Igniting Argument: Debate Topics for High School Students

Debate offers high schoolers a platform to channel their developing maturity into well-reasoned, structured arguments, fueled by their passionate opinions and perspectives. It's a valuable tool for honing critical thinking, communication, and research skills.

The Enduring Value of Debate

The art of debating dates back to the lessons of Socrates, a testament to its enduring value. From the ancient Greeks and Romans, with their representative government and republican style of government, stemmed the very idea of debate. Participating in debates provides students with the opportunity to practice essential life skills such as conducting research, structuring logical and persuasive arguments, and learning how to grapple with complex current issues. Moreover, debate can foster collaboration with peers, build confidence, and enable students to become well-informed members of society.

Why Debate Matters in High School

Debate is one of the best ways to build high school students’ communication and critical thinking skills. While public speaking may be scary-in fact, according to The Washington Post, 28% of responders fear public speaking above all else-it is a necessary and useful skill that benefits students in high school and beyond. Debate provides the perfect opportunity for all students to practice essential life skills.

Participating in formal debate activities like groups or clubs has been shown to have real academic benefits. Students who join debate teams are 12% more likely to graduate high school. Debates teach students to research their topic, make informed choices, and argue effectively using facts instead of emotion. They practice using critical thinking to support their viewpoints with facts and evidence, and build listening skills that encourage empathy and tolerance. Debating will make you a better public speaker and raise your self-confidence. So, the next time your teacher or professor wants some volunteers to debate an issue, don’t be afraid.

Choosing the Right Debate Topic

Selecting the appropriate debate topic is crucial for engaging students and fostering a productive learning environment. When it comes to debate topics for high school, it’s all about igniting students’ passion for argument. High school debate topics can vary from lighthearted fun to downright controversial, but they all give students a chance to build real-world experience in thinking critically, speaking clearly, and disagreeing with respect.

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Factors to Consider

Interest and Relevance: The topic should be interesting and relevant to the students. Most teenagers have strong opinions about relevant topics in their everyday lives. You want everyone involved in the debate, from the actual debaters to the audience, to be engaged and on the edge of their seats. Living in the 21st century is something your students know a lot about!
Two Sides: The topic should have two sides that can be reasonably argued. There are some topics that most people will agree with: murder is wrong, stealing is wrong, etc.
Research Availability: Before you choose a topic, you might want to do some preliminary research to see what is available. For example, if your topic is “Students should be allowed to wear pajamas to class,” you may have a hard time finding studies on that exact subject. Not every argument needs a long preparation process. Sometimes you only have enough class time for a quick debate.
Seriousness vs. Humor: If you’ve been assigned to develop a debate for a class, you’ll have to figure out whether the professor/teacher wants funny debate topics or something more serious. Debates don’t have to always be super serious! Less-serious topics engage students and help them practice public speaking skills through a low-stakes activity.

Preparing for the Debate

A true debate takes more planning than speaking. Once you’ve selected your debate topic, it’s time to prepare. An interactive set of Google Slides introduces students to the basics of speech and debate in class. High schoolers create pros and cons for their debate topics with a resource that comes with everything you need for a full-class debate.

Research and Evidence

Evidence is important. Although debates should be passionate and opinionated, a good argument should be supported by data and other evidence. Read widely and smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking down the sources of each-these will be pivotal later, when you’re building your argument and require points of reference. Each one of our debate topics for high school students includes a link to a trusted, reliable source that provides pros and/or cons on the topic, plus evidence and information for students to consider.

Developing Your Argument

Look over the data you’ve collected and decide your stance. Firstly, you should be able to articulate your position in a single, simple sentence. Then, create an argument that progresses logically. What do you feel are the strongest arguments for your position? Outline the main points of your stance. Under each section, bullet point key pieces of evidence that support your claim. Once you have that, see if you can summarize the bullet point using a single word or phrase. This is essential to crafting a foolproof argument. Additionally, to help your listeners follow along, use signposts to indicate the direction of your claim. (Think of this as building your thesis.

Anticipating Counterarguments

Firstly, try to look at the debate from the opposing team’s side. Then, ask yourself: If you were arguing from their side, what points would you make? What is the rational counterargument to your claim, and how can you refute it? One value of speech and debate in the modern classroom is learning how to tell the difference between well-supported, well-structured arguments and arguments formed on fallacies and weak support.

Practice and Refinement

Run through what you want to say, and run through it again. Get out the recorder and listen to a recording of yourself. Does your argument make sense? Practice for speed, clarity, and flow. Perfect for AVID or any other speech-focused setting, this guided resource takes students through the process of quick debates.

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Creating a Respectful and Productive Debate Environment

Some teachers shy away from debate in the classroom, afraid it will become too adversarial. But debates teach respectful communication, showing students how to disagree with ideas-not people.

Tips for Teachers

Consider your students’ interests, background knowledge, and skill level.
Start small, and build confidence gradually.
Begin with team debates, where students work together to prepare and defend their point of view.
Pair kids with a partner for a debate-style private discussion, rather than asking them to perform in front of the entire class.
Show them how to prepare and rehearse their opening statements and key points, using notes to stay focused.
Help them understand reliable primary sources and how to recognize bias and misinformation.
Successful debaters rely heavily on critical thinking skills. Start by teaching students to think critically, learning to sort fact from opinion.

Integrating Debate into the Curriculum

Bring in debate topics after a persuasive writing unit. Use debate topics as journal prompts for high school when students enter the classroom. Invite 12th graders to craft a debate for their senior project. Turn your classroom into a newsroom. Use these free graphic organizers to help students with step-by-step debate prep, from opening and closing statements to evidence and rebuttals. If it seems like a lot, don’t worry! These free organizers are the perfect way to support students as they build debate skills!

Read also: Civic Engagement Outline

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