Choosing a debate topic depends on the pressing issues in the society. When these issues can be discussed, it will help the students to be knowledgeable and aware of what is happening around them. It has been shown that when debates are encouraged in schools (primary, secondary, or high schools), it will improve students’ critical thinking skills, articulation, research skills, and quick thinking.
A debate is an organized argument where the participants discuss a subject from two opposing sides. Each topic has two sides. Those who agree with the idea are on the “Pro” side. However, those who disagree are on the “Con” side.
The primary purpose of a debate is to convince the audience that your viewpoint is right. Moreover, a panel of Judges or moderators decides the winner. The participants presented their points in a formal debate.
How to be a very good debater
- Be audible in Speaking: Speaking loudly and clearly will help the moderators hear your compelling points and tell them how well-prepared you are for the debate.
- Be Concise: Directly elucidate your point so you can properly convey your intentions. For example, if you’re explaining a vital point in your topic during a debate, offering clear, straightforward steps can help get your points across to the audience.
- Maintain eye contact: This will help you focus without shying away. So you don’t always have to look at your teacher or somewhere in the distance. But instead, maintain eye contact with opponents.
- Be Confident: Being confident in your communication can grow your credibility. It can also help you properly communicate your ideas. Consider expanding your vocabulary and pausing whenever you are unsure of what to say. This can help you remember your thoughts and speak clearly.
- Be Organized: Try to organize your speaking points so that the audience and mediator will understand your intended purpose of the interaction. You can communicate clearly and organized by staying on topic and creating a purposeful structure for your conversations and messages.
- Be a good listener: During the debate, listen to your opponents when presenting their ideas, and write down their major arguments so you can oppose them on their key argument. This should only be done constructively and should be based on your ability.
- Be polite: Avoid yelling at your opponent(s) and keep things calm.
Types Of Debate Topics By Format
- Team Policy Debate
- Cross-Examination Debate
- Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- Spontaneous Argumentation
- Controversial debate
- Persuasive Debate
Team Policy Debate: A policy debate is a two-on-two debate where an affirmative team proposes a plan, and the negative team argues why that plan should not be adopted.
Cross-Examination Debate: It is a time between speeches where opponents ask each other questions to clarify and better understand each other’s case (and, if all goes well, an important concession for you to win the debate).
Persuasive Debate Topics: The core aim of such topics is to persuade the listeners. Persuasive debate themes have to tackle a problem or subject that people are interested in, and it also has to be something you are individually interested and knowledgeable in.
Controversial Debate Topics: The primary feature of such topics is that they are always challenging for a student – controversial debate topics generally tackle vital and powerful themes and have lots of space for arguments. A good controversial theme arouses diverse views among the people and makes them come up with questions that can’t have one precise answer.
Argumentative Debate Topics: This covers some of the issues, problems, phenomena, or subjects that you can work on. When selecting such topics, you must be ready to do in-depth research and study materials and pick arguments from time-tested and unfailing sources to aid your ideas.
Read: Essay Competitions in Nigeria
Debate Topics For Primary Schools
Kindly note that any of these debate topics can be used in Nigeria
- Are public schools better than private primary schools?
- Who is responsible for student failure – parents or teachers?
- Should sex education be encouraged in schools?
- Is male education better than female education?
- Education is better than money?
- Female education is better than male education
- Is democracy the best form of government?
- Are single-sex schools better than mixed-sex schools?
- Are Farmers better than Teachers?
- Should school managements allow religion activities in school?
- Democratic government or Military government – which is better?
- Does school location affect student learning?
- Is homeschooling better for pupils?
- Should the age for drinking alcohol be raised?
- Should School uniforms be abolished?
- Is paying tax to the government fair or not?
- Do video games promote violence?
- Should an embryo be considered a person?
- Should rapists face a death penalty?
- Should a person who kills be killed?
- Can alternative energy replace fossil fuels?
- Should parents decide on career choices for their children?
- Is sex education for teens advisable?
- Should the distinction between males and females be allowed in sports?
- Should girls be allowed to play all sports?
- Is football a dangerous game?
- Is cricket better than netball?
- Indecent dressing schools
- Beauty pageants do more good than harm.
- attending parties in school should be stopped
- Being unwanted is the most terrible of diseases.
- Birth control/education in schools BU should be a “wet” campus
- Boys are higher achievers than girls.
- Businesses should not place advertisements in schools.
- Cable TV has done more damage than good.
- Which is the best profession?
- Capital punishment is unjust and degrading.
- what’s the most important thing in life
- Celebrities should not be role models.
- Cellular phones should be allowed in schools.
- Wearing a uniform in school is necessary?
- College athletes should be paid.
- Community service should be mandatory in high school.
- Congress should pass the “Clear Skies” initiative.
- Consumers should not purchase SUVs.
- Corporal punishment of children should be illegal.
- Corruption, the abuse of public power for private gain, cannot be eradicated.
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Credit cards do more harm than good.
- Success and happiness, which is essential?
Read: Causes and effects of examination malpractice
