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Debate Topics

Last updated on: Dec 29, 2023

Debate Topics (2024) - Top 200+ Compelling Topics

By: Cordon J.

23 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Mar 22, 2023

Choosing an interesting topic for a debate can be a little tricky. There are several factors that are to be considered before you choose a topic.

Is the topic debatable?
Do you have content for it?
Is the content easily available for research?
Are you genuinely interested in the topic?
Is the topic good enough to impress your audience?

Get all the answers below and get some creative and great debate topics and ideas.

On this Page

What is the Debate?

A debate and speech writing is a process or an activity that involves presenting relevant arguments in support of a viewpoint. Normally, debates take place in academic institutes, public meetings, and legislative and lawmaking assemblies.

It is a common part of our lives, and we all have argued at some point in our lives. Through a debate, a participant tries to cancel the views and arguments of the opponent while safeguarding their own views with solid proof and arguments.

In an academic and scholarly environment, it is considered quite a fun and enlightening activity that engages the audience and adds to their knowledge.

What are the Types of Debate?

Debates can be of various types. Each type is used for a specific type of debate, and all of them are conducted differently and could take place for different purposes.
Below are the six types of debate:

Lincoln-Douglas Debate: This type of debate is mostly used in formal debating societies. It is also known as a "value debate" and requires two individuals to argue against each other on moral and ethical issues.
Rebuttal Debate: A rebuttal debate is an argument that takes place between two participants. Each participant has to present their arguments and prepare a strong case against the opposition's point of view.
Cross-Examination Debate: In this type of debate, each speaker is given time to answer questions posed by the opposition while they are presenting their argument.
Public Forum Debate: This is a form of debate in which two teams compete against each other with their respective cases.
Oregon-Oxford Debate: This debate type also takes place between two participants, and each speaker has to present arguments while preparing a strong case against the opposition's point of view.
One-Rebuttal Debate: This type of debate is similar to the Cross-Examination Debate except that each speaker has only one chance to rebut the opposition's argument.

No matter what kind of debate you are planning or participating in, you will not need a unique or out-of-the-box type of topic for it. Your topic should be interesting and relatable for your audience, and this is enough to make your debate a winner.

How to Choose Good Debate Topics?

Some important factors need to be considered when it comes to choosing a good debate topic. A good debate topic will help the audience understand both sides of the issue and keep them engaged to make better and more informed decisions.

Here are a few tips that will help you choose a good topic for your debate.

Interest: It is necessary that you should be interested in your topic since you are the one who is going to write and deliver it to your audience. If you are not interested in the topic, there is no way that your debate will be convincing enough to persuade your audience.
Research: To debate effectively, you should be aware of the pros and cons of your topic. This will help you convince the audience by opposing the opponent’s viewpoints.
Target Audience: This is the essential factor to consider while choosing a debate topic. Your topic should be according to the intellectual level of your audience. Only this way, they will actually understand what you are trying to deliver in your debate.
Argument Potential: Pick a topic that has solid argument potential. If only one side is right or if there is limited information available, you will face a hard time crafting a good debate.

Are you ready to learn debating strategies and leave your opponent and audience amazed? Watch this video

Debate Topics on Different Subjects

Great speeches and debate topics are essential for memorable debates and speeches. This is why we suggest that you do your research properly before deciding on a specific topic. To help you get some memorable topic ideas, we have gathered lists of topics that could be used in any type of debate like Lincoln-Douglas debate topics, rebuttal debates, and others.

Here is a complete list of engaging debate competition topics and ideas.

Continue reading, and you will definitely find a great topic.

A

Abortion

Should abortion be allowed in all cases?

Alternative Energy

Is alternative energy a better option than traditional sources of energy?

American Socialism

Should the U.S. move towards a socialist system?

Animal Testing

Is it ethical to use animals for testing?
Is it ethical to clone animals?
Is animal testing necessary?

B

Banned Books

Should books that contain offensive content be banned?

Binge-Watching

Is binge-watching television and movies a good way to spend time?

Bottled Water Ban

Should bottled water be banned in all cases?

Business Ethics

What role should ethical considerations play in business decisions?

C

Cyberbullying

How can cyberbullying be prevented?

Capital Punishment

Is capital punishment an effective deterrent against crime?
Should capital punishment be used as a form of punishment?

Censorship

Should censorship of the internet be allowed?

Cancel Culture

Is cancel culture a valid form of protest?

Cell Phones

Should the use of cell phones be restricted in public places?

Climate Change

Is climate change real or man-made?

Cloning

Should human cloning be allowed?

D

Drugs

Should drugs be decriminalized or not?

Death Penalty

Is the death penalty effective as a punishment?

