essay topics about debates

Debate Topics

Need to write an argumentative essay? Preparing for an upcoming debate? ProCon.org has over 100 topics complete with pro and con arguments, quotes and statistics from experts, historical information, and other pertinent research.

Abortion – Should abortion be legal?

Alternative Energy – Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels?

American Socialism – Should the U.S. become socialist?

Animal Dissection – Should K-12 students dissect animals in science classrooms?

Animal Testing – Should animals be used for scientific or commercial testing?

Artificial Intelligence – Is artificial intelligence good for society?

Banned Books – Should parents or other adults be able to ban books from schools and libraries?

Binge-Watching – Is binge-watching good for you?

Cancel Culture – Is cancel culture (or callout culture) good for society?

CBD for Pets – Is CBD good for pets?

Cell Phone Radiation – Is cell phone radiation safe?

Cheerleading – Is cheerleading a sport?

Churches & Taxes – Should churches (including mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt?

College Education – Is a college education worth it?

Congressional Term Limits  – Should term limits be imposed on U.S. Senators and Representatives?

Constitutional Carry of Handguns – Should permitless, “constitutional carry” of guns be legal?

Corporal Punishment – Should corporal punishment be used in K-12 schools?

Corporate Tax Rate – Should the federal corporate income tax rate be raised?

Cuba Embargo – Should the United States maintain its embargo against Cuba?

DACA & Dreamers – Are DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the DREAM Act good for America?

Daylight Saving Time – Should the United States keep daylight saving time?

DC AND Puerto Rico Statehood – Should Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico be granted U.S. statehood?

Death Penalty – Should the death penalty be legal?

Defund the Police – Should police departments be defunded, if not abolished?

Dress Codes – Should dress codes be implemented and enforced?

Drinking Age – Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?

Drone Strikes – Should the United States continue its use of drone strikes abroad?

Drug Use in Sports – Should performance-enhancing drugs be accepted in sports?

Election Day National Holiday – Should the election day be made a national holiday?

Electoral College – Should the United States use the electoral college in presidential elections?

Employer Vaccine Mandates – Should employers be able to mandate vaccinations?

Felon Voting – Should people who have completed felony sentences be allowed to vote?

Fighting in Hockey – Should fighting be allowed in hockey?

Filibuster – Should the U.S. Senate keep the filibuster?

Fracking – Should the United States continue fracking

Free College – Should public college be tuition-free?

Fur Clothing Bans – Should fur clothing be banned?

GMOS – Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be grown?

Gold Standard – Should the United States return to a gold standard?

Golf – Is golf a sport and are golfers athletes?

Gun Control – Should more gun control laws be enacted?

Historic Statue Removal – Should historic statues be taken down?

Homework – Is homework beneficial?

Illegal Immigration – Should the U.S. government provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

Internet – Is the internet “making us stupid?”

Kneeling during the National Anthem – Is kneeling during the national anthem an appropriate form of protest?

Mandatory National Service – Should the United States have mandatory national service?

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) – Should medical aid in dying be legal?

Medical Marijuana – Should medical marijuana be legal?

Milk – Should humans consume dairy milk?

Minimum Wage – Should the federal minimum wage be increased?

Net Neutrality – Should the U.S. have net neutrality laws?

Obesity – Is obesity a disease?

Olympics – Are the Olympic games an overall benefit for their host countries and cities?

OTC Birth Control Pills – Should birth control pills be available over-the-counter (OTC)?

Penny – Should the penny stay in circulation?

Pit Bull Bans – Should breed-specific legislation (“pit bull bans”) be enacted?

Pokémon – Is Pokémon Go good for our society?

Police Body Cameras – Should police officers wear body cameras?

Prescription Drug Costs – Should the U.S. federal government regulate prescription drug prices?

Presidential Election, 2024 – 2024 Presidential Election Site

Private Prisons – Should prisons be privatized?

Recreational Marijuana – Should recreational marijuana be legal?

Reparations for Slavery – Should the federal government pay reparations to the descendants of slaves?

Right to Healthcare – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care?

Sanctuary Cities – Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?

Santa Claus – Is there really a Santa Claus?

Saturday Halloween – Should Halloween be moved permanently to Saturday?

School Uniforms – Should students have to wear school uniforms?

Single-use Plastics Ban – Should single-use plastics be banned?

Social Media & Digital Addiction – Does social media spur digital addiction and other social ills?

Social Security Privatization – Should social security be privatized?

Space Colonization – Should humans colonize space?

Standardized Tests – Do standardized tests improve education in America?

Student Loan Debt – Should student loan debt be eliminated via forgiveness or bankruptcy?

TikTok Bans – Should TikTok be banned?

Uber & Lyft – Are ride-sharing companies a benefit to society?

Universal Basic Income (UBI) – Should the United States implement a universal basic income?

U.S. Supreme Court Packing – Should packing the U.S. Supreme Court ever be considered?

Vaccines for Kids – Should states be allowed to mandate vaccines for school attendance??

Vaping E-Cigarettes – Is vaping e-cigarettes safe?

Vegetarianism – Should people become vegetarian?

Video Games & Violence – Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?

Voting Age – Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Voting Machines – Are electronic voting machines the best method for voting?

Zoos – Should zoos exist?

Archived Topics

Please note that ProCon no longer updates these debates.

ACLU – Is the ACLU good for America?

Big Three Bailout – Should the big three car manufacturers be bailed out by the U.S. government?

Born Gay – Is sexual orientation determined at birth?

Climate Change – Is human activity primarily responsible for global climate change?

College Football Playoffs – Should college football replace the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) with a playoff system?

Dakota Access Pipeline – Should the Dakota Access Pipeline be completed?

D.A.R.E. – Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)?

Gay Marriage – Should gay marriage be legal?

Congressional Insider Trading – Should insider trading by Congress be allowed?

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – What are the solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Obamacare – Is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) good for America?

Paying College Athletes – Should colleges and universities pay college athletes?

President Bill Clinton – Was Bill Clinton a good president?

President Ronald Reagan – Was Ronald Reagan a good president?

Presidential Election, 2008 – Which candidate would make the best U.S. president?

Presidential Election, 2012 – Which candidate should be U.S. president in 2012?

Presidential Election, 2016 – The candidates and where they stand on the issues

Presidential Election, 2020 – 2020 Presidential Election Site

Prostitution – Should prostitution be legal?

School Vouchers – Should states have school voucher programs?

Tablets v. Textbooks -Should tablets replace textbooks in K-12 schools?

Teacher Tenure – Should teachers get tenure?

Under God in the Pledge – Should the words “under god” be in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance?

U.S. Drone Shot down by Iran – Was the U.S. drone shot down by Iran over international waters?

U.S.-Iraq War – Should the U.S. have attacked Iraq?

WTC Muslim Center – Is it appropriate to build a muslim community center (aka the ”ground zero mosque”) near the World Trade Center site?

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Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]

© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved

• Social Media
• Death Penalty
• School Uniforms
• Video Games
• Animal Testing
• Gun Control
• Banned Books
• Teachers’ Corner

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101 Standout Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

An argumentative essay is just what it sounds like: an essay where you argue. You pick a topic, take a stance, research information to support your opinion, state your claims, and voilà! You’ve got your essay.

As simple as that may sound, writing a persuasive essay can be quite difficult for even very experienced writers. It takes excellent organization and planning to clearly address your thoughts and requires stellar research skills to find valid arguments that support your claim.

But before you can state your case, you first need to come up with the topic you’re going to argue about.

How to Choose a Topic for an Argumentative Essay

When you choose a topic for an argumentative essay, it’s important to keep these tips in mind:

• Your topic must be debatable. Duh... this seems obvious, but it’s worth stating. You need a topic that has (at least) two sides. Choosing a topic such as Puerto Rico is My Favorite Place is not really debatable. However, picking a topic like Puerto Rico Should Become the 51st State to Join the United States is something arguable. Some people agree with this statement, and others do not. There are pros and cons that can be discussed. ‍
• Write about what people are talking about. Watch the news. Browse the internet. It’s more engaging to write about something that’s relevant right now. For example, if you keep hearing a lot about immigration, you might choose a topic such as America Should Close Its Borders . Or if you read a lot about standardized testing in schools, you can create a topic like Colleges Should Eliminate Standardized Testing From Their Application Process . When a topic is current and intriguing, it makes for a more interesting essay. ‍
• Reflect on your interests. It’s always better to write about something for which you have a passion. If you love video games, you could write a persuasive essay such as Video Gaming is Healthy for Teens . If you’re passionate about sports, you could cover something like College Athletes Deserve to Be Paid . Researching and writing an argumentative essay takes quite a bit of time, so you should pick a topic you’re fascinated by to make the process a little less painless.

Forming General Arguments

To test whether or not the prompt you have in mind is up to snuff for an entire essay, you can test it out by putting it in a general argument.

Pick the topic you’re thinking about and see if it works as a two-sided debate in any of the following formats:

• Is…effective? Productive? Helpful? Worth it? (i.e. Is school choice effective?)
• Is…hurtful? Harmful? Wasteful? (i.e. Is fracking harmful to the environment?)
• …should be allowed for… (i.e. Alcohol should be allowed for all people who are 18 and older. )
• …should be forbidden for… (i.e. Football should be forbidden for children under the age of ten .)

If you can make a topic from any of these, you’re ready at this point to start outlining your essay . If not, you need to find a more specific starting point.

Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

Need some ideas to help you choose a topic? This list will get you started.

Note that these are listed as questions so you can take your own stance. For example, Should everyone have free healthcare? gives you at least two possible topics depending on your point of view: Everyone is Entitled to Free Healthcare vs. It is Not the Government’s Responsibility to Provide Healthcare for Everyone .

Laws & Policies

• Should the drinking age be lowered/raised?
• Should military participation be mandatory for all citizens?
• Should all Americans be required to speak English fluently?
• Should Americans be required to speak Spanish?
• Should teachers be armed?
• Should gun control laws be stricter?
• Should the military age be lowered/raised?
• Should there be limits to free speech?
• Should marijuana be legal?
• Should the internet be censored?
• Are gun control laws too strict?
• Should people of the same sex be allowed to marry each other?
• Should abortion be legal?
• Should laws be grounded in religion?
• Should churches be tax-free institutions?
• Should the voting age be lowered/raised?
• Should felons have the right to vote?
• Should the electoral college still exist?
• Should Puerto Rico become a state?
• Should all politicians have term limits?
• Should everyone have free healthcare?
• Should social security be privatized?
• Should the United States build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico?
• Should the minimum wage be raised?
• Should wealthier citizens pay more taxes?
• Should the use of the penny be eliminated?
• Should every citizen be required to vote?
• Is life better now than it was X years ago?
• Who is the greatest president of all time?
• Who is the most ethical/moral politician that has ever served?
• Is globalization a good thing?
• How can governments prevent World War 3?
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Are teenagers now smarter than teenagers of past generations?
• Does revolution result in real change?
• Should the U.S. get involved with other countries’ wars?
• Should cursive writing be taught in schools?
• Should students have to wear school uniforms?
• Should all students have free college tuition?
• Should teachers be paid more?
• Should K–12 school selection be based on where you live?
• Should all students be required to study abroad?
• Should year-round schooling be mandatory?
• Should high school start times be later?
• Should everyone be required to learn a foreign language?
• Should schools have mandatory metal detectors and security guards?
• Is standardized testing fair?
• Should prayer be allowed in school?
• Should sex education be required for all students?
• Are single-sex schools more effective?
• Should students be required to take a year off before starting college?

Science & Technology

• Should we invest in space travel?
• Are nuclear weapons helping make the world safe?
• Are video games harmful?
• Do video games cause children to be violent?
• Does screen time have an effect on a child’s social behavior?
• Should animals be used to test new products?
• Has technology helped or hurt society?
• Does technology make life easier?
• Are online relationships legitimate?
• Is cloning ethical?
• How can we best fight against the obesity epidemic?
• Should smoking be illegal?
• Should energy drinks be banned?
• Are diets helpful?
• Is technology making healthcare more/less personal?
• Should schools offer healthier food choices?
• Should doctor-assisted suicide exist?
• Should unhealthy foods and beverages be taxed at a higher rate?
• Should physical education be mandatory for everyone?
• Should recycling be mandatory?
• Should every household have a trash limit?
• Should people eat vegan to help save the environment?
• Should tax money be used to save endangered species?
• Should cars be outlawed in cities?
• Should plastic straws and bags be banned worldwide?
• Should there be limits on water usage?
• Should solar and wind power be used more often than other energies?
• Should college athletes be paid?
• Should players have to stand for the National Anthem?
• Do athletes have a responsibility to be role models?
• Who is the greatest athlete of all time?
• Is football too dangerous for young athletes?
• Should sports betting be illegal?
• Does playing a sport help build character in young children?
• Should professional sports have cheerleaders?

Pop Culture & the Arts

• Should beauty contests be terminated?
• Should artwork be censored?
• Do celebrities have responsibilities to be role models?
• Is social media helpful or hurtful?
• Do television shows accurately represent current American lifestyles?
• Should music be censored?
• Should people live together before marriage?
• Should children be put in the spotlight at a young age?
• Does money lead to happiness?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is there any time when breaking the law is okay?
• Is money the root of all evil?
• Are we responsible for other people or only for ourselves?
• Do the ends justify the means of any action?
• Can people ever change who they are?

Once you have chosen a topic that is relevant, debatable, and worth discussing, you are free to begin organizing your argumentative essay. Outline your opinion, do some research, and get started!

How to Write Essay Titles and Headers

Don’t overlook the title and section headers when putting together your next writing assignment. Follow these pointers for keeping your writing organized and effective.

Need a topic for your upcoming argumentative essay? We've got 100 helpful prompts to help you get kickstarted on your next writing assignment.

Writing a Standout College Admissions Essay

Your personal statement is arguably the most important part of your college application. Follow these guidelines for an exceptional admissions essay.

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

April 3, 2024

The skill of writing an excellent argumentative essay is a crucial one for every high school or college student to master. In sum, argumentative essays teach students how to organize their thoughts logically and present them in a convincing way. This skill is helpful not only for those pursuing degrees in law , international relations , or public policy , but for any student who wishes to develop their critical thinking faculties. In this article, we’ll cover what makes a good argument essay and offer several argumentative essay topics for high school and college students. Let’s begin!

What is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses research to present a reasoned argument on a particular subject . As with the persuasive essay , the purpose of an argumentative essay is to sway the reader to the writer’s position. However, a strong persuasive essay makes its point through diligent research and emotion while a strong argumentative essay should be based solely on facts, not feelings.

Moreover, each fact should be supported by clear evidence from credible sources . Furthermore, a good argumentative essay will have an easy-to-follow structure. When organizing your argumentative essay, use this format as a guide:

• Introduction
• Supporting body paragraphs
• Paragraph(s) addressing common counterarguments

Argumentative Essay Format

In the introduction , the writer presents their position and thesis statement —a sentence that summarizes the paper’s main points. The body paragraphs then draw upon supporting evidence to back up this initial statement, with each paragraph focusing on its own point. The length of your paper will determine the amount of examples you need. In general, you’ll likely need at least two to three. Additionally, your examples should be as detailed as possible, citing specific research, case studies, statistics, or anecdotes.

In the counterargument paragraph , the writer acknowledges and refutes opposing viewpoints. Finally, in the conclusion , the writer restates the main argument made in the thesis statement and summarizes the points of the essay. Additionally, the conclusion may offer a final proposal to persuade the reader of the essay’s position.

