Universal 200+ Debate Topics for Any Taste

Debates are contests of opposing ideas, in which people discuss topics from two opposing sides. Most debates aim at reaching an agreement rather than sending an opposing party into a knockout. Often, this is really challenging task, that’s why debates are frequently compared to sports. Indeed, at times convincing someone who holds an opposing view is like hitting a homerun. To become as good in this intellectual sport as Barry Bonds or Bay Ruth in home runs, you should learn some skills. Just too busy? Let the essay writers be your heroes.

Choosing good debate topics or deciding how to behave are common difficulties students experience during their preparations to write my discussion board post. Although you may find it challenging to prepare for this event, as well as participate in them, this is really fun academic activity that makes college experience more memorable. There are some tips on choosing the best controversial debate topics and becoming confident, passionate, unwavering debater. Need somebody to write my thesis for me? Call us now!

Actual Problem Solving with our list of debate topics!

Choosing Good Debatable Topic is Important

Good topics are prerequisites of interesting and meaningful debates, so students should choose debatable topics responsibly. No matter whether you are participating in high school class dialogue or in college or club discussion, choose topics that are matters of controversy. There are plenty of such topics, as even science suggests, there are several alternative responses to a single phenomenon.

If students have little preparation time, they should pick familiar topics that are neither too difficult nor too easy for their intellectual level. For instance, one should not choose patriotism effect on international relations or censorship justification when looking for middle school debate topics. Political topics may be too challenging for middle school kids. Mandatory school uniforms or fast food at school cafeteria are better debate questions for these students. Need any academic help? Our legal essay writing service is the best on the market. 100% guaranteed satisfaction.

Finally, when choosing topics, consider how excited you feel about them. Interesting topics will result in more passionate and memorable discussions. When topics are appealing enough, students end up participating in impromptu, forgetting about shyness or their fear of public speaking. Making your choice, remember that teens find those topics as particularly interesting that somehow reflect their own experiences.

In order to pick topics easier, our experts developed list of relevant controversial questions. They are divided into several categories, so you may pick topics that fit your preferences best. However, before proceeding with our list of debate topics, consider finding out how to behave during dialogue and beat your opponents.

Behaving During Debates

Class along with club debates often follow formal guidelines that are predetermined long before beginning. Your teacher will most likely notify you about rules you will address. Still, here are some recommendations you should follow while speaking:

  • Maintain correct posture

Use hands and gestures while expressing thoughts. Mind that correct posture and natural gestures make speakers look confident.

  • Speak loudly and clearly

Clearly presented argumentation suggests that students prepared well for discussion. Don’t use colloquial expressions, keeping your speech formal.

  • Maintain eye contact

Don’t look at your teacher or somewhere into distance all the time. Instead, maintain eye contact with opponents. After all, debates are conversations. Also, this is another sign of confidence that students use effectively during discussion.

  • Be calm

Don’t get nervous, even if you’ve forgotten something. Restate your main argument and start again.

  • Concentrate on your idea

A statement, a dominant idea, is at the heart of every dialogue. Concentrate on your statement, don’t switch to ideas that make you or your opponents lose tracks of argumentation.

  • Maintain order

Present your arguments in an orderly fashion, just as you planned during preparations. Either presenting arguments from weaker to stronger or vice versa, use good transitions.

  • Listen “actively”

When your opponents present their ideas, listen to them and, if it is allowed, write down their major arguments. This will enable you to elaborate strong refutation. Active listening also suggests patience and respect to someone else’s turn to speak.

  • Be polite

Avoid yelling, particularly for silencing opponents. Remember that debates are about others switch their view, which demands one to be respectful towards others.

Read also: 100 Evaluative Essay Topics + Bonus Tips for Choosing the Best One

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Debate Topics

Preparation Stage Before Debates

If you have time, use it wisely and research your debate topics. Do what you usually do when writing research papers. You should develop your major claim (a thesis statement) and supporting arguments with relevant evidence. Also, students should think about possible counter arguments and refutation to them. Ensure to cite your sources properly. Otherwise, your opponents will have opportunities for questioning data credibility. Develop strong introduction and conclusion and prepare a presentation you may use during discussion.

Writing an outline which contains, introduction, thesis statement, arguments, counter-arguments, refutations, and a conclusion may be very helpful in this respect. When you are done, ask friends about reviewing your argumentation and checking whether it is convincing enough. If you still have doubts or if your friends can’t help, EduBirdie writers are always here to assist you. Use website that corrects essays to ensure strongest argumentation and best outcomes. Mind that EduBirdie can either check your essay or write it from scratch: just provide your debate topics and receive everything you need, including outlines, properly researched and cited arguments, and presentations.