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E

Education

School debate should be compulsory for all students
There should be no school uniforms or a dress code
Students should not be allowed to use Facebook.
Impact of social media on teenagers and high school students.
Junk food should not be banned in schools
Energy drinks should be banned from students.
Students should volunteer for community service.
Students should not be allowed gadgets in private school.
Mobile phones should not be allowed in schools
High school students should not be allowed cell phones in school.
Online learning vs. traditional learning. Which is better?
How can technology help to improve education?
The modern college education system is better than the traditional one.
How can we engage high school students in the class?
How is outdoor learning beneficial?
Homework should be banned in schools.
How can a college education help you get a good job?
Should public schools offer educational bonuses?
Why do kids need recess?
Traditional teaching methods should be replaced with AI-powered education.
Public speaking boosts the confidence of students.
Entertainment and Technology Debate Topics
Children should not be allowed to play violent video games.
Pros and cons of using social media.
Does technology intensify human communication skills?
Effects of violent cartoons on the mental development of children.
Playing video games should be banned for kids.
Environmental Issues
Global warming and its impacts on humanity.
Is global warming a real issue?

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Topic Generator

F

Fun and Funny Debate Topics

Following fun debate topics are great if you are looking for topics that are light in mood and offer humorous matters.

Women are much more complicated than men.
Which one is better? Eat to live or live to eat?
Children should not be allowed to watch cartoons as they portray violence.
Why can men date younger women, but women can’t date younger men?
Are there some discrete messages in nursery rhymes?
Morals or money? Which one is necessary to survive?
Which gender is better? Male or female?
How does sunlight affect vampires?
Can vampires get AIDS?
How will life be after death?
Barbie is a good role model for young girls.
Do fairy tales affect children’s reality perception?
Has the #MeToo movement gone too far?
Which is the better pet? Dogs or cats.
What comes first? Chicken or eggs.
Winters are better than summer.
Do you want to live forever?
What is a better dessert? Cake or ice cream.
What is the best topping for pizza?
No one should ever tell a lie.

G

General Debate Topics

Zoos should be banned
Why do kids need privacy?
Importance of saving money.
Every student should adopt a family pet.
Why do most kids start smoking?
Importance of reading books.
Animals should have the same rights as humans.
Fast-food chains are the major cause of the increase in the obesity rate.

H

Healthcare Debate Topics

Marijuana should be legal for its use in medicines.
Pharmacists should not be allowed to prescribe medicines.
Obese people should pay more for healthcare.
Healthcare should not be free for everyone.

I

Interesting Debate Topics

Is sex education necessary for middle school students?
Nuclear powers are the major cause of wars.
Same-sex marriage should not be allowed.
Gay relationships are against nature.
Students are becoming way too dependent on technology.
Money is a major source of motivation in the workplace.
Girls should be encouraged and supported to enter the STEM research field.
Is money a key factor in getting exoneration from crimes?
Alternative energy resources should be explored and used to preserve natural resources.
Censorship should be made less lenient for educational documentaries.
Gay couples should be allowed to adopt children.
The sale of fur must be banned.
Reality television is harming society.
Why is paintball a real sport?
Sports are more important than arts.
What are the differences between cricket and hockey?
Why is it important to ban late-night alcohol sales?
Unpaid internships should be made illegal.
Beauty contests should be banned.
Gay couples should not be allowed to adopt children.

J

Justice Debate Topics

The death penalty should be abolished.
Mental illness should not be grounds for criminal justice exemption.
The legal age for voting should be lowered.
Juveniles who commit crimes should not be tried as adults.
Should police officers wear body cameras?
Are plea bargains fair to defendants?

K

Knowledge Debate Topics

Do humans learn better by reading or listening?
Should universities offer free tuition to all students?
Is knowledge more important than experience?
What is the best way to acquire knowledge?
Are tests a good indication of student learning?
Do grades accurately measure intellectual abilities?

L

Life and Ethics Debate Topics

Beauty pageants are another way to objectify women.
Beauty pageants are setting ridiculous standards in society.
Social networking sites are used for stalking instead of communicating.
Torture is never justified, no matter what the situation is.
Celebrities have the leverage to get away with crimes more than any non-celebrity.
Cigarettes should not be allowed in public places.

M

Moral Debate Topics

Is it ever right to lie?
Should animals be used for scientific research?
Is abortion wrong in all cases?
Capital punishment is morally wrong.
The death penalty should not exist.
Should prostitution be legalized?
What is the moral responsibility of corporations?

N

Nature Debate Topics

Are humans responsible for global warming?
Should plastic bags be banned in all countries?
Why are bees important to our environment?
How can deforestation be stopped or slowed down?
What is the best way to preserve wildlife habitats?
What steps should be taken to reduce air pollution?

O

Opinion Debate Topics

Should teachers be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom?
Do violent video games lead to aggressive behavior?
Are organic foods really better for you than non-organic foods?
Does the internet make people more productive?
Is it ethical to clone animals and humans?