How to Write an Effective Argumentative Essay, Step by Step

• Choose your topic. Use the list below to help you pick a topic. Ideally, a good argumentative essay topic will be meaningful to you—writing is always stronger when you are interested in the subject matter. In addition, the topic should be complex with plenty of “pro” and “con” arguments. Avoid choosing a topic that is either widely accepted as fact or too narrow. For example, “Is the earth round?” would not be a solid choice.
• Research. Use the library, the web, and any other resources to gather information about your argumentative essay topic. Research widely but smartly. As you go, take organized notes, marking the source of every quote and where it may fit in the scheme of your larger essay. Moreover, remember to look for (and research) possible counterarguments.
• Outline . Using the argument essay format above, create an outline for your essay. Then, brainstorm a thesis statement covering your argument’s main points, and begin to put your examples in order, focusing on logical flow. It’s often best to place your strongest example last.
• Write . Draw on your research and outline to create a first draft. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. (As Voltaire says, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”) Accordingly, just focus on getting the words down on paper.
• Does my thesis statement need to be adjusted?
• Which examples feel strongest? Weakest?
• Do the transitions flow smoothly?
• Do I have a strong opening paragraph?
• Does the conclusion reinforce my argument?

Tips for Revising an Argument Essay

Evaluating your own work can be difficult, so you might consider the following strategies:

• Read your work aloud to yourself.
• Record yourself reading your paper, and listen to the recording.
• Reverse outline your paper. Firstly, next to each paragraph, write a short summary of that paragraph’s main points/idea. Then, read through your reverse outline. Does it have a logical flow? If not, where should you adjust?
• Print out your paper and cut it into paragraphs. What happens when you rearrange the paragraphs?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School, High School, and College Students

Family argumentative essay topics.

• Should the government provide financial incentives for families to have children to address the declining birth rate?
• Should we require parents to provide their children with a certain level of nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity?
• Should parents implement limits on how much time their children spend playing video games?
• Should cell phones be banned from family/holiday gatherings?
• Should we hold parents legally responsible for their children’s actions?
• Should children have the right to sue their parents for neglect?
• Should parents have the right to choose their child’s religion?
• Are spanking and other forms of physical punishment an effective method of discipline?
• Should courts allow children to choose where they live in cases of divorce?
• Should parents have the right to monitor teens’ activity on social media?
• Should parents control their child’s medical treatment, even if it goes against the child’s wishes?
• Should parents be allowed to post pictures of their children on social media without their consent?
• Should fathers have a legal say in whether their partners do or do not receive an abortion?
• Can television have positive developmental benefits on children?
• Should the driving age be raised to prevent teen car accidents?
• Should adult children be legally required to care for their aging parents?

Education Argument Essay Topics

• Should schools ban the use of technology like ChatGPT?
• Are zoos unethical, or necessary for conservation and education?
• To what degree should we hold parents responsible in the event of a school shooting?
• Should schools offer students a set number of mental health days?
• Should school science curriculums offer a course on combating climate change?
• Should public libraries be allowed to ban certain books? If so, what types?
• What role, if any, should prayer play in public schools?
• Should schools push to abolish homework?
• Are gifted and talented programs in schools more harmful than beneficial due to their exclusionary nature?
• Should universities do away with Greek life?
• Should schools remove artwork, such as murals, that some perceive as offensive?
• Should the government grant parents the right to choose alternative education options for their children and use taxpayer funds to support these options?
• Is homeschooling better than traditional schooling for children’s academic and social development?
• Should we require schools to teach sex education to reduce teen pregnancy rates?
• Should we require schools to provide sex education that includes information about both homosexual and heterosexual relationships?
• Should colleges use affirmative action and other race-conscious policies to address diversity on campus?
• Should public schools remove the line “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Should college admissions officers be allowed to look at students’ social media accounts?
• Should schools abolish their dress codes, many of which unfairly target girls, LGBTQ students, and students of color?
• Should schools be required to stock free period products in bathrooms?
• Should legacy students receive preferential treatment during the college admissions process?
• Are school “voluntourism” trips ethical?

Government Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. decriminalize prostitution?
• Should the U.S. issue migration visas to all eligible applicants?
• Should the federal government cancel all student loan debt?
• Should we lower the minimum voting age? If so, to what?
• Should the federal government abolish all laws penalizing drug production and use?
• Should the U.S. use its military power to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan?
• Should the U.S. supply Ukraine with further military intelligence and supplies?
• Should the North and South of the U.S. split up into two regions?
• Should Americans hold up nationalism as a critical value?
• Should we permit Supreme Court justices to hold their positions indefinitely?
• Should Supreme Court justices be democratically elected?
• Is the Electoral College still a productive approach to electing the U.S. president?
• Should the U.S. implement a national firearm registry?
• Is it ethical for countries like China and Israel to mandate compulsory military service for all citizens?
• Should the U.S. government implement a ranked-choice voting system?
• Should institutions that benefited from slavery be required to provide reparations?
• Based on the 1619 project, should history classes change how they teach about the founding of the U.S.?
• Should term limits be imposed on Senators and Representatives? If so, how long?
• Should women be allowed into special forces units?
• Should the federal government implement stronger, universal firearm licensing laws?
• Do public sex offender registries help prevent future sex crimes?
• Should the government be allowed to regulate family size?
• Should all adults legally be considered mandated reporters?
• Should the government fund public universities to make higher education more accessible to low-income students?
• Should the government fund universal preschool to improve children’s readiness for kindergarten?

Health/Bioethics Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government offer its own healthcare plan?
• In the case of highly infectious pandemics, should we focus on individual freedoms or public safety when implementing policies to control the spread?
• Should we legally require parents to vaccinate their children to protect public health?
• Is it ethical for parents to use genetic engineering to create “designer babies” with specific physical and intellectual traits?
• Should the government fund research on embryonic stem cells for medical treatments?
• Should the government legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients?
• Should organ donation be mandatory?
• Is cloning animals ethical?
• Should cancer screenings start earlier? If so, what age?
• Is surrogacy ethical?
• Should birth control require a prescription?
• Should minors have access to emergency contraception?
• Should hospitals be for-profit or nonprofit institutions?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics — Continued

Social media argumentative essay topics.

• Should the federal government increase its efforts to minimize the negative impact of social media?
• Do social media and smartphones strengthen one’s relationships?
• Should antitrust regulators take action to limit the size of big tech companies?
• Should social media platforms ban political advertisements?
• Should the federal government hold social media companies accountable for instances of hate speech discovered on their platforms?
• Do apps such as TikTok and Instagram ultimately worsen the mental well-being of teenagers?
• Should governments oversee how social media platforms manage their users’ data?
• Should social media platforms like Facebook enforce a minimum age requirement for users?
• Should social media companies be held responsible for cases of cyberbullying?
• Should the United States ban TikTok?
• Is social media harmful to children?
• Should employers screen applicants’ social media accounts during the hiring process?

Religion Argument Essay Topics

• Should religious institutions be tax-exempt?
• Should religious symbols such as the hijab or crucifix be allowed in public spaces?
• Should religious freedoms be protected, even when they conflict with secular laws?
• Should the government regulate religious practices?
• Should we allow churches to engage in political activities?
• Religion: a force for good or evil in the world?
• Should the government provide funding for religious schools?
• Is it ethical for healthcare providers to deny abortions based on religious beliefs?
• Should religious organizations be allowed to discriminate in their hiring practices?
• Should we allow people to opt out of medical treatments based on their religious beliefs?
• Should the U.S. government hold religious organizations accountable for cases of sexual abuse within their community?
• Should religious beliefs be exempt from anti-discrimination laws?
• Should religious individuals be allowed to refuse services to others based on their beliefs or lifestyles? (As in this famous case .)
• Should the US ban religion-based federal holidays?
• Should public schools be allowed to teach children about religious holidays?

Science Argument Essay Topics

• Would the world be safer if we eliminated nuclear weapons?
• Should scientists bring back extinct animals? If so, which ones?
• Should we hold companies fiscally responsible for their carbon footprint?
• Should we ban pesticides in favor of organic farming methods?
• Should the federal government ban all fossil fuels, despite the potential economic impact on specific industries and communities?
• What renewable energy source should the U.S. invest more money in?
• Should the FDA outlaw GMOs?
• Should we worry about artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence?
• Should the alternative medicine industry be more stringently regulated?
• Is colonizing Mars a viable option?
• Is the animal testing worth the potential to save human lives?

Sports Argument Essay Topics

• Should colleges compensate student-athletes?
• How should sports teams and leagues address the gender pay gap?
• Should youth sports teams do away with scorekeeping?
• Should we ban aggressive contact sports like boxing and MMA?
• Should professional sports associations mandate that athletes stand during the national anthem?
• Should high schools require their student-athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
• Should transgender athletes compete in sports according to their gender identity?
• Should schools ban football due to the inherent danger it poses to players?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Do participation trophies foster entitlement and unrealistic expectations?
• Should sports teams be divided by gender?
• Should professional athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympics?
• Should women be allowed on NFL teams?

Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should sites like DALL-E compensate the artists whose work it was trained on?
• Should the federal government make human exploration of space a more significant priority?
• Is it ethical for the government to use surveillance technology to monitor citizens?
• Should websites require proof of age from their users? If so, what age?
• Should we consider A.I.-generated images and text pieces of art?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology violate individuals’ privacy?
• Is online learning as effective as in-person learning?
• Does computing harm the environment?
• Should buying, sharing, and selling collected personal data be illegal?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents?
• Should private jets be banned?
• Do violent video games contribute to real-life violence?

Business Argument Essay Topics

• Should the U.S. government phase out the use of paper money in favor of a fully digital currency system?
• Should the federal government abolish its patent and copyright laws?
• Should we replace the Federal Reserve with free-market institutions?
• Is free-market ideology responsible for the U.S. economy’s poor performance over the past decade?
• Will cryptocurrencies overtake natural resources like gold and silver?
• Is capitalism the best economic system? What system would be better?
• Should the U.S. government enact a universal basic income?
• Should we require companies to provide paid parental leave to their employees?
• Should the government raise the minimum wage? If so, to what?
• Should antitrust regulators break up large companies to promote competition?
• Is it ethical for companies to prioritize profits over social responsibility?
• Should gig-economy workers like Uber and Lyft drivers be considered employees or independent contractors?
• Should the federal government regulate the gig economy to ensure fair treatment of workers?
• Should the government require companies to disclose the environmental impact of their products?
• Should companies be allowed to fire employees based on political views or activities?
• Should tipping practices be phased out?
• Should employees who choose not to have children be given the same amount of paid leave as parents?
• Should MLMs (multi-level marketing companies) be illegal?
• Should employers be allowed to factor tattoos and personal appearance into hiring decisions?

In Conclusion – Argument Essay Topics

Using the tips above, you can effectively structure and pen a compelling argumentative essay that will wow your instructor and classmates. Remember to craft a thesis statement that offers readers a roadmap through your essay, draw on your sources wisely to back up any claims, and read through your paper several times before it’s due to catch any last-minute proofreading errors. With time, diligence, and patience, your essay will be the most outstanding assignment you’ve ever turned in…until the next one rolls around.

Looking for more fresh and engaging topics for use in the classroom? You might consider checking out the following:

• 125 Good Debate Topics for High School Students
• 150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics
• 7 Best Places to Study
• Guide to the IB Extended Essay
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay
• AP Lit Reading List
• How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
• 49 Most Interesting Biology Research Topics
• High School Success

Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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205 Controversial Topics for your Essay, Speech, or Debate

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Do you think social media platforms should censor politicians? No matter how important you feel this issue is relative to other issues of the day, you’re likely to have an opinion one way or the other. Why? Because it’s a controversial matter, and it immediately pushes some buttons in our brains.

What makes issues like this so engaging?

Controversial topics have two features that almost instantly grab people’s attention. On one side, they are both simple and familiar, and so are understandable without any effort. On the other side, they touch on sensitive matters that society as a whole has not yet come to terms with. This makes them tickle our inherent desire for closure. We want to make up our minds once and for all!

So if you’re looking for such a topic for your essay, speech, or debate, you’ve come to the right place!

We’ve compiled a list of hundreds of controversial issues organized by subject matter (You can visit our page on how to write a persuasive controversial essay if you want to improve your base skills). Whether you’re trying to come up with a topic for your science, psychology, history class – or nearly any other topic! – you’re sure to find an issue below that will keep your audience engaged, and even stir up some discussion.

In this article:

Political Debate Topics

Controversial criminal justice topics, controversial religious topics, controversial topics for teens, controversial science topics, controversial sports topics, controversial food topics, controversial nutrition topics, controversial animal topics, controversial topics in psychology, controversial relationship topics, controversial medical topics, controversial topics in nursing, controversial topics in biology, music controversial topics, controversial art topics, controversial history topics, funny controversial topics, what are the pros and cons of controversial topics.

As mentioned earlier, picking a controversial topic almost guarantees that you’ll command your audience’s attention. But such issues have downsides too. We go over the advantages and disadvantages of hot-button issues to help you make the right choice for your essay, speech, or debate.

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• Immediately engaging – Your readers or listeners are unlikely to doze off.
• Easy to find information on – You won’t have to look far to find credible information on controversial issues.
• Likely to keep you absorbed while researching – What’s interesting for your audience will probably keep boredom at bay for you too.
• Too sensitive for some people – These issues often have a strong emotional charge and may even be taboo for some, causing awkward situations.
• Hard to review all points – A huge debate has probably been raging on such topics, so it’s not so easy to cover all your bases and appear knowledgeable on the issue at hand.
• Hard to wrap up – These matters are controversial for a reason. It may be hard to come to a satisfactory conclusion, whether you’re presenting or debating.

Interesting Controversial Topics by Field

Below, we’ve compiled a catalog of fascinating controversial topics by field. Keep in mind that many of these spill over from one category to another, so there is some overlap. Is climate change a political or scientific issue? There’s a controversial question for you!

Controversy is where politics are born. There’s usually some point of disagreement about any matter related to public affairs – that’s why a politician’s main job is to debate and come to an agreement (ideally) on how to handle these issues. Or, as political scientist Harold Lasswell put it succinctly, politics is, “Who gets what, when, how.”

So political issues are controversial by definition. We’ve worked hard to provide you with the longest, most comprehensive list you’ll find anywhere, and any of these topics may be instantly captivating.

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Should there be a minimum wage?
• Should the government intervene in the free market?
• Should the US government intervene in foreign affairs?
• Should there be term limits for US senators?
• Should the Electoral College be abolished in the US?
• Are there exceptions to the freedom of speech?
• Should hate speech be banned?
• Should the government ensure the protection of privacy?
• Is the gender pay gap real?
• Does institutional racism exist in the US?
• Is affirmative action helping or hurting?
• Is immigration helping or hurting the US?
• Should all illicit drugs be legalized?
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• Should abortion be banned?
• Should there be stricter gun control laws?
• Should automatic weapons be banned?
• Should military service be mandatory?
• Should water be a commodity or a human right?
• Should the government forgive all student debt?

Is justice being served? Few things get under people’s skin as much as perceived injustices. We are more or less programmed to seek fairness both for ourselves and for others. That’s why, similar to political topics, criminal justice issues are naturally engaging.

Appropriate punishment is salient now especially in the US after years of debates and protests related to the killings of minorities like George Floyd, Michael Brown, and Tamir Rice. More recently, the storming of the US Capitol, the role the President’s words had in inciting the perpetrators, and how liable they are when following their President’s words, are also hot-button issues. It’s hard to go wrong with a criminal justice topic.

• Is the death penalty ethical?
• Should people be jailed for drug-related offenses?
• Should police officers be charged for inappropriate use of force?
• Why are minorities disproportionately represented in the US prison population?
• Why does the US have the largest prison population in the world?
• Should mentally unstable people be charged with crimes?
• Should underage repeat offenders be tried as adults?
• Should there be more than 12 jurors in a jury?
• Should felons be allowed to vote?

Religion is a sensitive issue everywhere. Since it often concerns people’s innermost beliefs and principles, it’s not difficult to capture your audience’s attention with a religious topic. But beware that it’s also very easy to offend someone if you’re not careful.

Take religious freedom, for example – a concept interpreted in very different ways by different people. When in 2012 a Christian baker in Colorado refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple, was he exercising his religious freedom or discriminating against LGBTQ people?