Read also: 25 Illustration Essay Topics for Students

List of 120 Debate Topics Divided into Categories

If you have your own idea and need it worded in a laconic manner, feel free to use our title generator for essays. This tool, which is completely free, creates topics using your keywords. Otherwise, use this list of debate topics and pick those items that best fit your requirements.

Debate Topics for High School

  1. Should uniforms be mandatory in high schools?
  2. Is the current grading system effective in measuring student abilities?
  3. Should high schools implement later start times?
  4. Is homework beneficial or detrimental to student learning?
  5. Should high schools offer more vocational and technical education options?
  6. Is the use of technology in the classroom enhancing learning or distracting students?
  7. Should high school athletes be drug tested?
  8. Is community service a necessary requirement for high school graduation?
  9. Should schools censor books and materials deemed controversial?
  10. Is the emphasis on competitive sports in high school healthy or harmful?
  11. Should students have the right to grade their teachers?
  12. Is a college education valued over skilled trades in society unfairly?
  13. Should schools implement more policies to prevent bullying?
  14. Are school lunches healthy enough for students?
  15. Should students be allowed to use smartphones in class?
  16. Is the education system too reliant on standardized testing?
  17. Should schools offer comprehensive sex education?
  18. Are fine arts as important as STEM subjects in high school curriculum?
  19. Should schools have the authority to monitor students' social media accounts?
  20. Is peer pressure more beneficial or harmful in high school?

Topics Related with Education

  1. Is online learning as effective as in-person education?
  2. Should education be free for everyone?
  3. Is homeschooling a better alternative to traditional schooling?
  4. Should the education system focus more on practical life skills?
  5. Is the cost of college too high?
  6. Should standardized tests be abolished in the education system?
  7. Is the current education system preparing students for the real world?
  8. Should students have a say in the curriculum?
  9. Are teachers adequately compensated for their work?
  10. Should foreign language education start in elementary school?
  11. Is the tenure system in universities beneficial or detrimental to education quality?
  12. Should schools implement more policies to accommodate students with disabilities?
  13. Is there a bias in the education system against certain groups of students?
  14. Should schools place more emphasis on teaching emotional intelligence?
  15. Is the education system too focused on STEM subjects at the expense of the humanities?
  16. Should students be taught financial literacy in school?
  17. Is academic competition among students healthy?
  18. Should the curriculum be the same for every school in the country?
  19. Are private schools better than public schools?
  20. Should schools use AI and machine learning to enhance education?

Social Debate Topics

  1. Universal Basic Income: Solution to Poverty or Disincentive to Work?
  2. The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
  3. Should Voting Be Mandatory in Democracies?
  4. The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Enhancing Life or Playing God?
  5. Gun Control Laws: A Necessity or an Infringement on Rights?
  6. The Future of Work: Are We Ready for the Automation Revolution?
  7. Affirmative Action: Promoting Equality or Discriminatory Practice?
  8. The Death Penalty: Justice Served or Human Rights Violation?
  9. Privacy in the Digital Age: How Much Surveillance is Too Much?
  10. The Legalization of Drugs: A Solution to the War on Drugs or a Path to Anarchy?
  11. Immigration Policies: Open Borders vs. Strict Regulations
  12. The Role of NATO in Today's World: Necessary Alliance or Outdated Relic?
  13. LGBTQ+ Rights: Progress and Challenges
  14. The Gig Economy: Empowering Flexibility or Exploiting Workers?
  15. Universal Healthcare: Right or Privilege?
  16. The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Society
  17. Racial Profiling and Police Brutality: Addressing Systemic Racism
  18. The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Safeguarding Humanity's Future
  19. The Rise of Populism: Democracy's Savior or Demise?
  20. Gender Equality in the Workplace: How Far Have We Really Come?

Environment and Environmental Issues

  1. Climate Change: Immediate Action Needed or Overstated Concern?
  2. Renewable Energy: Can It Completely Replace Fossil Fuels?
  3. The Global Water Crisis: Solutions for a Thirsty World
  4. Deforestation: Economic Development vs. Environmental Preservation
  5. Plastic Pollution: Banning Single-Use Plastics
  6. The Impact of Fast Fashion on the Environment
  7. Geoengineering: Innovative Solution or Dangerous Experiment?
  8. Urban Sprawl: Balancing City Growth and Environmental Conservation
  9. The Future of Electric Vehicles: Will They Replace Gasoline-Powered Cars?
  10. Nuclear Energy: Clean Power or Environmental Hazard?
  11. The Role of Agriculture in Climate Change
  12. Ocean Acidification: The Silent Killer of Marine Life
  13. Air Pollution: The Health Crisis of Our Time
  14. Sustainable Tourism: Preserving Nature While Welcoming Visitors
  15. The Loss of Biodiversity: Consequences for Humanity
  16. Eco-Friendly Packaging: The End of Wasteful Practices?
  17. The Ethics of Animal Testing: Necessary Research or Cruel Practice?
  18. Carbon Tax: Effective Climate Action or Economic Burden?
  19. Green Buildings: The Future of Sustainable Architecture
  20. The Impact of Technology on Environmental Conservation