P

Political Debate Topics

There should be a monarchical system in the United States
Causes of increasing racism in the United States.
Nuclear weapons should be banned across the globe.
Police should be allowed to use lethal force.
Are men stronger than women?
Religion does more harm than good.
Why can it be done to stop wars?
Is the Paris Agreement relevant anymore?
Monarchy should end worldwide.
Everyone should be allowed to keep weapons.
Free speech is an individual right.
Religious schools and churches should also be charged with taxes.
Is freedom of speech necessary for a nation to grow?
What should be the penalty for illegal immigrants?
There should be more members of the jury.
Refugees should not be allowed to acquire any sort of nationality.
Is it ethical to carry an automatic weapon?
Is patriotism a good or a bad thing?
Is the US Constitution a living document?
Political campaigns must be organized on money borrowed by corporations.
Limiting terms for US senators and representatives brings more harm than benefit.
Why should churches pay more taxes?
Police should use deadly force. Discuss why.
Why must the royal family be abolished?
People should own guns. Why?
Why are automatic weapons legalized?
Voting should be made mandatory for everyone.
Importance of freedom of speech.
Public Forum Debate Topics
Abortion is the right of every woman.
Genetic engineering is not a natural process and should not be legalized.
Birth control pills should be accessible to teenagers.
There should be an equal ratio of male and female employees in the workplace.
Barbie is not a practical example of a role model.
Feminism is causing more harm than good.
Gay couples should be allowed to adopt children.
Marijuana has its advantages.
The MeToo movement is being misused, forgetting its real purpose.
The media should be free to express their opinions and criticism.
Public prayer should not be allowed in schools.
Smoking should be banned worldwide.
The form of government should provide free birth control.
Can we trust banks?
Financial issues destroy a nation.
Is taxation good or bad?
How can humans affect animals?
Discuss the importance of financial stability.
We should lower the voting age for everyone.
Mobile banking is not a safe procedure. Why?
How badly can peer pressure affect an innocent soul?
Models are setting the wrong standards of beauty.
We are living in a dystopian society.

Q

Questions Debate Topics

Does technology have the potential to do more harm than good?

R

Religion Debate Topics

What is the importance of religion in society?
Should religious education be mandatory in all schools?

S

Sports

Sports should be an essential part of middle school.

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T

Television Debate Topics

Should parents be more mindful of the television programs their children watch?
Are reality shows detrimental to our society?

U

Urbanization Debate Topics

What are the effects of rapid urbanization on the environment?

V

Veganism Debate Topics

Is veganism a more ethical lifestyle choice than eating meat?
Should veganism be promoted as an ethical diet choice?

W

Women's Rights Debate Topics
Are women still discriminated against in the workplace?

X

Xenophobia Debate Topic
What can be done to tackle the rising xenophobia in many parts of the world?

Y

Youth Empowerment Debate Topics
Should youth empowerment programs be adopted at a global level?

Z

Zero Waste Debate Topics

Can zero-waste policies help protect our environment?

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Topic Generator

Best Debate Topics for Students

Crafting an argumentative essay or preparing for a debate? Below we have compiled some great topics for debate competition;

Debate Topics for Kids

The curriculum should be designed according to the individual needs of the children.
Physical activities and real-life teaching skills should be mandatory in schools.
Visits to zoological and botanical gardens are great fun and educational activities for kids.
Sports should be encouraged at the school level.
Children should be given the right to vote.
School hours should be revised.
School lunches should be properly planned by a dedicated dietician.
Parents should give a weekly allowance to the kids.
Parents should be held responsible for their kids' mistakes.
Dance can be considered a sport.
Schools should block sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on their computers.
Why should we encourage students to read books?
How can we replace teachers with computers?
Why are the Olympics important?
Are zoos beneficial to animals?
Why is it important to explore space?
Do children really need privacy in their lives?
Why should children save their pocket money?
Parents should be punished if their child makes a mistake.

Debate Topics for Teens

The minimum wage for all countries should be the same.
Parents should not hit children in front of others.
Censorship is necessary for the media.
Passion or patriotism can be harmful in certain situations.
How social media affects teenagers?
Social media is a cause of increasing depression among the youth.
The use of drugs should be considered a mental issue.
How is peer pressure different from bullying?
How are humans destroying the habitat of animals?
Being too religious can be dangerous.
Can people save nature by using technology?
Are student loans exploitative?
Alcohol should not be sold on weekends.
How secure is mobile banking?
Does homework really promote learning?
Is abortion murder?
Should students be allowed to create their own curriculum?
Why is a college and university education necessary?
Teachers should be allowed to carry guns on campuses.
How should modern society respond to teenage pregnancies?
All students must learn at least one foreign language.