• Is atheism a religion?
• Does religion do more harm than good?
• Should creationism be taught in schools?
• Should there be religious education in schools?
• Should religious symbols be banned from schools?
• Should schools’ curriculums consider religious points of view?
• Should public prayer be allowed in schools?
• Should religious institutions pay taxes?
• Are most religions inherently sexist?
• Is Buddhism more peaceful than other religions?

The teenage years are a transition period between childhood and adulthood, which causes a natural struggle between treating teens as children or adults. Can we hold teenagers accountable for crimes they committed? Or should their parents be responsible? Issues like this make a lively debate inevitable.

• Should we lower the voting age to 16?
• Should we lower the drinking age to 18?
• At what age should teens be allowed to date?
• At what age is it appropriate for teens to have sex?
• Should sex education be mandatory in school?
• Should teenage pregnancies be terminated?
• Should teens have access to birth control?
• Is cyberbullying as bad as real-life bullying?
• Is peer pressure good or bad?
• Does social media cause an increase in teenage suicide?
• Are beauty pageants harmful to teenagers’ self-esteem?
• Should teens be allowed to keep secrets from parents?
• Should energy drinks be banned for teenagers?
• Should mobile devices be banned at school?
• Is the school grading system effective?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Should teens be allowed to get tattoos?
• Should vaping be prohibited for teens?

Are you looking for more controversial topics for teens? Check out our other article where you can find 170+ controversial debate topics for teens , as well as the dos and don’ts when debating controversial topics.

Science has a very specific way of addressing controversies – by looking at evidence. When scientists disagree on something, they have to back their views with data and logical arguments. But scientific questions are often taken outside the realm of the experts and turn into social, political, or economic issues.

That’s why it’s important to be familiar with the concept of false equivalence – a fallacy in which a flawed or misleading argument is presented as equivalent to a sound and logical one. For instance, scientists have shown that the preponderance of evidence points to the reality of climate change. Media outlets and some politicians, however, sometimes present the issue as not settled. No matter whether climate change is real or not, saying that a politician’s opinion is as valid as a scientist’s – when we’re talking about that scientist’s field – is a false equivalence. Issues like that are bound to create a heated (pun intended) debate.

• Can scientists ever be objective?
• Should corporations fund research?
• Should science be optional in school?
• Why are women underrepresented in science?
• Is STEM education more valuable than training in humanities?
• Should cryptocurrencies be regulated?
• Should net neutrality be restored?
• Should robots have rights?
• Is AI a menace to humans?
• Is AI the next stage in evolution?
• Is technology helping or destroying Earth?
• Can renewable sources of energy replace fossil fuels?
• Is climate change a threat to humanity?
• Is cell phone radiation dangerous?
• Is climate change reversible?
• Should all cars be electric?
• Is nuclear energy safe?
• Does alien life exist?
• Could alien life have found Earth?
• Should humans try to colonize Mars?

Professional sports hold a lot of potential to create controversy. Hardly a week goes by without some major sports issue making the news. Whether it’s deflated footballs, kneeling during the anthem, or equal pay for male and female athletes, sports topics usually carry an emotional charge as most people have a strong opinion one way or the other .

• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Are professional athletes paid too much?
• Are professional athletes good role models?
• Should college athletes be paid beyond scholarships?
• Should college athletes be tested for drugs?
• Is dance a real sport?
• Is video gaming a real sport?
• Is bodybuilding a real sport?
• Is cheerleading a real sport?
• Should mixed martial arts be banned?
• Should women compete against men in sports?
• Should female athletes be paid the same as male athletes?
• Should transgender athletes who used to be male compete in women’s sports?
• Do the Olympics do more harm than good for the cities hosting them?
• Are professional sports too damaging to athletes’ health?
• Is American football too dangerous for athletes?
• Should athletes who kneel for the anthem be sanctioned?

Sharing a meal with others unites us, but our opinions on food often divide us. Why is one part of the world starving, while another struggles with obesity? Is famine a result of a shortage or a distribution problem? Questions about food are important for humanity, which makes them compelling topics for discussion.

• Are genetically modified foods dangerous?
• Should genetically modified foods be labeled?
• Is organic food better than regular food?
• Is fast food responsible for obesity?
• Is food waste unavoidable?
• Is organic farming sustainable?
• Is factory farming unsustainable?
• Is grass-fed beef better than corn-fed beef?
• Is palm oil production causing deforestation?
• Can biotech foods save us from hunger?
• Should butter be stored in the fridge?

Nutrition is one of the most controversial scientific fields – dietary guidelines seem to be changing by the day. Is it OK to eat more than two eggs a day? Are carbs more unhealthy than fats? Issues like that are notoriously hard to resolve as even a carefully designed scientific study struggles to untangle the many factors that go into human health.

• Should we have nutrition classes in schools?
• Can a vegan diet help the environment?
• Is it healthier to be vegetarian?
• Is an all-meat diet healthy?
• Is dieting ever effective?
• Does fasting help or harm the body?
• Are gluten-free diets overhyped?
• Should we ban trans fat?
• Is sugar addictive?
• Are artificial sweeteners unhealthy?

Bring up the practice of eating dog meat in some countries to a dog lover, and you’ll more than likely evoke a very strong reaction. But how is it different from eating other social and intelligent mammals, such as pigs? There are many unresolved animal issues that can make for a captivating paper or presentation.

• Should animals have the same rights as humans?
• Should animals be considered individuals?
• Do animals have emotions?
• Do animals have consciousness?
• Is animal testing ethical?
• Should the fur industry be restricted?
• Are zoos helping or hurting animals?
• Should there be animals in circuses?
• Should we try to reverse extinction?
• Are humans destroying animal habitats?
• Is selective dog breeding unethical?
• Should bullfighting be banned?
• Should whaling be banned?

Many argue that psychology as a science is still in its infancy. There’s no consensus on a lot of the big questions related to people’s minds. Is there even a way to know what’s happening inside someone else’s head besides our own? A behaviorist would insist there isn’t.

• Is psychology a real science?
• Is depression a real disease?
• Are antidepressants effective?
• Is ADHD a real mental disorder?
• Is drug abuse a mental health issue?
• Is mental illness equivalent to physical illness?
• Should psychologists be allowed to prescribe drugs?
• Is prejudice against different people inherent?
• Is it ethical to “treat” homosexuality?
• Are social media sites addictive?
• Is social media connecting us or making us more isolated?
• Is pornography harmful to the psyche?
• Do video games cause violence?
• Is intelligence inherited?

Being in a romantic relationship involves constantly negotiating and renegotiating issues ranging from the most mundane to the most profound. On top of that, most adults are or have been part of a couple, making this a relatable and attention-grabbing subject.

• Is monogamy natural?
• Does divorce harm children?
• Should dating between co-workers be allowed?
• Should people date people much older than themselves?
• Is romantic love a prerequisite to marital satisfaction?
• Should arguments in a couple be avoided or encouraged?
• Should men and women have different functions in a relationship?
• Is it OK to keep secrets from your partner?
• Are long-distance relationships worth it?
• Is sex before marriage wrong?
• Is online dating good or bad?
• Are homosexual relationships natural?
• Should same-sex marriage be banned?
• Should LGBTQ people be allowed to adopt children?

Health is arguably the most important thing for a person. So it’s no surprise that we take issues related to health and medicine very seriously. Is there any point in prolonging a dying patient’s pain through life support? Questions like this are hard to give a definitive answer to, making them potent discussion topics.

• Are vaccines safe?
• Is Covid-19 manmade?
• Should immunization be mandatory?
• Should euthanasia be allowed?
• Is alternative medicine any good?
• Should healthcare be free?
• Is obesity a disease?
• Is circumcision healthy?
• Is stem cell research ethical?
• How harshly should medical malpractice be punished?
• Should Big Pharma be banned from charging too much for life-saving drugs?
• Should prescription drug manufacturers be held responsible for the opioid crisis?
• Should cannabis be prescribed as medicine?
• Should surrogate pregnancy be allowed?
• Should we use gene-editing in humans?
• Should the sale of human organs be allowed?
• Should genetic screening of embryos be legal?

If nurses are essential workers, why do they get paid so little? To get to the bottom of this, we need to go beyond the nursing profession and take a hard look at society as a whole. Besides, just like doctors, nurses face ethical dilemmas in their work every day, which creates a lot of room for debate.

• Are nurses compensated fairly?
• Should nurses’ shifts be shortened?
• Should nurses be allowed to prescribe drugs?
• Is the nursing profession better suited for women?
• Should nurses use artificial hydration and nutrition?
• Should nurses treat non-compliant patients?

Biology deals with nothing less than life itself! And what’s a more fascinating question than the origin of life? Although we seem to be far from deciphering this mystery, there are many other issues that both scientists and laypeople have good reason to debate.

• Is evolution up for debate?
• Did life emerge out of inorganic matter?
• Is there a viable alternative to the theory of evolution?
• How significant are the physiological differences between men and women?
• Is behavior determined by our genes or by our upbringing?
• Are there more than two genders?

If you’re a classical music lover, you’ll very likely scoff at the assertion that rock ‘n’ roll is the best musical genre. But who’s to say? Maybe someone will argue that there are objective measures of the quality of music. As with any issue that’s close to many people’s hearts, music can be an excellent topic for discussion.

• Is music getting worse over time?
• Is the pursuit of profit ruining music?
• Do music streaming services such as Spotify help or harm musical artists?
• Are violent or explicit lyrics harmful to society?
• Are rock stars a bad influence on children?
• Are The Beatles overrated?

Do you think Banksy will go down in history as one of the great artists, or do you see his works as cheap stunts? Either way, you’ll probably agree that art has changed almost beyond recognition since the time of Rembrandt. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is just one topic worth exploring.

• Is the value of art subjective?
• Should explicit art be censored?
• Who decides what constitutes art?
• Should an art piece always carry a message?
• Is contemporary art as good as classical art?
• Should any topic be out of bounds for art?

Hardly anyone would disagree that we should learn from history to avoid making the same mistake twice. But what exactly are history’s lessons is up for debate, and so make for great discussion topics.

• Are the two World Wars responsible for the relative state of peace since?
• Should the US pay reparations to African Americans because of slavery?
• Should Confederate statues in the US be taken down?
• Was Christopher Columbus a hero or a villain?
• Was the French Revolution inevitable?
• Is history always written by the victors?
• Is history bound to be repeated?

Are cats better pets than dogs? Does pineapple belong on a pizza? These are the kind of age-old debates we look into in our Funny Controversial Topics page.

Top 5 Extraordinary Motivational Speakers

130 Awesome Speech Topics for Kids

7 thoughts on “205 Controversial Topics for your Essay, Speech, or Debate”

Which is better, Chicago pizza or New York pizza?

Hey Nicole, just to answer your question personally I think Chicago pizza is too thick and I would choose New York pizza any day.

In my opinion Chicago pizza is clearly superior, and its thickness is one of its best attributes.

In my opinion New York pizza is clearly superior, and its thinness is one of its best attributes.

I second Chicago pizza lover’s statement, I think that Chicagos pizzas are much better!

In my very Italian opinion, true real pizza is Made in Italy only – the best. Cheers x 🙂

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Dive right into a deep discussion with Topic Templates!

150+ Unique Debate Topics That Will Spark Epic Discussions

Explore 150 fascinating debate topics, from politics to AI to silly banter. This list will provide engaging conversations and thought-provoking debates.

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Practicing debate is a personal growth powerhouse activity! It trains you to think deeply about a topic, communicate persuasively , and become flexible with your perspectives. It also trains your critical thinking and public speaking skills. 

While two people could debate anything, finding the right topic can bring passion and inspiration to the conversation, where there is a fire in the room, and everyone is learning and expanding their worldview.

Below, you’ll find all the best debate topics for different situations.

Debate Topics for Friends

Debating with friends can be a fun and provocative way to connect. Try any of these prompts with a friend. Consider flipping a coin to see who gets which side.

• Is it better to travel to a new place or revisit familiar destinations for vacations?
• Is it more fun to watch a movie at home or in a movie theater?
• Is it acceptable to double-dip chips in a communal dip?
• Is it better to have a large circle of friends or a few close friends?
• Is it more exciting to receive a surprise gift or choose your own present?
• Is it better to be an optimist or a realist in life?
• Is it acceptable to re-gift presents you received but don’t want?
• What’s better, jeans or sweatpants?
• Is it acceptable to break up with someone through a text message?
• Is it acceptable to pick friends based on how attractive they are?
• What’s worse, people who monopolize every conversation or people who only complain?
• What’s more important, success or happiness?
• Is suffering necessary for personal growth and development?
• Should art have a higher purpose to help people and society?
• Are AI-generated images considered art?
• Is peer pressure predominantly negative, leading individuals to make harmful choices, or can it also have positive effects by encouraging personal growth and positive behavior changes?

Popular Debate Topics

Whether you’re setting up a debate for a club, a class, or a friend group, here are some of the most popular debate topics of the day. These are also phenomenal debate topics you can use as an office activity.

• Should college education be free for all students?

Some European countries 1 https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/student-finance/how-much-does-it-cost-study-europe offer free college tuition for their residents. The top American colleges 2 https://www.hmc.edu/admission/afford/cost-of-attendance/ cost up to $264,000 for four years of tuition. Is it worth it?  

• Is climate change primarily caused by human activities?

Examining the causes of climate change sparks critical conversations on environmental responsibility, sustainable practices, and their global impact.

• Should the minimum wage be raised to a livable wage?

This debate explores income inequality and the well-being of workers, addressing social and economic implications for individuals and society.

• Is universal healthcare a fundamental right?

Universal healthcare debates touch on public health, social justice, and the role of government in ensuring healthcare access for all citizens.

• Is online privacy a thing of the past in the digital age?

Online privacy is important to about 90% of people 3 https://surfshark.com/attitude-on-privacy . So, this is a topic that almost everyone has some stake in. With the increasing prevalence of data breaches and surveillance, this topic explores the challenges of safeguarding personal information in the modern digital landscape.

• Should the government regulate the content on social media platforms?

This debate addresses the balance between free speech and curbing misinformation, hate speech, and harmful content on widely-used platforms.

• Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research?

The ethical considerations surrounding animal testing and the pursuit of scientific advancement raise questions about the treatment of animals and the value of research outcomes.

• Should social media platforms regulate political advertising?

If political campaigns have free reign on social media, we’re doomed to highly influenced and manipulated elections. Is it worth it?

• Should standardized testing be eliminated from education?

What is intelligence? How many types are there, and what are the best ways to measure it? Debates on standardized testing focus on its impact on educational quality, student stress, and alternative methods of assessing academic achievement.

• Is censorship ever justified in the media?

Exploring media censorship involves discussing freedom of expression, cultural sensitivity, and the need to protect societal values.

• Is space exploration worth the significant financial investment?

Should we solve our problems on Earth before bringing them to Mars? This topic considers the value of space exploration in scientific discovery, technological advancements, and international collaboration.

• Should there be a bigger tax on gas to dissuade driving?

The more the government taxes gas, the less people will drive. This will benefit the environment, but oil companies won’t like it. This debate addresses environmental concerns, infrastructure funding, and incentivizing alternative transportation methods to reduce emissions.

Debate Topics for School

Statistics show that debate is super positive for students. One study 4 https://www.dropbox.com/s/qlfetvs9tmq9amx/Journal-of-Adolescence-Mezuk-et-al%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0 found that of the students with the highest risk factors, 72% of those who participated in high school debate successfully graduated, while only 43% of non-debaters graduated.

Not to mention, the more debate rounds a student participated in, the likelier they were to graduate.

Plus, the more students engaged in debate, the higher they scored on the ACT.

This section is for teachers who want to bring some debate topics into the classroom. The topics will be salient for your students to ensure they feel invested and inspired in their debate.

