused by Frankenstein's monster, the
monster or his creator?
Is Odysseus a good leader?
Is the assassination of Julius Caesar justified?
Is the annihilation of the Buggers justified in Ender's Game?

Science and Technology Topics

Should governments be involved in stem cell research?

Is it morally acceptable to experiment on animals?
Is man-made global warming a hoax?
Should law enforcement create a DNA database for criminals?
Should performance enhancing drugs be banned in sports?
Should the genetic engineering of animals be disallowed?
Does the Internet cause more harm than good?

Social Studies Topics

Should weapons of mass destruction be eliminated voluntarily?

Should government take over the health care system?
Should Congress persons have term limits?
Should education policy be dictated by the federal government?
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Should citizens of the United States that have declared war on the United
States forfeit their Constitutional rights?

Silly Topics (good for introducing the concept of debate)

Who would win a fight between Batman and Aquaman?

What's a better color, blue or red?
Would you prefer a 100-pound weight dropped on your face or have an
appendage amputated?
Turtles or Parakeets?
Are tomatoes a fruit or a vegetable?

Regardless of how good your topics are, if debate guidelines are not explained
clearly, it won't matter.

Class Debate Guidelines

It is important that students have enough knowledge about the topic before
engaging in a debate. Here are the guidelines for a two-team class debate. The
teacher is the facilitator only. No matter how badly you wish to participate and no
matter how strongly you feel toward a particular topic, do not participate in the
debate. The teacher should explain debate procedures and clarify
misunderstandings. Here are the suggested rules.

1. Choose a debate topic and instruct students to divide themselves into two teams.
Students favoring one side of the topic will sit on one side of the room. Those
supporting the other side should sit on the other side of the room. Those not sure
should sit in the middle row. If the division is too lopsided then choose a new topic.

2. Instruct students that they can only speak when called on. Only one person may
speak at a time. Students who wish to participate must raise their hand. The
teacher reserves the right to call on students at random.

3. Call on a student from the minority side to make an opening statement. He or she
should give at least one reason for choosing a particular side.

4. Call on someone from the opposing side to refute the argument put forth. Stay
focused on the specific argument made to open the debate.

5. Once the original argument is finished, call on the majority side to make a
statement. Discuss this specific issue until it is satisfactorily resolved.

6. After each side has presented one argument and both have been discussed
satisfactorily, allow participants to switch sides or for those in the middle to choose
a side.

7. Force side switchers to state the reason why they switched.

8. Continue the debate in the same manner until the topic has been exhausted or
class ends.

9. Follow the debate with a writing assignment forcing each student to clearly
explain his or her position.

The key to the whole class debate is staying focused and addressing specific
reasons within the debate. This builds student analytical skills and critical thinking.
If you have any more tips or debate topics, please feel free to share and comment.