Debate Topics for Middle School

Following middle school debate topics are added to give you some good debate topics for middle school.
Peer pressure is a major influence on teenage behavior.
Should parents be held responsible for their children’s actions?
Cell phone usage should be banned in schools.
Teachers should use more technology in the classroom.
Students should not have to wear uniforms.
Schools should teach about financial literacy and budgeting.
Violence in video games leads to increased aggression.
The legal drinking age should be lowered from 21.
Juvenile offenders should serve their sentences in adult prisons.
Sexting should carry criminal penalties for minors.
Schools need more money for extracurricular activities.
Is it okay to criticize your teacher in public?

Debate Topics for High School

High school debate topics are less profound than what you get in college and graduation. The following topics will give you an idea of how to come up with interesting debate topics for your debate.

In high school, should all students have to pass a basic math proficiency test?
Should parents be held liable if their children commit crimes?
Should violent video games be banned?
Do the benefits of religious teachings outweigh their disadvantages?
Are single-parent homes better than dual-parent homes?
Should students participate in sports activities during school hours?
Should schools provide free sanitary supplies in bathrooms?
Are standardized tests a valid measure of student performance?
Should cell phones be allowed in the classroom?
Should students be graded on attendance alone?
Is it right to limit free speech on college campuses?
Are video games taking away from social activities or helping to build them?
Should school uniforms be mandatory?
Should the death penalty be abolished in all countries?
Is it ethical to use animals for testing medical treatments?
Should students be paid for their academic performance?
Should plastic straws and other single-use items be banned?

Debate Topics for College Students

How can homework help to abolish learning skills?
Why should religion be avoided to discuss in schools?
Is history an important subject area?
Why is it important for students to play sports regularly?
Boarding school is harmful to the mental health of the students.
Obesity in children is increasing because of parents’ lack of control over their children.
Children should not be allowed to use gadgets.
There should be no advertisements on kids’ channels.
People should be fined according to their income.
Can drug addicts deal through help or punishment?
Rich people should pay more taxes.
Women should be paid less than men,
Wars are never justified.
Marriage is no longer necessary.
Celebrities should earn less.

Expert Tip

Are you a high school student seeking the best possible debating format? This blog will provide you with all of the information to make an informed decision.

Latest Debate Topics 2023

Here are some current debate topics for your next debate;

Education is becoming costlier with every passing day while the quality is not improving.
Children and teens in underprivileged neighborhoods should be given free education.
The rise of augmented reality in contemporary Hollywood and its results.
Video games and animated movies are promoting violence and sexism.
Google is transforming into an online patrol. Discuss.
Orwell’s novel 1984 is becoming a quick reality. Discuss and explain with examples.
Dating in the workplace should be discouraged.
Parents should monitor their kid’s computer and phone usage.
Racial profiling is a new form of discrimination.
Reasons for substance abuse in high school and college-going children.
Values or wealth? Which one is necessary to survive?
There is no third gender.
Homosexual relationships are against nature.
Do drug addicts need help or punishment?
Are animal supports acceptable?
Parental support is essential for the future success of children.
Technology makes people smarter. How?
How can all cars become electric?
A robot can increase people’s quality of life.
Discuss the recent development in the technological field.
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.
Alternative energy can effectively replace fossil fuels.
Cell phone radiation is dangerous and should be limited.
Euthanasia should be banned.
The drinking age should be 18.
Vaping should be banned.
All high school athletes should be drug tested.
Detention should be abolished.
How can we improve the quality of healthcare services?
How should parents handle a bad report card?
Our privacy is more important than national security.
Why is football so dangerous for players?

Dos and Don'ts for Debating

When taking part in debate, it is important to keep the following helpful do’s and dont’s in mind.

Do:

Here are several best practices to keep in mind when debating:
Prepare in advance and research the topic.
Consider both sides of the argument and present a balanced view.
Use evidence and facts to support your opinions.
Listen carefully to the opponent’s point of view.
Respectfully disagree with what you don’t agree with.
Be prepared to compromise.

Don't:

Here are several things to avoid when debating:

Argue for the sake of arguing without any concrete evidence.
Get personal or use offensive language.
Monopolize the conversation or interrupt others.
Be too emotional about the topic.
Ignore what the other person is saying.
Make assumptions or jump to conclusions.

By keeping these dos and don'ts in mind, one can have an effective debate on any given topic.

To wrap it up,
Hopefully, you would have found interesting topics for your debate by now.

Once you have chosen a topic, you will have to prepare a strong debate by researching every aspect of the topic. Is that too much work for you?

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5StarEssays.com is the place for you. All you have to do is provide your topic along with the instructions, and the expert writers will do the job for you. Or you an add your topic to our AI essay generator, and it will do the rest.

However, for some students, composing a debate is harder than selecting a topic. We can help you with that as well.

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Cordon J.

Speech

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.