• Should high schools implement mandatory financial literacy courses?
• Is the use of cell phones in classrooms beneficial or distracting for students?
• Should schools switch to year-round education with only 4 school days per week?
• Is homeschooling a better option than traditional schooling?
• Should students have the freedom to choose their curriculum?
• Is it ethical for schools to use surveillance cameras in classrooms?
• Should the school day start later to accommodate teenagers’ sleep patterns?
• Is the grading system an effective way to assess students’ abilities?
• Should schools eliminate homework assignments?
• Is it appropriate for teachers to use social media to communicate with students?
• Should schools teach comprehensive sex education?
• Is it beneficial for schools to have a school uniform or dress code?
• Is the use of corporal punishment in schools ever justified?
• Should schools provide free breakfast and lunch for all students?
• Is it necessary for high schools to teach courses on mental health?

Interesting Debate Topics

Here are some fascinating debate topics to get your brain turning.

• If an AI could write a better novel than any human, would it ever be worth reading human creative works?
• Is it ethical to use artificial intelligence in art and music creation without human involvement?
• Should all public transportation be free to reduce traffic congestion and emissions?
• Should there be a limit on the number of terms a politician can serve in office?
• Is art necessary for society?
• Is it acceptable to have a universal basic income to address income inequality?
• Should space exploration be a global collaborative effort?
• Should there be stricter regulations on social media platforms to combat misinformation?
• Can we prove the existence of other minds, or is solipsism a valid possibility?
• Are humans inherently good, evil, or morally neutral?
• Should there be a global ban on single-use plastics to reduce pollution?
• Is there a direct link between playing violent video games and real-world aggressive behavior?
• If something online is written with the help of AI, should it have a watermark to indicate this?
• Should vaping be banned in public spaces to protect non-smokers from secondhand exposure and discourage youth from taking up this habit?
• Should there be mandatory vaccinations for all children to prevent disease outbreaks?
• Is it ethical to use AI to create deepfake videos and audio recordings?
• Can we ever achieve true justice, or is it a utopian ideal?

If you liked those questions, here are 255 more philosophical questions .

Fun Debate Topics 

Sometimes, it’s great to turn the practice of debate toward topics that are just fun! Here are some topics that won’t help change the world but are fun to debate for the sake of debate.

• Is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping?
• Should “Rock, Paper, Scissors” be considered a sport?
• Is it better to be a night owl or an early bird?
• Should emojis be used in formal communication?
• Is it okay to recline your seat on an airplane?
• Is the Oxford comma necessary in writing?
• Is it better to binge-watch TV shows or watch them weekly?
• Is it acceptable to wear pajamas in public?
• Is it more fun to celebrate your birthday or someone else’s?
• Should clapping be replaced with jazz hands to avoid noise?
• Is it better to have a long or several short vacations throughout the year?
• Should “ dad jokes ” be considered the highest form of humor?
• Should adults have a designated nap time during the workday?
• Is it better to have a superpower of invisibility or time travel?
• Is it more fun to celebrate Halloween or Christmas?

Debate can be a super fun form of conversation. Though if you don’t just want to boost your debate skills but also your overall conversation skills so that you can build more meaningful relationships, you might enjoy this free training:

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Controversial American Debate Topics

For any US reader, the political climate is hot! Here are a few debate prompts that might stoke some lively debate.

They aren’t for the faint of heart and could hopefully result in some charged conversations—to create more understanding and insight.

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

At what age can people make informed, intelligent decisions? Should we empower youth more? Plus, the earlier people start voting, the more likely they’ll vote later. Some juicy topics! 

• Should there be stricter gun control laws in the United States?

This is a huge one, especially with all the shootings over the past years. About 40% of Americans 5 https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/ say there is a gun in their household. Gun control debates tackle public safety, the Second Amendment, and measures to reduce gun-related violence.

• Is the death penalty an effective form of punishment?

About 60% of Americans 6 https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/06/02/most-americans-favor-the-death-penalty-despite-concerns-about-its-administration/ support the death penalty, even though nearly 80% agree that there is some risk that an innocent person will be unrightly put to death. If that’s not grounds for an interesting debate, I don’t know what is!

Here are more stats:

• Should the sale and use of recreational marijuana be legalized?
• Is abortion a woman’s right to choose or a moral issue?
• Should hate speech be protected as free speech?
• Is affirmative action in college admissions fair or discriminatory?
• Should euthanasia be legal for terminally ill patients?
• Is the use of torture justified in extreme circumstances?
• Should the United States abolish the Electoral College?
• Should there be restrictions on immigration to the United States?
• Should the United States provide foreign aid to countries in need?
• Is the use of autonomous weapons in warfare ethical?
• Should businesses be required to provide paid parental leave?
• Is the surveillance of citizens by the government a violation of privacy?
• Should sex work be legalized and regulated?
• Should there be limits on the freedom of the press to prevent fake news?
• How much of addiction is due to individual choices, and how much is biology and trauma-related?

American Political Debate Topics 

Try out these topics for some hot political debates to explore your deeper philosophies around politics. These topics are specific to the US government system but might provide interesting debate to folks from any country.

• Should gerrymandering be eliminated from the redistricting process?
• Should the United States implement a national ID card system?
• Should the United States transition to a parliamentary system of government?
• Is it ethical for politicians to accept campaign contributions from corporations?
• Is it acceptable to use blockchain technology for secure and transparent voting systems?
• Should people be required to pass a basic knowledge test to be eligible to vote?
• Is it important to implement term limits for members of Congress?
• Should political parties be required to disclose their donors publicly?
• Is it acceptable for the government to monitor citizens’ online activities for security purposes?
• Is it ethical for politicians to use social media for campaign purposes?
• Is establishing a third major political party in the United States important?
• Should nations pursue disarmament and work towards a world without nuclear weapons, or should they maintain and modernize their nuclear arsenals for deterrence and security purposes?

Unique Debate Topics 

Try out these debate topics to explore new domains of thought and conversation that you might not normally touch on.

• Is it ethical to colonize other planets to ensure the survival of humanity?
• Should governments provide a universal basic income for all citizens?
• Should there be a legal limit on the number of hours people can work each week?
• Is it justifiable to create a global language to promote unity and communication?
• Should there be a tax on disposable plastic products to reduce waste?
• Should there be a cap on the number of children a person can have to control overpopulation?
• Should countries invest more in renewable energy sources, even if it leads to job losses in fossil fuel industries?
• Is it appropriate to use AI algorithms to match people with potential life partners?
• Is it ethical to use gene editing to eliminate hereditary diseases from the human gene pool?
• Should voting in elections be mandatory for all eligible citizens?
• Is it acceptable for companies to use AI to create personalized advertisements based on individuals’ online behavior?
• Should a global ban exist on developing and using autonomous killer robots in warfare?
• Is it justifiable to offer tax breaks to companies that implement environmentally friendly practices?
• Are zoos ethical institutions that contribute to conservation and education, or should they be phased out in favor of alternative methods for wildlife protection and public education?
• Is it ethical to use AI algorithms to predict and prevent crimes before they happen?
• Should higher education be more affordable and accessible, with reduced reliance on student loans, or is the current system of student loans necessary to support educational opportunities and institutions?

If you liked those questions, here are 110 more mind-blowing questions to get you thinking about life.

Funny Debate Topics  

These debate topics are sure to bring out some chuckles from you and your debate adversary. 

• Should ketchup be allowed on pizza?
• Is cereal a soup, a breakfast food, or something else entirely?
• Is a hotdog a sandwich, or is it in a category of its own?
• Should toilet paper hang over or under?
• Is water wet, or is it just a perception?
• Does a straw have one hole or two?
• Should adults be allowed to play with toys without being judged?
• Was Darth Vader a tragic hero or a villain who ultimately redeemed himself?
• Would an underwater life be more appealing than a life in space?
• Should GIFs be pronounced with a hard “G” or a soft “G”?
• Are cartoons more entertaining than documentaries?
• Is it okay to talk to yourself out loud?
• Should unicorns be considered mythical creatures or real animals that haven’t been discovered yet?
• Is it okay to eat fries with a fork, or do you have to use your fingers?
• Is it better to have a messy bedroom or a messy kitchen?

Easy Debate Topics 

If you’re new to debate or want some starter topics, here are some topics everyone can relate to. These topics are especially good for kids, high schoolers, and students.

• Is it better to have a dog or a cat as a pet?
• Should students have homework every day?
• Is it more fun to play indoor or outdoor games?
• Should kids be allowed to have a later bedtime on weekends?
• Is it better to read books or watch movies for entertainment?
• Should schools have a longer summer break?
• At what age should children be allowed to have their own cell phones?
• Should kids be allowed to have a say in family decisions?
• Is it important to have a regular exercise routine ?
• Should kids be allowed to choose their bedtime?

Silly Debate Topics

If you want to get silly, goofy, and playful, then try out these debate topics.

• Is it better to have a pet dinosaur or a pet dragon?
• Is it acceptable to wear a superhero cape to work or school every day?
• Should people walk backward instead of forward to see where they’ve been?
• Should all food be served in the form of ice cream?
• What’s better, a snowball fight in the summer or a hot water balloon fight in winter?
• Is it acceptable to have a day dedicated to wearing mismatched shoes?
• If everyone had to get 8 hours of sleep a night, would it help with world peace?
• Is it better to have a pet dragon that breathes confetti or one that breathes fire?

Frequently Asked Questions About Debate Topics

Debate topics can include climate change, healthcare reform, education, and the impact of technology on society.

Good topics to debate about encompass subjects like social justice, privacy in the digital age, and the influence of media on society.

Fun debate topics may revolve around topics like the best movie genre, the existence of extraterrestrial life, and the merits of pizza toppings.

Popular debate topics often include gun control, immigration policy, climate change, and the role of technology in daily life.

Good debate topics for high school students can include issues like the importance of standardized testing, the impact of social media on mental health, and the relevance of classic literature in the modern curriculum.

Takeaways on Debate Topics

Best of luck setting up your debate!

If you hope to become a better debater, it can also help to invest in your oration skills. If you’re interested, here’s a great article to help boost your public speaking.

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50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students

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• 11th June 2022

The goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to understand and support your position on an issue by presenting your reasoning along with supporting evidence. It’s important to find the right balance between giving your opinions and presenting established research.

These essays discuss issues around a range of topics, including science, technology, politics, and healthcare. Whether you’re a teacher looking for essay topics for your students or a student tasked with developing an idea of your own, we’ve compiled a list of 50 argumentative essay topics to help you get started!

●  Does texting hinder interpersonal communication skills?

●  Should there be laws against using devices while driving?

●  Do violent video games teach or encourage people to behave violently?

●  Should social media sites be allowed to collect users’ data?

●  Should parents limit how long their children spend in front of screens?

●  Is AI helping or hurting society?

●  Should cyber-bullying carry legal consequences?

●  Should Supreme Court justices be elected?

●  Is war always a political decision?

●  Should people join a political party?

●  Is capitalism ethical?

●  Is the electoral college an effective system?

●  Should prisoners be allowed to vote?

●  Should the death penalty be legal?

●  Are governments around the world doing enough to combat global warming?

●  Is healthcare a fundamental human right?

●  Should vaccinations be mandated for children?

●  Are there any circumstances under which physician-assisted suicides should be legal?

●  Should parents be able to choose specific genetic modifications of their future children?

●  Should abortion be legal?

●  Is it ethical to perform medical experiments on animals?

●  Should patients who lead unhealthy lifestyles be denied organ transplants?

●  Should doctors be able to provide medical care to children against their parents’ wishes?

Mental Healthcare

●  What causes the stigma around mental health?

●  Discuss the link between insufficient access to mental health services and the high suicide rates among veterans.

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●  Should cannabis be used as a treatment for patients with mental disorders?

●  Is there a link between social media use and mental disorders?

●  Discuss the effect of physical activity on mental health.

●  Should sports be segregated by gender?

●  Should male and female athletes be given the same pay and opportunities?

●  Are professional athletes overpaid?

●  Should college athletes be paid?

●  Should sports betting be legal?

●  Should online access to art such as music be free?

●  Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?

●  Are there any circumstances under which books should be banned?

●  Should schools be required to offer art courses?

●  Is art necessary to society?

●  Should schools require uniforms?

●  Should reciting the Pledge of Allegiance be required in schools?

●  Do standardized tests effectively measure intelligence?

●  Should high school students take a gap year before pursuing higher education?

●  Should higher education be free?

●  Is there too much pressure on high school students to attend college?

●  Are children better off in two-parent households?

●  Should LGBTQ+ partners be allowed to adopt?

●  Should single people be able to adopt children as easily as couples?

●  Is it okay for parents to physically discipline their children?

●  Does helicopter parenting help or hurt children?

●  Should parents monitor their children’s Internet use?

Proofreading & Editing

An argument could also be made for the importance of proofreading your essay ! The reader can focus more on your message when your writing is clear, concise, and error-free, and they won’t question whether you’re knowledgeable on the issues you’re presenting. Once you have a draft ready, you can submit a free trial document to start working with our expert editors!

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130 New Prompts for Argumentative Writing

Questions on everything from mental health and sports to video games and dating. Which ones inspire you to take a stand?

By The Learning Network

Note: We have an updated version of this list, with 300 new argumentative writing prompts .

What issues do you care most about? What topics do you find yourself discussing passionately, whether online, at the dinner table, in the classroom or with your friends?

In Unit 5 of our free yearlong writing curriculum and related Student Editorial Contest , we invite students to research and write about the issues that matter to them, whether that’s Shakespeare , health care , standardized testing or being messy .

But with so many possibilities, where does one even begin? Try our student writing prompts.

In 2017, we compiled a list of 401 argumentative writing prompts , all drawn from our daily Student Opinion column . Now, we’re rounding up 130 more we’ve published since then ( available here as a PDF ). Each prompt links to a free Times article as well as additional subquestions that can help you think more deeply about it.

You might use this list to inspire your own writing and to find links to reliable resources about the issues that intrigue you. But even if you’re not participating in our contest, you can use these prompts to practice the kind of low-stakes writing that can help you hone your argumentation skills.

So scroll through the list below with questions on everything from sports and mental health to dating and video games and see which ones inspire you to take a stand.

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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — 200 Ethical Topics & Questions to Debate in Essay

200 Ethical Topics & Questions to Debate in Essay

Ethical topics and questions are essential for stimulating thoughtful discussions and deepening our understanding of complex moral landscapes. Ethics, the study of what is right and wrong, underpins many aspects of human life and societal functioning. Whether you're crafting an essay or preparing for a debate, delving into ethical issues allows you to explore various perspectives and develop critical thinking skills.

Ethical issues encompass a wide range of dilemmas and conflicts where individuals or societies must choose between competing moral principles. Understanding what are ethical issues involves recognizing situations that challenge our values, behaviors, and decisions. This article provides a thorough guide to ethical topics, offering insights into current ethical issues, and presenting a detailed list of questions and topics to inspire your writing and debates.

Ethical Issues Definition

Ethical issues refer to situations where a decision, action, or policy conflicts with ethical principles or societal norms. These dilemmas often involve a choice between competing values or interests, such as fairness vs. efficiency, privacy vs. security, or individual rights vs. collective good. Ethical issues arise in various fields, including medicine, business, technology, and the environment. They challenge individuals and organizations to consider the moral implications of their actions and to seek solutions that align with ethical standards. Understanding ethical issues requires an analysis of both the potential benefits and the moral costs associated with different courses of action.

