This article is written to give you ideas on good debate topics for your students. In most cases, choosing a debate topic depends on the pressing issues in the society and when these issues can be discussed, it will help the students to be knowledgeable and be aware of what is happening in their society. It has been shown that when debate are encouraged in schools (primary, secondary or high schools), it will improve critical thinking skills, improve articulation, improve research skills, and enhance quick-thinking among students.
What is Debate
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 decide the winner the participants have presented their points in a formal debate.
How to be a very good debater
- Be audible in Speaking: Speaking loudly and clear will help the moderators to hear your points of argument and will also tell how well prepared you are for the debate.
- Be Concise: Being direct and clear with your point can ensure that you properly convey your intentions. For example, if you’re explaining a vital point in your topic during debate, offering clear, straightforward steps can help to get across your points to the audience.
- Maintain eye contact: This will help you to be more focused without shying away. So you don’t have to look at your teacher or somewhere in the distance at all times. But instead, maintain eye contact with opponents.
- Be Confident: Being confident in your communication can grows your credibility. It also can help you properly communicate your idea. 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 in a clear and organized manner by staying on topic and creating a purposeful structure for your conversations and messages.
- Be a good listener: During debate, listen to your opponents when they are presenting their ideas, and write down their major arguments so you can oppose them on their key argument. This should only be done constructive 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
1. Team Policy Debate
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.
2. Cross-Examination Debate
It is a period of 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).
3. Persuasive Debate Topics
The core aim of such topics is to persuade the listeners. Persuasive debate themes have to tackles a problem or subject that people have interest about and it also has to be something you are individually interested and knowledgeable in.
4. Controversial Debate Topics
The primary feature of such topics as they are always challenging for a student – controversial debate topics generally tackle vital and powerful theme 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.
5. Argumentative Debate Topics
Argumentative debate topics cover some are of issues, problems, phenomenon or subjects that you can work on. Selecting such topics you have to be ready to do in-depth research, 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 of 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 that kills be killed?
- Can alternative energy replace fossil fuels?
- Should parents make the decision about career choice 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?
High School Debate Topics
- 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.
- Cloning (Human/organs/therapeutic)
- wearing of uniform in school is necessary
- the ugly side of cloning
- 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?