Political Debate Topics

  1. Should voting be mandatory for all eligible citizens?
  2. Is the electoral college an outdated system?
  3. Should there be term limits for members of Congress?
  4. Is political correctness beneficial or harmful to society?
  5. Should the government regulate social media platforms?
  6. Is universal healthcare a right or a privilege?
  7. Should the death penalty be abolished?
  8. Is nationalism a positive or negative political force?
  9. Should governments prioritize climate change policies?
  10. Is the current tax system fair?
  11. Should campaign finance in elections be reformed?
  12. Is democracy the best form of government?
  13. Should the government provide free college education?
  14. Is immigration beneficial to the economy?
  15. Should there be stricter gun control laws?
  16. Is the war on drugs effective?
  17. Should the minimum wage be increased?
  18. Is privacy more important than security?
  19. Should countries adopt isolationist policies?
  20. Is affirmative action still necessary?

Debate Topics Related with Parenting

  1. Should parents monitor their children's internet use?
  2. Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling?
  3. Should parents use technology to track their children?
  4. Is it ethical to genetically modify embryos?
  5. Should parents be held responsible for their children's crimes?
  6. Is spanking an acceptable form of discipline?
  7. Should children have scheduled or free play?
  8. Is co-sleeping with children beneficial or harmful?
  9. Should parents push their children to excel academically and in extracurricular activities?
  10. Is it better to be a working or stay-at-home parent?
  11. Should parents allow teenagers to have plastic surgery?
  12. Is it important for children to have chores?
  13. Should parents decide their child's religion?
  14. Is screen time harmful to children's development?
  15. Should parents be friends with their children?
  16. Is it ethical for parents to use surveillance apps on their children's phones?
  17. Should children be given sex education at home or in schools?
  18. Is it better for children to grow up in the city or countryside?
  19. Should parents enforce a vegan or vegetarian diet on their children?
  20. Is it important for children to learn a second language at an early age?

Technology Topics

  1. Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity?
  2. Should there be regulations on the development of AI?
  3. Is technology making us more alone?
  4. Should social media platforms censor fake news?
  5. Is the rise of digital currencies good for the global economy?
  6. Should technology be used to enhance human abilities?
  7. Is privacy possible in the digital age?
  8. Should governments have access to encryption keys?
  9. Is net neutrality necessary?
  10. Are self-driving cars safe?
  11. Is technology in the classroom enhancing education?
  12. Should people be allowed to use technology to create designer babies?
  13. Is the digital divide widening inequality?
  14. Should companies be allowed to patent genes?
  15. Is the gig economy exploiting workers?
  16. Should there be a tax on robots?
  17. Is virtual reality the future of entertainment?
  18. Are video games harmful?
  19. Should the internet be considered a basic human right?
  20. Is the reliance on technology diminishing human creativity?

Healthcare Topics

  1. Should healthcare be considered a fundamental human right?
  2. The ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide: Should they be legalized?
  3. The impact of social media on mental health.
  4. Vaccinations: Should they be mandatory for public health?
  5. The effectiveness of alternative medicine: A legitimate treatment or not?
  6. Should governments regulate junk food to combat obesity?
  7. The future of telemedicine: Will it replace traditional doctor visits?
  8. Mental health care access: Is it sufficient?
  9. The role of Big Pharma in healthcare: Savior or exploiter?
  10. Should genetic testing be used to design 'perfect' babies?
  11. The impact of climate change on global health.
  12. Universal healthcare: Pros and cons.
  13. The opioid crisis: Who is to blame?
  14. Should animal testing be banned in medical research?
  15. The rise of antibiotic resistance: A looming global crisis?
  16. Healthcare costs: How can they be reduced without compromising quality?
  17. The ethics of organ donation: Should it be 'opt-out' rather than 'opt-in'?
  18. The impact of aging populations on healthcare systems.
  19. Mental health vs. physical health: Is there equality in treatment?
  20. The role of AI in healthcare: A boon or a bane?