⭐ Top 10 Ethical Topics [2024]

• Climate Change Responsibility
• Data Privacy in the Digital Age
• Genetic Engineering
• Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• AI and Automation
• Animal Rights
• Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech
• Healthcare Accessibility
• Human Rights in the Age of Globalization

Ethics Essay Writing Guide

Writing an ethics essay involves more than just presenting facts; it requires a thoughtful analysis of moral principles and their application to real-world scenarios. Understanding ethical topics and what constitutes ethical issues is essential for crafting a compelling essay. Here’s a guide to help you address current ethical issues effectively:

• Choose a Clear Topic: Select an ethical issue that is both interesting and relevant. Understanding the definition of ethical issues will help you narrow down your choices.
• Research Thoroughly: Gather information from credible sources to support your arguments. Knowing what ethical issues are and how they are defined can provide a solid foundation for your research.
• Present Multiple Perspectives: Show an understanding of different viewpoints on the issue. This will demonstrate your grasp of the complexity of current ethical issues.
• Use Real-world Examples: Illustrate your points with concrete examples. This not only strengthens your arguments but also helps to explain ethical topics in a relatable way.
• Structure Your Essay: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. A well-structured essay makes it easier to present your analysis of ethical issues.
• Provide a Balanced Argument: Weigh the pros and cons to offer a well-rounded discussion. Addressing various aspects of current ethical issues will make your essay more comprehensive.
• Conclude Thoughtfully: Summarize your findings and reflect on the broader implications of the issue. This is where you can discuss the impact of ethical issues on society and future considerations.

By following this guide, you will be able to write an ethics essay that not only presents facts but also offers a deep and nuanced analysis of ethical topics.

Selecting the Right Research Topic in Ethics

Choosing the right research topic in ethics can be challenging, but it is crucial for writing an engaging and insightful essay. Here are some tips:

• Relevance: Ensure the topic is relevant to current societal issues.
• Interest: Pick a topic that genuinely interests you.
• Scope: Choose a topic with enough scope for research and debate.
• Complexity: Aim for a topic that is complex enough to allow for in-depth analysis.
• Availability of Sources: Make sure there are enough resources available to support your research.

What Style Should an Ethics Essay Be Written In?

When writing an ethics essay, it is essential to adopt a formal and objective style. Clarity and conciseness are paramount, as the essay should avoid unnecessary jargon and overly complex sentences that might obscure the main points. Maintaining objectivity is crucial; presenting arguments without bias ensures that the discussion remains balanced and fair. Proper citations are vital to give credit to sources and uphold academic integrity.

Engaging the reader through a logical flow of ideas is important, as it helps sustain interest and facilitates a better understanding of the ethical topics being discussed. Additionally, the essay should be persuasive, making compelling arguments supported by evidence to effectively convey the analysis of moral issues. By following these guidelines, the essay will not only be informative but also impactful in its examination of ethical dilemmas.

List of Current Ethical Issues

• The impact of social media on privacy.
• Ethical considerations in genetic cloning.
• Balancing national security with individual rights.
• Privacy concerns in the digital age.
• The ethics of biohacking.
• Ethical considerations in space exploration.
• The ethics of surveillance and data collection by governments and corporations.
• Ethical issues in the use of facial recognition technology.
• The ethical implications of autonomous vehicles.
• The morality of animal testing in scientific research.
• Ethical concerns in the gig economy.
• The impact of climate change on ethical business practices.
• The ethics of consumer data usage by companies.
• Ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care and assisted suicide.
• The role of ethics in the development of renewable energy sources.

Ethical Issues in Psychology

• Confidentiality vs. duty to warn in therapy.
• Ethical dilemmas in psychological research.
• The use of placebo in psychological treatment.
• Ethical issues in the treatment of vulnerable populations.
• The ethics of involuntary commitment and treatment.
• Dual relationships and conflicts of interest in therapy.
• The use of deception in psychological experiments.
• The ethics of cognitive enhancement drugs.
• Ethical considerations in online therapy and telepsychology.
• Cultural competence and ethical practice in psychology.
• The ethics of forensic psychology and assessment.
• The impact of social media on mental health and ethical practice.
• The use of emerging technologies in psychological treatment.
• Ethical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
• The role of ethics in psychological testing and assessment.

Ethical Debate Topics

• Is capital punishment morally justified?
• Should organ donation be mandatory?
• The ethics of artificial intelligence in warfare.
• Is euthanasia ethically permissible?
• Should human cloning be allowed?
• The morality of animal rights vs. human benefit.
• Is it ethical to use animals for entertainment?
• Should there be limits on free speech?
• The ethics of genetic modification in humans.
• Is it ethical to have mandatory vaccinations?
• The morality of government surveillance programs.
• Should assisted reproductive technologies be regulated?
• The ethics of using performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
• Should healthcare be considered a human right?
• The ethical implications of wealth inequality and redistribution.

Medical Ethics Topics

• Ariel Case Study: a Comprehensive Analysis
• The Case for and Against Daylight Saving Time
• Technological Advancements in Medical, Educational & Other Fields
• The Language of Medicine
• Medical Ethics: Beneficence and Non-maleficence
• Overview of What Sonography is
• The Use of Steroids and HGH in Sports
• Media and The Scientific Community Treat People Like Tools
• Informative Speech for Organ Donation
• Medicine in Our World
• The Origin of Medical Terminology
• Preserving Sight: My Journey to Becoming an Optometrist
• Case of Dr. Eric Poehlman's Ethical Violation
• Should The NHS Treat Patients with Self-Inflicted Illnesses
• My Education as a Medical Technologist

Ethics Essay Topics on Business

• Ethics Report on Panasonic Corporation
• Case Study on The ACS Code of Morals
• Differences in Business Ethics Among East Asian Countries
• Business Ethics in Sports
• Business Ethics in Different Countries, and Its Importance
• Selfless Service and Its Impact on Social Change
• Challenges in Doing Business Across The Border
• The Importance of Ethics in Advertising
• Ethical Issues that Businesses Face
• Profitability of Business Ethics
• The Law and Morality in Business
• How Ethnic Variances Effect Worldwide Business
• The Ethical Practices in The Business Sector in the Modern Economy
• Key Responsibilities and Code of Ethics in Engineering Profession
• Analysis of The Code of Ethics in Walmart

Ethics Essay Topics on Environment

• Understanding The Importance of Keeping Animals Safe
• The Importance of Treating Animals with Respect
• CWU and The Issue of Chimpanzee Captivity
• The Process of Suicidal Reproduction in the Animal World
• Analysis of The Egg Industry to Understand The Causes of The High Prices in Eggs
• The Dangers of Zoos
• Importance for Animals to Be Free from Harm by Humans
• Should Animals Be Killed for The Benefit of Humans
• Reasons Why Genetic Engineering Should Be Banned
• What I Learned in Ethics Class: Environmental Ethics
• Nanotechnology and Environment
• Review of The Environmental Protection Act
• How The Idea of Preservation of Nature Can Benefit from Environmental Ethics
• The Relation and Controversy Between American Diet and Environmental Ethics
• Green Technology

Work Ethics Essay Topics

• The impact of workplace surveillance on employee privacy.
• Ethical considerations in remote work.
• Discrimination in the workplace.
• An Examination of Addiction to Work in The Protestant Work Ethic
• The Work Ethic of The Millennials
• My Understanding of The Proper Environment in the Workplace
• Social Responsibility & Ethics Management Program in Business
• The Maternity Benefits Act, 1961
• The Issue of Stealing in The Workplace
• Chinese Work Management and Business Identity
• Ethical Issues of Using Social Media at the Workplace
• The Teleological Ethical Theories
• Learning Journal on Ethical Conflicts, Environmental Issues, and Social Responsibilities
• Social Media at Workplace: Ethics and Influence
• Ethical Issue of Employees Stealing and Whistleblowing

Ethics Essay Topics on Philosophy

• A Critical Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in Education and Beyond
• Overview of What an Ethical Dilemma is
• The Implications of Exculpatory Language
• Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-life Decision Making
• What I Learned in Ethics Class: Integrating Ethics in Aviation
• Doing What is Right is not Always Popular: Philosophy of Ethics
• An Analysis of Public Trust and Corporate Ethics
• Ethical Concerns of Beauty Pageants
• Simone De Beauvoir’s Contribution to Philosophy and Ethics
• The Impact on Decision-making and Life Choices
• Importance and Improvement of Personal Ethics
• Personal Ethics and Integrity in Our Life
• Analysis of The Philosophical Concept of Virtue Ethics
• Understanding Moral Action
• How to Become a Gentleman
• A Call for Emphasis on Private Morality and Virtue Teaching
• A Positive Spin on Ethical Marketing in The Gambling Industry
• An Overview of The Ethical Dilemma in a Personal Case
• Bioethical Principles and Professional Responsibilities
• Ethical Considerations in Counseling Adolescents
• Ethical Dilemma in College Life
• Ethical Theories: Deontology and Utilitarianism
• Issues of Fraud, Ethics, and Regulation in Healthcare
• Navigating Ethical Dimensions in Education
• The Ethical Landscape of Advanced Technology
• Research Paper on The Ethical Issue of Publishing The Pentagon Papers
• The Trolley Problem: an Ethical Dilemma
• Analysis of "To The Bitter End" Case Study
• Ethical Theories: Virtue and Utilitarian Ethics
• Feminist Ethics: Deconstructing Gender and Morality
• Is Deadpool a Hero Research Paper
• My Moral and Ethical Stance
• The Concept of Ethics and The Pursuit of Happiness
• The Ethics of Graphic Photojournalism
• The Quintessence of Justice: a Critical Evaluation of Juror 11's Role
• The Wolf of Wall Street: Ethics of Greed
• The Importance of Ethics in Our Daily Life
• Analysis of The Envy Emotion and My Emotional Norms
• The Topic of Animal Rights in Relation to The Virtue Theory

Ethics Essay Topics on Science

• The Cause of Cancer as Illustrated in a Bioethics Study
• Bioethical Issues Related to Genetic Engineering
• Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research
• The Role of Ethics Committees in Biomedical Research
• The Legal and Bioethical Aspects of Personalised Medicine Based on Genetic Composition
• The Ethics of Clinical Trials: Ensuring Informed Consent and Patient Safety
• Ethical Challenges in Neuroethics: Brain Privacy and Cognitive Liberty
• Gene Therapy: Ethical Dilemmas and Social Implications
• Overview of Bioethics The Trigger of Contentious Moral Topics
• The Progression of Bioethics and Its Importance
• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Medical Ethics
• The Drawbacks of Free Healthcare: Economic, Quality, and Access Issues
• Bioethical Issues in My Sister’s Keeper: Having Your Autonomy Taken to Save Your Sibling
• The Ethics of Biotechnology in Agriculture: GMOs and Food Safety
• Ethical Considerations in Organ Donation and Transplantation

List of Ethical Questions for Students

Exploring ethical topics is crucial for students to develop critical thinking and moral reasoning. Here is a comprehensive list of ethical questions for students to discuss and debate. These topics cover a wide range of issues, encouraging thoughtful discussion and deeper understanding.

Good Ethical Questions for Discussion

• Is it ethical to eat meat?
• Should parents have the right to genetically modify their children?
• Is it ever acceptable to lie?
• Should schools monitor students' social media activity?
• Is it ethical to use animals in scientific research?
• Should companies be allowed to patent human genes?
• Is it right to impose cultural values on others?
• Should the government regulate internet content?
• Is it ethical to have designer babies?
• Should wealthy countries help poorer nations?
• Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
• Should there be limits to freedom of speech?
• Is it right to use artificial intelligence in decision-making?
• Should we prioritize privacy over security?
• Is it ethical to manipulate emotions through advertising?

Moral Questions to Debate

• Is genetic modification in humans ethical?
• Should vaccinations be mandatory?
• Is government surveillance justified?
• Is it ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
• Is wealth inequality morally acceptable?
• Should education be free for everyone?
• Is it ethical to allow autonomous robots to make life-and-death decisions?

Ethical topics and questions are a rich field for exploration and discussion. Examining these issues, we can better understand the moral principles that guide our actions and decisions. Whether you're writing an essay or preparing for a debate, this comprehensive list of ethical topics and questions will help you engage with complex moral dilemmas and develop your critical thinking skills.

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110+ Controversial Debate Topics to Challenge Your Students

Don’t be surprised when the discussion gets heated…

It can be tempting to steer away from controversial debate topics in the classroom. But teaching students to discuss hot topics calmly and rationally is vital. Show them how to think critically about a subject, then use facts to support their point of view. These controversial topics can work well for classroom debates, persuasive essays , or fishbowl discussions .

Note: Each topic includes a link to an article from a reliable source that provides pros and/or cons to help kids make their arguments.

Education Controversial Debate Topics

Science and health controversial debate topics, civics controversial debate topics, social justice controversial debate topics, more controversial debate topics.

• Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
• Should schools eliminate dress codes?

• Are private schools better than public schools?
• Should schools be allowed to teach critical race theory?
• Are standardized tests effective?
• Should schools teach abstinence instead of sexual education?
• Should schools make condoms available to students?
• Is year-round school better for students?
• Should schools ban junk food?
• Are single-gender schools better for students?
• Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
• Should we make college free for everyone?
• Should we allow schools to ban books from their libraries?
• Does religion have a place in public schools?
• Should charter schools receive public school funds?
• Are school voucher systems a good idea?

• Is in-person school better than online school?
• Should schools have surveillance cameras in classrooms and hallways?
• Should schools install safe rooms in case of mass shootings or natural disasters?
• Should all teachers be armed in the classroom to help protect their students?
• Is it important for schools to provide mental health support to students?
• Should schools allow students to use phones during the school day?
• Is recess important at every grade level?
• Should we put equal value on vocational education and academics?
• Is homeschooling good for children?
• How much emphasis should school put on reading from the “canon” versus reading more contemporary voices?
• Should humans eat animals?
• Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
• Should we completely ban cigarette smoking and vaping?

• Should we ban plastic bottles and bags?
• Is it worth it to spend money exploring space?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?
• Are GMOs more helpful than harmful?
• Is animal cloning ethical?
• Should human cloning be legal?
• Should we use stem cells from human embryos for scientific research?
• Is it better to provide drug addicts with treatment instead of punishment?
• Should we ban the use of fossil fuels?

• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Will expanded use of artificial intelligence be good for humanity?
• Should all countries have to give up their nuclear weapons?
• Is universal government-sponsored healthcare a good idea?
• Should we ban testing on animals?
• Should net neutrality be mandatory for internet service providers?
• Is our society too reliant on technology?
• Can we truly do anything about human-caused global warming?
• Are electric vehicles better than gas-powered ones?
• Does our society have a harmful “diet culture”?
• Would taxing unhealthy foods help fight obesity?

• Can alternative energies replace fossil fuels?
• Is nurture more important than nature when raising a child?
• Should we lower the voting age to 16?
• Should we lower the drinking age to 18?
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Should all Americans be required to vote?
• Should we raise the driving age to 18?

• Is a progressive income tax better than a flat tax?
• Should parents be punished legally for their children’s crimes?
• Should abortion be legal?
• Would it be better to appoint Supreme Court judges for fixed terms?
• Should people have to take a parenting class before having a child?
• Should we legalize marijuana at the federal level?
• Would it be better to legalize, tax, and regulate all drugs (including alcohol) instead of banning them?
• Should the United States implement a universal basic income?
• Should we redirect some or all police force funding to social services?
• Do gun safety laws infringe on the Second Amendment?
• Should we require people of all genders to register for the draft?
• Should anyone over 12 be tried as an adult in court?

• Is it right to require people to take drug tests before receiving government aid like welfare?
• Should we do away with gender-specific public bathrooms?
• Is the local minimum wage truly a living wage?
• Why haven’t we had a female U.S. president yet?
• Should men be allowed to make laws that affect women’s bodies?
• Should the government provide funding for public art programs?
• Are there any reasonable limits to freedom of speech?
• Is security more important than freedom?

• Should we abolish the death penalty?
• Is a strong middle class vital to the economy?
• Should we make the path to American citizenship easier?

• Is the American justice system inherently racist?
• Will stricter gun control laws help stop mass shootings?
• Is it logical to continue building a wall between the United States and Mexico?
• How much of a problem is ageism in our society?
• Should felons be allowed to vote after serving their time in prison?

