Summary
- What are debates?
- Why debates are important?
- Factors to consider before selecting a debatable topic
- Debate topics under Environment, Science and Technology, Education, Political, Health and Medicine, Internet, Fun debate topics
Before we delve into good topics that are debatable, we must first understand the meaning of the term debate and why debating is important in schools and colleges.
In simple words, a debate can be described as a discussion between two or more people or groups of people. Debates are usually disputable topics with one group arguing for and the other against the topic.
The need for including debates in the education system today is imperative. Quoting the former President of the United States of America “When students participate in debate, they learn to study issues in depth and form perspectives, a skill I use every day in the Senate.”
Let’s look at some of the advantages of organising debates amongst students:
- Provides scope for free thought
- Improves language
- Enhances communication skills
- Teaches survival skills
- Teaches how to gather information and process it
- Learn healthy competition
- Improves critical and analytical thinking skills
- Ignites the senses
As a teacher or host of a debate session, you might wonder what are the best debatable topics for discussion.
9 Things to Keep in Mind Before Selecting Debating Topics for Students
Deciding on the best debatable topics for group discussions depends on several factors. One must always keep in mind certain points before selecting debating topics for students.
1. The Age Group of Students
Select a topic that is age-appropriate. Challenging students to a topic far beyond or below their age may result in a quick loss of interest for the students.
2. Significance of Subject Matter
The subject matter of the debate must be significant. That is to say, in all probabilities, the topic must be relevant and thought-provoking.
3. Avoid Controversial Subjects
One of the foremost rules before choosing debatable topics for group discussions is that the topic should not be controversial or personal. No debate or discussion must hurt the sentiment of a person or group of people.
4. Choose a Topic that Remains Challenging Enough Throughout
Keep your topics challenging enough to be engaging throughout the time of the debate. At the same time make certain that the topic is significant and relatable to the particular age group.
5. Availability of Ample Information
While selecting debatable topics for discussion ensure that there is the availability of information from different sources.
Arriving at these sources is the task of the student, but ensuring that ample information is available is a point of consideration before choosing debating topics for students.
Also remember, debates are usually based on hard facts and not flowery information from unreliable sources. Therefore, it is necessary to find a topic that has access to verified facts.
6. Entertaining
Debates and discussions organised at a school or college level must be engaging and entertaining for the debaters as well as the spectators.
A bored audience or disinterested debaters can spoil the entire event.
7. Dissemination of Information
The aim of a debate is not only to result in a clear-cut winner but also to disseminate as much information as possible to the opponent team, audience, judges, and other listeners.
Therefore it is necessary to choose a debatable topic wisely so that audiences are not only educated but also entertained. The purpose of debates is to explore issues, not end them.
8. Trending
Some of the best debate topics of university students are usually the ones that are “in the news.” While selecting debatable topics for discussions, it is advisable to opt for topics that are in the current state of affairs.
9. Equally Strong Sides
Debatable topics must have equally strong pointers on both sides of the scale. That is the arguments for both, for and against, must be strong enough to keep the discussion going. Both sides must be able to feel that they are “right” and prove their stand.
Choosing the right kind of debatable topics for discussion results in lively discussions and a competitive yet cheerful atmosphere.
Good Topics that Are Debatable
Through this blog, we have enumerated some of the best debate topics for university students.
For the sake of convenience, we have divided the topics under numerous headings for easy location of topics based on the subject matter.
1. Environmental Concerns
- A blanket ban on the use of plastic bags. Yes or no?
- Vegetarianism- the need of the hour. Yes or No?
- Should animals be used for scientific advancements?
- Solar energy- the next alternative. Yes or No?
- Climate change- an imminent problem. Yes or no?
- Should the construction of tall storey buildings be curbed?
- Should garbage and waste from homes be treated at the source?
- Human activity-the cause of global warming. Discuss.
- Electrical fencing for protection of agricultural land from wild animals. Yes or No?
- Electric cars. The sustainable solution to environmental protection. Yes or No?
- Ban mining and oil drilling. Yes or No?
- Zoos. Yes or No?
2. Science and Technology
- Gender testing must be banned all over the world. Yes or No?
- Artificial Intelligence- a boon or a bane?
- Genetic engineering. Yes or No?
- Mobile towers generate harmful radiation. Yes or no?
- Smartphones- the biggest invention of our times. Yes or No?
- Alternative planets for human settlement. Yes or No?
- Self-driving cars. How safe are they?
- Robots will take over human activity. True or false?
- Nature and technology. Can they co-exist?
- Do laws need to change with technological advancements?
- Google- the best search engine. Yes or No?
- Should children use smart devices? Discuss
3. Education
- Online Vs Traditional learning
- Importance of excursions in curriculum
- Should art music and dance be included in the school curriculum?
- Schools focus more on theory rather than knowledge. Discuss
- Uniforms in school. Yes or no?
- Schools must modify working hours in a day. Yes, or no?
- Private schools or public schools?
- Should certain aspects of Private schools also be governed by the State?
- Change in the current grading system is necessary. Yes or No?
- Learning a foreign language in school. Necessary or not?
- Homeschooling. Yes or No?
- Homework. Required or not?
4. Political
- Does your vote matter?
- Voting age. Appropriate or not?
- Tax policies. Outdated or not?
- Democracy is the best form of government. Yes or No?
- Freedom of speech is only on paper. True or false?
- Political rallies must be banned. Yes or No?
- Anti defection laws. Necessary or not?
- Colonization. A boon or a bane?
5. Health and Medicine
- A complete ban on the import of cigarettes. Yes or No?
- Influenza shots are to be administered in schools. Agree or disagree?
- Insurance coverage to all. Yes or No?
- Over-the-counter medications should be banned completely. Yes or no?
- The age for drinking alcohol must be raised. Agree or disagree?
- Alternative medicine. A cure or not?
- Euthanasia. Justified or Not?
- Abortion laws must be modified. Yes or no?
- Medicine information must be banned from display on the internet. Yes or No?
6. Internet Debates
- The internet has resulted in the loss to small traders and sellers. True or false?
- CBFC ratings for movies on the OTT platform. Yes or no?
- Freedom of speech on social media. Required or not?
7. Debate Topics for Fun
Many times debates can end up being harsh and serious. This occurs when the topic of discussion is serious.
If you have a class that wants to have a discussion that is more fun and entertaining rather than being consequential, then relaxing and leisure debate topics are the best choice.
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Here are a few fun debate topics for students:
- Are women smarter than men?
- Are men stronger than women?
- Celebrities. Role models or not?
- Advertisement hoardings. A big distraction for drivers and pedestrians. Yes or No?
- Ban homework from schools. Discuss
- Examinations must be eliminated from the school level. Yes or No?
- Superheroes- misleading the youth or not?
- Social networking. A boon or a bane?
- The earth. Creation of nature or God?
- Juvenile convicts- Time to change the approach. Yes or No?
- Should learning nursery rhymes be banned?
Conclusion
Whatever the debate topic. Debate topics must certainly be interesting, entertaining, and relevant.
It should be able to capture the attention of listeners and create an atmosphere of enthusiasm from the students, otherwise, debate topics will be bland.
Deliberation and debate is the way you stir the soul of democracy.