Debate Topics Related with Leisure

  1. The impact of video games on youth: Harmful or beneficial?
  2. Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in professional sports?
  3. The commercialization of holidays: Has it gone too far?
  4. Social media: Enhancing or detracting from real-life experiences?
  5. The future of books: Print vs. digital.
  6. Is travel becoming too commodified?
  7. The role of leisure activities in education.
  8. Should governments fund the arts?
  9. The ethics of zoos and aquariums: Conservation or cruelty?
  10. The rise of eSports: Legitimate sport or not?
  11. The impact of music streaming services on artists and the industry.
  12. The decline of traditional TV and the rise of streaming services.
  13. The role of hobbies in personal development.
  14. The importance of physical education in schools.
  15. The impact of leisure activities on mental health.
  16. Should extreme sports be banned due to the risks?
  17. The influence of celebrities on lifestyle choices.
  18. The gentrification of urban areas and its impact on local culture and leisure.
  19. The role of leisure in promoting social cohesion.
  20. The impact of tourism on preserving or destroying natural habitats.

Debating on Financial and Policy Matters

  1. Should the minimum wage be a living wage?
  2. The future of cryptocurrency: Revolution or bubble?
  3. Universal Basic Income: Solution to automation job loss or disincentive to work?
  4. The impact of tariffs and trade wars on the global economy.
  5. Should there be a cap on CEO salaries?
  6. The role of government in regulating the gig economy.
  7. Taxation of the wealthy: Fair share or stifling success?
  8. The effectiveness of economic sanctions as a foreign policy tool.
  9. The impact of student loans on the economy.
  10. Should financial literacy be taught in schools?
  11. The role of the IMF and World Bank: Helpers or exploiters?
  12. The future of work: How will automation change the economy?
  13. The ethics of offshore banking and tax havens.
  14. The gender pay gap: Causes and solutions.
  15. Climate change: Economic burden or opportunity for innovation?
  16. The impact of Brexit on the UK and EU economies.
  17. Should corporations be allowed to donate to political campaigns?
  18. The role of cryptocurrency in the future of finance.
  19. The housing market: Bubble, crisis, and regulation.
  20. The economic impact of immigration.

Debating on Historical Matters

  1. Was the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?
  2. Did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the start of World War II?
  3. Was the fall of the Roman Empire more due to internal or external factors?
  4. How did the Renaissance change the world?
  5. Was the American Revolution inevitable?
  6. Did the industrial revolution improve life or worsen it?
  7. Was the colonization of Africa justified?
  8. Did the Great Wall of China serve its intended purpose?
  9. Was the French Revolution successful in achieving its goals?
  10. How did the Silk Road influence the cultures it connected?
  11. Was Cleopatra a successful ruler of Egypt?
  12. Did the Vikings contribute more to exploration or raiding?
  13. Was the Magna Carta the beginning of democracy?
  14. How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand directly lead to World War I?
  15. Was the Spanish Inquisition justified?
  16. Did the Crusades have a positive or negative impact on history?
  17. Was the discovery of the New World more destructive or beneficial?
  18. Did the art of war change significantly with the introduction of gunpowder?
  19. Was the partition of India in 1947 necessary?
  20. How did the Berlin Wall symbolize the Cold War?

Controversial Topics for Fun Debates

  1. Should pineapple be allowed on pizza?
  2. Are cats better pets than dogs?
  3. Is it better to live in the city or the countryside?
  4. Should time travel be used if it were possible?
  5. Is reality TV good or bad for society?
  6. Should schools start later in the day?
  7. Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
  8. Should everyone learn to play a musical instrument?
  9. Is online gaming a waste of time?
  10. Should homework be banned?
  11. Is it better to be an early bird or a night owl?
  12. Can money buy happiness?
  13. Should all public transport be free?
  14. Is it better to read a book or watch the movie adaptation?
  15. Should superheroes be considered role models?
  16. Is it ethical to clone extinct animals?
  17. Should we colonize Mars?
  18. Is social media making us more or less social?
  19. Should coffee be considered a health drink?
  20. Is it better to travel alone or in a group?

EduBirdie Will Make Your Participation in Debates Victorious

Participation in any discussion is fun, as well as stressful activity. Students’ experiences significantly depend on their choices: Which debate topics should they discuss? How should they prepare for them? How should they behave during debates? How strong are their arguments with respect to those of competitors? Aiming at helping students prepare for their debates, we tried to share our experience while responding to these questions. We prepared controversial debate topics, but there are extra benefits you may gain upon asking EduBirdie writers for assistance. There is no need to spend time brainstorming and evaluating arguments. Instead, place an order and receive ready-made argumentation prepared by professional writer of your choice.

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