• Does socioeconomic prejudice affect our society?
• Should we automatically deport illegal immigrants, regardless of how long they’ve been in the country?
• What is the role of media in fighting systemic racism?
• Does segregation still exist in the United States?
• Are white-collar jobs better than blue-collar jobs?
• Does religion do more harm than good?
• Will we ever achieve world peace?
• Should parents use their kids’ cell phones to track where they are?
• Should we let young children play contact sports like football?

• Are the prices of pharmaceutical drugs reasonable?
• Who should cover the medical costs of people without insurance?
• Is video gaming a sport?
• Should parents be allowed to pierce a baby’s ears?
• Should we ban all violent video games?
• Are beauty pageants sexist?
• Should kids get participation trophies for sports?

• Should there be a minimum age for owning a smartphone?
• Is it possible to be an ethical hunter?
• What is the best way to deal with homelessness?
• Was Russia justified in attacking Ukraine?
• Should both parents receive equal amounts of paid leave when they have or adopt a child?
• Are stereotypes ever right?
• Do people have a responsibility to step in when they see a crime in action?
• Are “Stand Your Ground” laws effective?
• Is there any benefit to teaching proper grammar and spelling, or should we allow language to be descriptive instead of prescriptive?
• What gives people true power in the United States?

• Is conflict necessary for change?
• Is war ever justified?

What controversial debate topics do you use with your students? Come share in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, 35 strong persuasive writing examples (speeches, essays, ads, and more) ., you might also like.

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Speech And Debate

Debate Topics

Last updated on: Dec 29, 2023

Debate Topics (2024) - Top 200+ Compelling Topics

By: Cordon J.

23 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Mar 22, 2023

Choosing an interesting topic for a debate can be a little tricky. There are several factors that are to be considered before you choose a topic.

• Is the topic debatable?
• Do you have content for it?
• Is the content easily available for research?
• Are you genuinely interested in the topic?
• Is the topic good enough to impress your audience?

Get all the answers below and get some creative and great debate topics and ideas.

On this Page

What is the Debate?

A debate and speech writing is a process or an activity that involves presenting relevant arguments in support of a viewpoint. Normally, debates take place in academic institutes, public meetings, and legislative and lawmaking assemblies. 

It is a common part of our lives, and we all have argued at some point in our lives. Through a debate, a participant tries to cancel the views and arguments of the opponent while safeguarding their own views with solid proof and arguments.

In an academic and scholarly environment, it is considered quite a fun and enlightening activity that engages the audience and adds to their knowledge.

What are the Types of Debate?

Debates can be of various types. Each type is used for a specific type of debate, and all of them are conducted differently and could take place for different purposes. Below are the six types of debate:

• Lincoln-Douglas Debate: This type of debate is mostly used in formal debating societies. It is also known as a "value debate" and requires two individuals to argue against each other on moral and ethical issues.
• Rebuttal Debate: A rebuttal debate is an argument that takes place between two participants. Each participant has to present their arguments and prepare a strong case against the opposition's point of view.
• Cross-Examination Debate: In this type of debate, each speaker is given time to answer questions posed by the opposition while they are presenting their argument.
• Public Forum Debate: This is a form of debate in which two teams compete against each other with their respective cases.
• Oregon-Oxford Debate: This debate type also takes place between two participants, and each speaker has to present arguments while preparing a strong case against the opposition's point of view.
• One-Rebuttal Debate: This type of debate is similar to the Cross-Examination Debate except that each speaker has only one chance to rebut the opposition's argument.

No matter what kind of debate you are planning or participating in, you will not need a unique or out-of-the-box type of topic for it. Your topic should be interesting and relatable for your audience, and this is enough to make your debate a winner.

How to Choose Good Debate Topics?

Some important factors need to be considered when it comes to choosing a good debate topic. A good debate topic will help the audience understand both sides of the issue and keep them engaged to make better and more informed decisions.

Here are a few tips that will help you choose a good topic for your debate.

• Interest: It is necessary that you should be interested in your topic since you are the one who is going to write and deliver it to your audience. If you are not interested in the topic, there is no way that your debate will be convincing enough to persuade your audience.
• Research: To debate effectively, you should be aware of the pros and cons of your topic. This will help you convince the audience by opposing the opponent’s viewpoints.
• Target Audience: This is the essential factor to consider while choosing a debate topic. Your topic should be according to the intellectual level of your audience. Only this way, they will actually understand what you are trying to deliver in your debate.
• Argument Potential: Pick a topic that has solid argument potential. If only one side is right or if there is limited information available, you will face a hard time crafting a good debate.

Are you ready to learn debating strategies and leave your opponent and audience amazed? Watch this video

Debate Topics on Different Subjects

Great speeches and debate topics are essential for memorable debates and speeches. This is why we suggest that you do your research properly before deciding on a specific topic. To help you get some memorable topic ideas, we have gathered lists of topics that could be used in any type of debate like Lincoln-Douglas debate topics, rebuttal debates, and others.

Here is a complete list of engaging debate competition topics and ideas.

Continue reading, and you will definitely find a great topic.

• Should abortion be allowed in all cases?

Alternative Energy

• Is alternative energy a better option than traditional sources of energy?

American Socialism

• Should the U.S. move towards a socialist system?

Animal Testing

• Is it ethical to use animals for testing?
• Is it ethical to clone animals?
• Is animal testing necessary?

Banned Books

• Should books that contain offensive content be banned?

Binge-Watching

• Is binge-watching television and movies a good way to spend time?

Bottled Water Ban

• Should bottled water be banned in all cases?

Business Ethics

• What role should ethical considerations play in business decisions?

Cyberbullying

• How can cyberbullying be prevented?

Capital Punishment

• Is capital punishment an effective deterrent against crime?
• Should capital punishment be used as a form of punishment?
• Should censorship of the internet be allowed?

Cancel Culture

• Is cancel culture a valid form of protest?

Cell Phones

• Should the use of cell phones be restricted in public places?

Climate Change

• Is climate change real or man-made?
• Should human cloning be allowed?
• Should drugs be decriminalized or not?

Death Penalty

• Is the death penalty effective as a punishment?

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

• School debate should be compulsory for all students
• There should be no school uniforms or a dress code
• Students should not be allowed to use Facebook.
• Impact of social media on teenagers and high school students.
• Junk food should not be banned in schools
• Energy drinks should be banned from students.
• Students should volunteer for community service.
• Students should not be allowed gadgets in private school.
• Mobile phones should not be allowed in schools
• High school students should not be allowed cell phones in school.
• Online learning vs. traditional learning. Which is better?
• How can technology help to improve education?
• The modern college education system is better than the traditional one.
• How can we engage high school students in the class?
• How is outdoor learning beneficial?
• Homework should be banned in schools.
• How can a college education help you get a good job?
• Should public schools offer educational bonuses?
• Why do kids need recess?
• Traditional teaching methods should be replaced with AI-powered education.
• Public speaking boosts the confidence of students.
• Entertainment and Technology Debate Topics
• Children should not be allowed to play violent video games.
• Pros and cons of using social media.
• Does technology intensify human communication skills?
• Effects of violent cartoons on the mental development of children.
• Playing video games should be banned for kids.
• Environmental Issues
• Global warming and its impacts on humanity.
• Is global warming a real issue?

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Fun and Funny Debate Topics

Following fun debate topics are great if you are looking for topics that are light in mood and offer humorous matters.

• Women are much more complicated than men.
• Which one is better? Eat to live or live to eat?
• Children should not be allowed to watch cartoons as they portray violence.
• Why can men date younger women, but women can’t date younger men?
• Are there some discrete messages in nursery rhymes?
• Morals or money? Which one is necessary to survive?
• Which gender is better? Male or female?
• How does sunlight affect vampires?
• Can vampires get AIDS?
• How will life be after death?
• Barbie is a good role model for young girls.
• Do fairy tales affect children’s reality perception?
• Has the #MeToo movement gone too far?
• Which is the better pet? Dogs or cats.
• What comes first? Chicken or eggs.
• Winters are better than summer.
• Do you want to live forever?
• What is a better dessert? Cake or ice cream.
• What is the best topping for pizza?
• No one should ever tell a lie.

General Debate Topics

Zoos should be banned Why do kids need privacy? Importance of saving money. Every student should adopt a family pet. Why do most kids start smoking? Importance of reading books. Animals should have the same rights as humans. Fast-food chains are the major cause of the increase in the obesity rate.

Healthcare Debate Topics

• Marijuana should be legal for its use in medicines.
• Pharmacists should not be allowed to prescribe medicines.
• Obese people should pay more for healthcare.
• Healthcare should not be free for everyone.

Interesting Debate Topics

• Is sex education necessary for middle school students?
• Nuclear powers are the major cause of wars.
• Same-sex marriage should not be allowed.
• Gay relationships are against nature.
• Students are becoming way too dependent on technology.
• Money is a major source of motivation in the workplace.
• Girls should be encouraged and supported to enter the STEM research field.
• Is money a key factor in getting exoneration from crimes?
• Alternative energy resources should be explored and used to preserve natural resources.
• Censorship should be made less lenient for educational documentaries.
• Gay couples should be allowed to adopt children.
• The sale of fur must be banned.
• Reality television is harming society.
• Why is paintball a real sport?
• Sports are more important than arts.
• What are the differences between cricket and hockey?
• Why is it important to ban late-night alcohol sales?
• Unpaid internships should be made illegal.
• Beauty contests should be banned.
• Gay couples should not be allowed to adopt children.

Justice Debate Topics

• The death penalty should be abolished.
• Mental illness should not be grounds for criminal justice exemption.
• The legal age for voting should be lowered.
• Juveniles who commit crimes should not be tried as adults.
• Should police officers wear body cameras?
• Are plea bargains fair to defendants?

Knowledge Debate Topics

• Do humans learn better by reading or listening?
• Should universities offer free tuition to all students?
• Is knowledge more important than experience?
• What is the best way to acquire knowledge?
• Are tests a good indication of student learning?
• Do grades accurately measure intellectual abilities?

Life and Ethics Debate Topics

• Beauty pageants are another way to objectify women.
• Beauty pageants are setting ridiculous standards in society.
• Social networking sites are used for stalking instead of communicating.
• Torture is never justified, no matter what the situation is.
• Celebrities have the leverage to get away with crimes more than any non-celebrity.
• Cigarettes should not be allowed in public places.

Moral Debate Topics

• Is it ever right to lie?
• Should animals be used for scientific research?
• Is abortion wrong in all cases?
• Capital punishment is morally wrong.
• The death penalty should not exist.
• Should prostitution be legalized?
• What is the moral responsibility of corporations?

Nature Debate Topics

• Are humans responsible for global warming?
• Should plastic bags be banned in all countries?
• Why are bees important to our environment?
• How can deforestation be stopped or slowed down?
• What is the best way to preserve wildlife habitats?
• What steps should be taken to reduce air pollution?

Opinion Debate Topics

• Should teachers be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom?
• Do violent video games lead to aggressive behavior?
• Are organic foods really better for you than non-organic foods?
• Does the internet make people more productive?
• Is it ethical to clone animals and humans?

Political Debate Topics

• There should be a monarchical system in the United States
• Causes of increasing racism in the United States.
• Nuclear weapons should be banned across the globe.
• Police should be allowed to use lethal force.
• Are men stronger than women?
• Religion does more harm than good.
• Why can it be done to stop wars?
• Is the Paris Agreement relevant anymore?
• Monarchy should end worldwide.
• Everyone should be allowed to keep weapons.
• Free speech is an individual right.
• Religious schools and churches should also be charged with taxes.
• Is freedom of speech necessary for a nation to grow?
• What should be the penalty for illegal immigrants?
• There should be more members of the jury.
• Refugees should not be allowed to acquire any sort of nationality.
• Is it ethical to carry an automatic weapon?
• Is patriotism a good or a bad thing?
• Is the US Constitution a living document?
• Political campaigns must be organized on money borrowed by corporations.
• Limiting terms for US senators and representatives brings more harm than benefit.
• Why should churches pay more taxes?
• Police should use deadly force. Discuss why.
• Why must the royal family be abolished?
• People should own guns. Why?
• Why are automatic weapons legalized?
• Voting should be made mandatory for everyone. 
• Importance of freedom of speech.
• Public Forum Debate Topics
• Abortion is the right of every woman.
• Genetic engineering is not a natural process and should not be legalized.
• Birth control pills should be accessible to teenagers.
• There should be an equal ratio of male and female employees in the workplace.
• Barbie is not a practical example of a role model.
• Feminism is causing more harm than good.
• Marijuana has its advantages.
• The MeToo movement is being misused, forgetting its real purpose.
• The media should be free to express their opinions and criticism.
• Public prayer should not be allowed in schools.
• Smoking should be banned worldwide.
• The form of government should provide free birth control.
• Can we trust banks? 
• Financial issues destroy a nation.
• Is taxation good or bad?
• How can humans affect animals?
• Discuss the importance of financial stability.
• We should lower the voting age for everyone.
• Mobile banking is not a safe procedure. Why?
• How badly can peer pressure affect an innocent soul?
• Models are setting the wrong standards of beauty.
• We are living in a dystopian society.

Questions Debate Topics

• Does technology have the potential to do more harm than good?

Religion Debate Topics

• What is the importance of religion in society?
• Should religious education be mandatory in all schools?
• Sports should be an essential part of middle school.

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Television Debate Topics

• Should parents be more mindful of the television programs their children watch?
• Are reality shows detrimental to our society?

Urbanization Debate Topics

• What are the effects of rapid urbanization on the environment?

Veganism Debate Topics

• Is veganism a more ethical lifestyle choice than eating meat?
• Should veganism be promoted as an ethical diet choice?
• Women's Rights Debate Topics
• Are women still discriminated against in the workplace?
• Xenophobia Debate Topic
• What can be done to tackle the rising xenophobia in many parts of the world?
• Youth Empowerment Debate Topics
• Should youth empowerment programs be adopted at a global level?

Zero Waste Debate Topics

• Can zero-waste policies help protect our environment?

Best Debate Topics for Students

Crafting an argumentative essay or preparing for a debate? Below we have compiled some great topics for debate competition;

Debate Topics for Kids

• The curriculum should be designed according to the individual needs of the children.
• Physical activities and real-life teaching skills should be mandatory in schools.
• Visits to zoological and botanical gardens are great fun and educational activities for kids.
• Sports should be encouraged at the school level.
• Children should be given the right to vote.
• School hours should be revised.
• School lunches should be properly planned by a dedicated dietician.
• Parents should give a weekly allowance to the kids.
• Parents should be held responsible for their kids' mistakes.
• Dance can be considered a sport.
• Schools should block sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on their computers.
• Why should we encourage students to read books?
• How can we replace teachers with computers?
• Why are the Olympics important?
• Are zoos beneficial to animals?
• Why is it important to explore space?
• Do children really need privacy in their lives?
• Why should children save their pocket money?
• Parents should be punished if their child makes a mistake.

Debate Topics for Teens

• The minimum wage for all countries should be the same.
• Parents should not hit children in front of others.
• Censorship is necessary for the media.
• Passion or patriotism can be harmful in certain situations.
• How social media affects teenagers?
• Social media is a cause of increasing depression among the youth.
• The use of drugs should be considered a mental issue.
• How is peer pressure different from bullying?
• How are humans destroying the habitat of animals?
• Being too religious can be dangerous.
• Can people save nature by using technology?
• Are student loans exploitative?
• Alcohol should not be sold on weekends.
• How secure is mobile banking?
• Does homework really promote learning? 
• Is abortion murder?
• Should students be allowed to create their own curriculum?
• Why is a college and university education necessary?
• Teachers should be allowed to carry guns on campuses.
• How should modern society respond to teenage pregnancies?
• All students must learn at least one foreign language.

Debate Topics for Middle School

• Following middle school debate topics are added to give you some good debate topics for middle school.
• Peer pressure is a major influence on teenage behavior.
• Should parents be held responsible for their children’s actions?
• Cell phone usage should be banned in schools.
• Teachers should use more technology in the classroom.
• Students should not have to wear uniforms.
• Schools should teach about financial literacy and budgeting.
• Violence in video games leads to increased aggression.
• The legal drinking age should be lowered from 21.
• Juvenile offenders should serve their sentences in adult prisons.
• Sexting should carry criminal penalties for minors.
• Schools need more money for extracurricular activities.
• Is it okay to criticize your teacher in public?

Debate Topics for High School

High school debate topics are less profound than what you get in college and graduation. The following topics will give you an idea of how to come up with interesting debate topics for your debate.

• In high school, should all students have to pass a basic math proficiency test?
• Should parents be held liable if their children commit crimes?
• Should violent video games be banned?
• Do the benefits of religious teachings outweigh their disadvantages?
• Are single-parent homes better than dual-parent homes?
• Should students participate in sports activities during school hours?
• Should schools provide free sanitary supplies in bathrooms?
• Are standardized tests a valid measure of student performance?
• Should cell phones be allowed in the classroom?
• Should students be graded on attendance alone?
• Is it right to limit free speech on college campuses?
• Are video games taking away from social activities or helping to build them?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Should the death penalty be abolished in all countries?
• Is it ethical to use animals for testing medical treatments?
• Should students be paid for their academic performance?
• Should plastic straws and other single-use items be banned?

Debate Topics for College Students

• How can homework help to abolish learning skills?
• Why should religion be avoided to discuss in schools?
• Is history an important subject area?
• Why is it important for students to play sports regularly?
• Boarding school is harmful to the mental health of the students.
• Obesity in children is increasing because of parents’ lack of control over their children.
• Children should not be allowed to use gadgets.
• There should be no advertisements on kids’ channels.
• People should be fined according to their income.
• Can drug addicts deal through help or punishment?
• Rich people should pay more taxes.
• Women should be paid less than men,
• Wars are never justified.
• Marriage is no longer necessary.
• Celebrities should earn less.

Are you a high school student seeking the best possible debating format ? This blog will provide you with all of the information to make an informed decision.

Latest Debate Topics 2023

Here are some current debate topics for your next debate;

• Education is becoming costlier with every passing day while the quality is not improving.
• Children and teens in underprivileged neighborhoods should be given free education.
• The rise of augmented reality in contemporary Hollywood and its results.
• Video games and animated movies are promoting violence and sexism.
• Google is transforming into an online patrol. Discuss.
• Orwell’s novel 1984 is becoming a quick reality. Discuss and explain with examples.
• Dating in the workplace should be discouraged.
• Parents should monitor their kid’s computer and phone usage.
• Racial profiling is a new form of discrimination.
• Reasons for substance abuse in high school and college-going children.
• Values or wealth? Which one is necessary to survive?
• There is no third gender.
• Homosexual relationships are against nature.
• Do drug addicts need help or punishment?
• Are animal supports acceptable?
• Parental support is essential for the future success of children.
• Technology makes people smarter. How?
• How can all cars become electric?
• A robot can increase people’s quality of life.
• Discuss the recent development in the technological field.
• The public electoral college should be tuition-free.
• All teachers should get tenure.
• All school districts should offer school vouchers.
• The sale of human organs should be legalized.
• Birth control should be for sale over the counter.
• Net neutrality should be restored.
• Alternative energy can effectively replace fossil fuels.
• Cell phone radiation is dangerous and should be limited.
• Euthanasia should be banned.
• The drinking age should be 18.
• Vaping should be banned.
• All high school athletes should be drug tested.
• Detention should be abolished.
• How can we improve the quality of healthcare services?
• How should parents handle a bad report card?
• Our privacy is more important than national security.
• Why is football so dangerous for players?

More Controversial Debate and Argumentative Essay Topics

If you want more debate topics, we have combined a list of controversial and argumentative topics for a strong debate.

• Prostitution - should it be legal or illegal?
• Capital punishment - should it continue to exist?
• Gay Marriage - should it be legal?
• Euthanasia - should people have the right to end their lives?
• Drugs - Should drug testing for athletes continue?
• Stem Cell Research - should it continue to be regulated?
• Censorship - Is censorship necessary in certain topics?
• Immigration - How can immigration policies be improved?
• Surveillance - Is government surveillance necessary for national security?
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - Should they continue to be used in food production?
• Online Piracy - Is it morally wrong?
• US-Iraq War - Was it necessary?
• Social Media - Should there be more regulation in its use?
• Animal Rights - Should animals have the same rights as humans?
• Parenting Styles - Is authoritative parenting better than other styles?
• Advertising - Are there any ethical issues with advertising?
• Religion - Does religion have a place in public life?

Dos and Don'ts for Debating

When taking part in debate, it is important to keep the following helpful do’s and dont’s  in mind.

• Here are several best practices to keep in mind when debating:
• Prepare in advance and research the topic.
• Consider both sides of the argument and present a balanced view.
• Use evidence and facts to support your opinions.
• Listen carefully to the opponent’s point of view.
• Respectfully disagree with what you don’t agree with.
• Be prepared to compromise.

Here are several things to avoid when debating:

• Argue for the sake of arguing without any concrete evidence.
• Get personal or use offensive language.
• Monopolize the conversation or interrupt others.
• Be too emotional about the topic.
• Ignore what the other person is saying.
• Make assumptions or jump to conclusions.

By keeping these dos and don'ts in mind, one can have an effective debate on any given topic.

To wrap it up, Hopefully, you would have found interesting topics for your debate by now. 

Once you have chosen a topic, you will have to prepare a strong debate by researching every aspect of the topic. Is that too much work for you?

Don’t panic; we have a good idea. Choose a topic from the given list and hire a professional writer from an essay writing service to do the rest for you.

Wondering where you will find an essay writer?

5StarEssays.com is the place for you. All you have to do is provide your topic along with the instructions, and the expert writers will do the job for you. Or you an add your topic to our AI essay generator , and it will do the rest. 

However, for some students, composing a debate is harder than selecting a topic. We can help you with that as well. 

Make a ‘ write my essay ’ request now and get your debate written according to your requirements.

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

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150+ Debate Topics To Spark Conversations & Conquer Minds

Debating has long been a vital part of human culture, helping us sharpen our critical thinking and shaping our beliefs. Regardless of your skills, engaging in debates is a great way to learn and grow. 

However, the success of a debate depends on the right topic. Choosing the perfect debate topics is super important to make the conversation exciting. Finding a strong topic for your debate can be tricky. 

Dive into this article where we have compiled a diverse list of debate topics for you. We also explore the art of topic selection, the purpose of debate, and tips for a winning performance.

Table of Contents

Interesting Debate Topics for College Students

• Can a college degree assist with better employment opportunities? 
• Incorporating more AI-powered education is better for the future generation.
• Is online  paper writing service  necessary to respond to the increasing academic workload and pressure college students face?
• Mandatory nature education for all students, regardless of their major 
• Should colleges invest in developing online assignment help platforms to ensure quality and academic integrity?
• Is it justified to impose a tuition fee for college education? 
• Should we compensate college athletes for their participation in sports?
• Is affirmative action in college admissions necessary to promote diversity and equality?
• Should colleges offer free mental health services to all students?
• Is it fair for colleges to consider an applicant’s social media presence in the admissions process?
• Should colleges prioritize vocational and trade programs over traditional academic degrees?
• Should colleges implement stricter speech codes and restrictions to create a more inclusive and respectful campus environment?
• Is a liberal arts education still relevant and valuable in today’s job market?

Interesting and Controversial Debate Topics 

• Should we permit abortion as a regular medical practice?
• Should human cloning be allowed? 
• Is Animal testing ethical? 
• Should society grant animals the same rights as humans? 
• Should people give up their privacy rights to protect their nation? 
• Is animal testing necessary? 
• Is animal cloning ethical? 
• Is it justified to ban books under any circumstances? 
• Can we actively prevent cyberbullying?
• Is the MeToo movement currently stirring controversy?
• Why do students actively engage in smoking initiation?
• Are fast-food chains the main cause behind the growing rate of obesity? 
• Should terminally ill patients have the right to request and receive assistance in ending their lives?
• Should governments have the authority to regulate social media platforms to address issues such as misinformation, hate speech, and privacy concerns?
• Is capital punishment an effective deterrent against crime? 
• Has “Censorship” benefited society in any way?

Debate Topics For High-School Students

• Can schools prohibit their students from using certain social media platforms? 
• Impact of social media on high-school Students’ mental health 
• More students should volunteer for community work 
• Schools should prohibit the use of personal gadget in class 
• Is the prevalence of cheap essay writing services a reflection of flaws in the education system?
• Which is a better learning experience for students: online classes vs. traditional
• Which is more beneficial for high schoolers: outdoor learning or indoor learning 
• Do homeworks contribute to a student’s learning experience? 
• Should students have a lunch break and a separate recess to relax? 
• Students excel more when allowed to attend more subject-oriented fairs and expos.
• Are high school students more frequently subjected to online stalking?
• Is it easy for most students to open up to their parents about any harassment cases? 
• Do students need proper training from school professionals and parents to identify predators online? 

Unique Topics for University Students

• Does  APA heading  structure have any special impact on the academic writing quality?
• Free speech vs. safe speech on university campus 
• The value of liberal art education in today’s job market
• The importance of sustainability and environmental awareness in university policies 
• Role of extracurricular activities in university education 
• Et al. meaning  in academic writing: is it necessary or redundant? 
• The effectiveness of affirmative action in university admission 
• The necessity of student loan forgiveness programs 

Political Debate Topics

• Should the United States transition to a socialist system collectively?
• The government still neglects minor disabilities. 
• Are current government policies and actions sufficient to combat the effects of climate change?
• How to approach the global refugee crisis: including issues of border control, asylum policies, and international cooperation
• Can governments address the growing wealth gap?
• Rise of populist movements and growing political polarization, and how can societies address the resulting divisions and strengthen democratic institutions?
• The imposition of the same-sex marriage agenda upon individuals should be avoided.
• Rise of authoritarian governments and their impact on human rights, democracy, and global stability
• The feminist movement no longer talks about women’s rights
• Gay couples should be able to adopt children

Topics to Debate on Environment

• Alternative energy: Is it a better option than traditional courses of energy? 
• Should we ban bottled water to minimize the Plastic waste? 
• Does Climate change pose a real threat to human existence?
• Does climate change impact humans in a negative way? 
• Should people fund  animal research  institutes? 

Debate Topics on Ethics

• Should ethical considerations play a role in business decisions?
• Should we encourage the use of cell phones in public places? 
• Is it ethical to use AI in the decision-making process? 
• Is it unethical to have different viewpoints from your teachers?
• Why has the use of Facebook not been prohibited despite the revelation of user exploitation? 

Easy Debate Topics on Education

• Should schools make it compulsory for every student to contribute in debate contests? 
• Should schools invite professionals for informative speeches more often? 
• Should schools arrange for more motivational speakers to visit schools? 
• Should schools provide a separate class for public speaking for students to combat social or stage anxiety 
• Should educational curriculums have religious subjects in them? 
• Do student dress codes help achieve anything in a student’s overall upbringing? 
• School cafeterias should not have junk food in them 
• There should be monthly wellness and cleanliness checks of school cafes from higher authorities or the government 
• Should schools allow students to use mobile phones within school premises?
• The perceived value of virtual degrees in comparison to traditional degrees
• Should victims of school violence and bullying sue their educational institutes for physical and mental damages?
• Should schools provide educational bonuses?
• Schools should make monthly psychological evaluations necessary
• Schools should encourage AI-powered education for all subjects 
• Educational institutes should invest more in subject-oriented fairs and expos 
• Schools need to take students on more sight trips for a better learning experience 
• More educational institutes should offer educational bonuses. 

Conversational Debate Topics 

• Should society decriminalize the usage of drugs? 
• Video games induce violent behavior in children 
• Does the television series “Euphoria” idealize or glorify self-destructive behavior?
• Should CPS get involved in cases of school violence?
• Is Barbie a good role model for impressionable girls? 
• Has society benefited more from social media?
• Should society ban Zoos? 
• Do Netizens really assist authorities in solving true crime cases?
• Has technology intensified human communication? 
• Does reading books hold significant importance?
• Does violence in cartoons affect the upbringing of children
• Should governments implement a universal basic income to address income inequality and poverty? 
• Should we ban games like “IGI”, “Grand Theft Auto”, “Call of Duty”, or “Delta Force”? 
• Do shows like “ The Glory ” and “13 Reasons Why” make any impact against the physical and mental turmoils students face? 
• What is the most effective method to attain financial literacy?
• Should society lower the official voting age to 16?
• Should minimum wages be increased in accordance with inflation? 
• Public speaking can give you a boost of confidence 
• Cons of using social media
• Does global warming have serious effects on humanity 
• Does financial wealth yield greater benefits than moral values?
• What transpires after the occurrence of death? 

What is a Debate?

A debate is a structured discussion between individuals or teams with contrasting viewpoints on a specific issue. Most debates aim to persuade an audience to support one side.

They explore various subjects, including philosophy, politics, social sciences etc. Usually, debate contests occur in academic settings. But it may also occur in legislative assemblies, public meetings, and law-making assemblies. 

Debate is a contest of ideas, often occurring in academic institutes, legislative assemblies, public meetings, and lawmaking assemblies. It involves defending a viewpoint that one agrees with. 

Types of Debates:

Debates come in various formats, each with its unique structure and style. Understanding these types of debates will help you choose the right debate topics. And navigate the world of intellectual discussions with ease. Let’s explore some popular debate formats:

Rebuttal Debate

In rebuttal debates, participants present their arguments and then have the opportunity to respond directly to the opposing side’s points. These debates encourage quick thinking and sharp analytical skills. 

Example of a rebuttal debate:

 The 1960 Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate, both candidates had the chance to refute each other’s arguments.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Named after the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, this format typically focuses on values and philosophical issues. In Lincoln-Douglas debates, participants emphasize logic, ethics, and philosophy when discussing debate topics. 

The original Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, centered around the issue of slavery, are prime examples of this format.

One-Rebuttal Debate

In one-rebuttal debates, each speaker has only one chance to refute the opposing side’s arguments. This format demands strong initial arguments and strategic thinking. 

Example of one-rebuttal debate:

The 2012 U.S. vice-presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. In this debate both debaters had limited opportunities to counter each other’s points.

Public Forum Debate

Public forum debates focus on current events and involve teams of two speakers. These debates aim to engage the audience and make complex issues accessible to a broader audience. 

For example: A 2014 Intelligence Squared U.S. debate showcases a public forum debate. The subject was contemporary on whether “Snowden was justified”.

Cross-Examination Debate

Also known as policy debate, cross-examination debates involve two teams that propose and oppose a specific policy. Participants must research and prepare extensively, as they need to defend their stance and question their opponents effectively. 

The annual National Debate Tournament showcases the best cross-examination debate topics and performances.

Oregon-Oxford Debate

The Oregon-Oxford debate format features two teams with two to three speakers each. Debaters present their arguments in alternating speeches, followed by cross-examination.

A prominent example of Oregon-Oxford debate is the 2015 Munk Debate on the global refugee crisis 

Understanding these different debate formats will help you choose good debate topics. These topics will best suit the structure and style of your desired intellectual exchange.

Significance of the Right Debate Topics.

Picking the right debate topics is essential because it sets the stage for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation. A strong topic captures everyone’s interest, sparks lively discussions, and challenges debaters to think deeply and present persuasive arguments. 

You should analyze several factors about a topic before preparing for a debate. 

• Is the chosen topic worthy of debate? 
• Is there enough research material available for you to organize an argument?
• Are you interested in the topic? 
• Will the topic impact your audience?

So, the next time you’re picking a topic consider checking all these boxes. 

How to Choose Good Debate Topics? A Quick Guide 

Here is a quick guide on how to pick your next debate topic for an epic win. These simple steps will help you find one that’s engaging and thought-provoking:

• Your Interest:  Choose debate topics that genuinely interest you. Your passion for the subject will make your arguments more compelling and motivate you throughout the debate.
• Proper Research:  Explore various debate topics and gather information on them. Look for topics with abundant resources, making building strong arguments easier and staying well-informed.
• Your Target Audience : Consider the interests and preferences of your audience. Select debate topics that will resonate with them and spark their curiosity.
• Argument Potential:  Pick debate topics allowing diverse perspectives and strong arguments. This will ensure a lively and engaging debate, encouraging critical thinking and intellectual growth.
• Controversy and Relevance : Opt for debate topics that address current or controversial issues. These topics generate more interest and provoke deeper discussions, as they often have real-world implications and affect people’s lives.
• Balance and Fairness:  Ensure that the debate topics you choose allow for a fair and balanced debate. Both sides should have equal opportunities to present strong arguments and valid points, making the debate more engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Tips and Techniques to SpellBound Your Audience 

In this blog’s last part, we will touch on some tips for delivering a strong debate. By following these tips and techniques, you’ll be well-equipped to deliver a winning debate on various topics.

• Prepare thoroughly:  Confidence and believability come from being well-prepared. Research your debate topics and anticipate your and your opponent’s arguments.
• Stay on topic:  Time is limited, so focus on your points and allocate appropriate time for each.
• Speak slowly and clearly:  Avoid rushing through your speech. Engage your audience by being charismatic and amicable.
• Exude confidence:  Even if you feel nervous, maintain confidence to appear credible and knowledgeable about your debate topics.
• Mind your body language:  Use gestures, maintain eye contact, and adopt a relaxed posture to convey confidence and credibility.
• Engage your audience:  Observe your audience’s reactions and adjust your tone or content accordingly to keep them interested.
• Take notes during the debate:  Jot down your opponent’s points and potential rebuttals to stay organized and focused.
• Anticipate your opponent’s arguments:  Try to understand your opponent’s perspective and show your audience why your stance matters more.
• Use stories and illustrations:  Humor and anecdotes can help break the ice and make your debate topics more relatable.
• Conclude strongly:  Summarize your points and tie everything together in a memorable closing statement.
• Be graceful:  Refrain from resorting to low tactics. Like derogatory remarks or disruptive behavior. Ensure that you treat your opponent with the utmost respect.
• Keep it interesting:  Adapt your delivery based on audience feedback. Add anecdotes, and maintain a light tone to keep your debate topics engaging.

Conclusion:

We’re confident that our diverse selection of debate topics will leave you spoilt for choice. With so many options, you can find the perfect topic that ticks all your boxes. Our seasoned professionals are ready to lend a helping hand in crafting the most compelling debates out there. Elevate your debating game with our expert guidance. Rest assured that we’re committed to delivering nothing but the best for our valued customers. So, dive into these debate topics and let the engaging conversations begin!

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50 Great Argumentative Essay Topics for Any Assignment

General Education

At some point, you’re going to be asked to write an argumentative essay. An argumentative essay is exactly what it sounds like—an essay in which you’ll be making an argument, using examples and research to back up your point.

But not all argumentative essay topics are created equal. Not only do you have to structure your essay right to have a good impact on the reader, but even your choice of subject can impact how readers feel about your work.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of writing argumentative essays, including what argumentative essays are, how to write a good one, and how to pick a topic that works for you. Then check out a list of argumentative essay ideas to help you get started.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is one that makes an argument through research. These essays take a position and support it through evidence, but, unlike many other kinds of essays, they are interested in expressing a specific argument supported by research and evidence.

A good argumentative essay will be based on established or new research rather than only on your thoughts and feelings. Imagine that you’re trying to get your parents to raise your allowance, and you can offer one of two arguments in your favor:

You should raise my allowance because I want you to.

You should raise my allowance because I’ve been taking on more chores without complaining.

The first argument is based entirely in feelings without any factual backup, whereas the second is based on evidence that can be proven. Your parents are more likely to respond positively to the second argument because it demonstrates that you have done something to earn the increased allowance. Similarly, a well-researched and reasoned argument will show readers that your point has a basis in fact, not just feelings.

The standard five-paragraph essay is common in writing argumentative essays, but it’s not the only way to write one. An argumentative essay is typically written in one of two formats, the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model.

The Toulmin model is the most common, comprised of an introduction with a claim (otherwise known as a thesis), with data to support it. This style of essay will also include rebuttals, helping to strengthen your argument by anticipating counterarguments.

The Rogerian model analyzes two sides of an argument and reaches a conclusion after weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Both essay styles rely on well-reasoned logic and supporting evidence to prove a point, just in two different ways.

The important thing to note about argumentative essays as opposed to other kinds of essays is that they aim to argue a specific point rather than to explain something or to tell a story. While they may have some things in common with analytical essays, the primary difference is in their objective—an argumentative essay aims to convince someone of something, whereas an analytical essay contextualizes a topic with research.

What Makes a Good Argumentative Essay?

To write an effective argumentative essay, you need to know what a good one looks like. In addition to a solid structure, you’ll need an argument, a strong thesis, and solid research.

An Argument

Unlike other forms of essays, you are trying to convince your reader of something. You’re not just teaching them a concept or demonstrating an idea—you’re constructing an argument to change the readers’ thinking.

You’ll need to develop a good argument, which encompasses not just your main point, but also all the pieces that make it up.

Think beyond what you are saying and include how you’re saying it. How will you take an idea and turn it into a complex and well thought out argument that is capable of changing somebody’s mind?

A Strong Thesis

The thesis is the core of your argument. What specific message are you trying to get across? State that message in one sentence, and that will be your thesis.

This is the foundation on which your essay is built, so it needs to be strong and well-reasoned. You need to be able to expand on it with facts and sources, not just feelings.

A good argumentative essay isn’t just based on your individual thoughts, but research. That can be citing sources and other arguments or it can mean direct research in the field, depending on what your argument is and the context in which you are arguing it.

Be prepared to back your thesis up with reporting from scientific journals, newspapers, or other forms of research. Having well-researched sources will help support your argument better than hearsay or assumptions. If you can’t find enough research to back up your point, it’s worth reconsidering your thesis or conducting original research, if possible.

How to Come Up With an Argumentative Essay Topic

Sometimes you may find yourself arguing things you don’t necessarily believe. That’s totally fine—you don’t actually have to wholeheartedly believe in what you’re arguing in order to construct a compelling argument.

However, if you have free choice of topic, it’s a good idea to pick something you feel strongly about. There are two key components to a good argumentative essay: a strong stance, and an assortment of evidence. If you’re interested and feel passionate about the topic you choose, you'll have an easier time finding evidence to support it, but it's the evidence that's most important. 

So, to choose a topic, think about things you feel strongly about, whether positively or negatively. You can make a list of ideas and narrow those down to a handful of things, then expand on those ideas with a few potential points you want to hit on.

For example, say you’re trying to decide whether you should write about how your neighborhood should ban weed killer, that your school’s lunch should be free for all students, or that the school day should be cut by one hour. To decide between these ideas, you can make a list of three to five points for each that cover the different evidence you could use to support each point.

For the weed killer ban, you could say that weed killer has been proven to have adverse impacts on bees, that there are simple, natural alternatives, and that weeds aren’t actually bad to have around. For the free lunch idea, you could suggest that some students have to go hungry because they can’t afford lunch, that funds could be diverted from other places to support free lunch, and that other items, like chips or pizza, could be sold to help make up lost revenue. And for the school day length example, you could argue that teenagers generally don’t get enough sleep, that you have too much homework and not enough time to do it, and that teenagers don’t spend enough time with their families.

You might find as you make these lists that some of them are stronger than others. The more evidence you have and the stronger you feel that that evidence is, the better the topic.  Of course, if you feel that one topic may have more evidence but you’d rather not write about it, it’s okay to pick another topic instead. When you’re making arguments, it can be much easier to find strong points and evidence if you feel passionate about our topic than if you don't.

50 Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

If you’re struggling to come up with topics on your own, read through this list of argumentative essay topics to help get you started!

• Should fracking be legal?
• Should parents be able to modify their unborn children?
• Do GMOs help or harm people?
• Should vaccinations be required for students to attend public school?
• Should world governments get involved in addressing climate change?
• Should Facebook be allowed to collect data from its users?
• Should self-driving cars be legal?
• Is it ethical to replace human workers with automation?
• Should there be laws against using cell phones while driving?
• Has the internet positively or negatively impacted human society?

• Should college athletes be paid for being on sports teams?
• Should coaches and players make the same amount of money?
• Should sports be segregated by gender?
• Should the concept of designated hitters in baseball be abolished?
• Should US sports take soccer more seriously?
• Should religious organizations have to pay taxes?
• Should religious clubs be allowed in schools?
• Should “one nation under God” be in the pledge of allegiance?
• Should religion be taught in schools?
• Should clergy be allowed to marry?
• Should minors be able to purchase birth control without parental consent?
• Should the US switch to single-payer healthcare?
• Should assisted suicide be legal?
• Should dietary supplements and weight loss items like teas be allowed to advertise through influencers?
• Should doctors be allowed to promote medicines?

Government/Politics

• Is the electoral college an effective system for modern America?
• Should Puerto Rico become a state?
• Should voter registration be automatic?
• Should people in prison be allowed to vote?
• Should Supreme Court justices be elected?
• Should sex work be legalized?
• Should Columbus Day be replaced with Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
• Should the death penalty be legal?
• Should animal testing be allowed?
• Should drug possession be decriminalized?

• Should unpaid internships be legal?
• Should minimum wage be increased?
• Should monopolies be allowed?
• Is universal basic income a good idea?
• Should corporations have a higher or lower tax rate?
• Are school uniforms a good idea?
• Should PE affect a student’s grades?
• Should college be free?
• Should Greek life in colleges be abolished?
• Should students be taught comprehensive sex ed?

Arts/Culture

• Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?
• Should books with objectionable words be banned?
• Should content on YouTube be better regulated?
• Is art education important?
• Should art and music sharing online be allowed?

How to Argue Effectively

A strong argument isn’t just about having a good point. If you can’t support that point well, your argument falls apart.

One of the most important things you can do in writing a strong argumentative essay is organizing well. Your essay should have a distinct beginning, middle, and end, better known as the introduction, body and opposition, and conclusion.

This example follows the Toulmin model—if your essay follows the Rogerian model, the same basic premise is true, but your thesis will instead propose two conflicting viewpoints that will be resolved through evidence in the body, with your conclusion choosing the stronger of the two arguments.

Introduction

Your hook should draw the reader’s interest immediately. Questions are a common way of getting interest, as well as evocative language or a strong statistic

Don’t assume that your audience is already familiar with your topic. Give them some background information, such as a brief history of the issue or some additional context.

Your thesis is the crux of your argument. In an argumentative essay, your thesis should be clearly outlined so that readers know exactly what point you’ll be making. Don’t explain all your evidence in the opening, but do take a strong stance and make it clear what you’ll be discussing.

Your claims are the ideas you’ll use to support your thesis. For example, if you’re writing about how your neighborhood shouldn’t use weed killer, your claim might be that it’s bad for the environment. But you can’t just say that on its own—you need evidence to support it.

Evidence is the backbone of your argument. This can be things you glean from scientific studies, newspaper articles, or your own research. You might cite a study that says that weed killer has an adverse effect on bees, or a newspaper article that discusses how one town eliminated weed killer and saw an increase in water quality. These kinds of hard evidence support your point with demonstrable facts, strengthening your argument.

In your essay, you want to think about how the opposition would respond to your claims and respond to them. Don’t pick the weakest arguments, either— figure out what other people are saying and respond to those arguments with clearly reasoned arguments.

Demonstrating that you not only understand the opposition’s point, but that your argument is strong enough to withstand it, is one of the key pieces to a successful argumentative essay.

Conclusions are a place to clearly restate your original point, because doing so will remind readers exactly what you’re arguing and show them how well you’ve argued that point.

Summarize your main claims by restating them, though you don’t need to bring up the evidence again. This helps remind readers of everything you’ve said throughout the essay.

End by suggesting a picture of a world in which your argument and action are ignored. This increases the impact of your argument and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

A strong argumentative essay is one with good structure and a strong argument , but there are a few other things you can keep in mind to further strengthen your point.

When you’re crafting an argument, it can be easy to get distracted by all the information and complications in your argument. It’s important to stay focused—be clear in your thesis and home in on claims that directly support that thesis.

Be Rational

It’s important that your claims and evidence be based in facts, not just opinion. That’s why it’s important to use reliable sources based in science and reporting—otherwise, it’s easy for people to debunk your arguments.

Don’t rely solely on your feelings about the topic. If you can’t back a claim up with real evidence, it leaves room for counterarguments you may not anticipate. Make sure that you can support everything you say with clear and concrete evidence, and your claims will be a lot stronger!

What’s Next?

No matter what kind of essay you're writing, a strong plan will help you have a bigger impact. This guide to writing a college essay is a great way to get started on your essay organizing journey!

Brushing up on your essay format knowledge to prep for the SAT? Check out this list of SAT essay prompts to help you kickstart your studying!

A bunch of great essay examples can help you aspire to greatness, but bad essays can also be a warning for what not to do. This guide to bad college essays will help you better understand common mistakes to avoid in essay writing!

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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601 Controversial Questions & Topics for Research, Essays, & Debate

People constantly participate in passionate debates about sensitive and divisive societal issues. Some may utilize memes or social media to discuss hot topics, while others join online forums and blogs. Even though controversial topics are believed to address trivial issues, many may have a tangible impact on the world and global problems.

Below, you’ll find a list of controversial questions and topics for research that can come in handy on days when you lack inspiration!

🔝 Top 10 Controversial Questions in 2024

🤔 most controversial questions — and why.

• 🏫 Topics for High School Students
• 🎓 Topics for College Students

🔎 Controversial Research Topics

• 📝 Controversial Argumentative Topics

💼 Controversial Business Topics

🏥 controversial medical topics, 🔬 controversial science topics, 💡 controversial philosophical questions, 😛 funny controversial topics, 🗣️ controversial debate topics, 🔗 references.

• Why should brain control techniques in psychology be banned?
• How to stop sexual abuse in the motion picture industry?
• How is homosexuality discriminated against in the 21st century?
• Does drug control help to reduce drug consumption among teenagers?
• What is the role of plastic pollution in global warming?
• How to make domestic violence victims speak out?
• Why are alternatives to prison sentences more effective?
• What is the impact of human overpopulation on food security?
• What is the positive impact of free trade on the international market?
• Why do abusive power and control often take part in modern relationships?

A controversial topic differs from others in that it causes considerable disagreement, debate, and varied emotional reactions in society. It usually involves opposing points of view, beliefs, or interests.

Below, we’ve listed several most controversial questions and explained what makes them such.

❔ Should abortion be legalized around the world?

Abortion is controversial due to its ethical, moral, and legal consequences. It raises the question of the fetus’ rights to life and a person’s right to govern their own body.

❔ What are the most effective measures to prevent gun violence?

Gun control is among the most controversial and emotional topics in many nations. Its discussion is mainly centered around two questions:

• Can the limit on people’s right to bear weapons be considered an unfair restriction on liberty?
• Is there a link between gun ownership and crime?

❔ Should capital punishment be canceled?

Opponents of the death sentence point out its inhumanity, irreversibility, and unfairness due to the persistence of racial and economic inequalities. Proponents believe that it is reasonable retribution for specific acts and is effective in deterring crime and protecting society.

❔ To what degree should freedom of speech be protected?

Freedom of speech is controversial because society struggles to define its limits. There is still a need to find a balance between safeguarding the freedom of expression and protecting individuals against the harm caused by speech.

❔ What measures should be taken to stop global warming?

The global warming controversy refers to the public dispute over whether the planet is getting warmer. Also, people argue about the leading causes of climate change, its consequences, and methods to stop it.

🏫 Controversial Topics for High School Students

Investigating controversial topics may help high school students develop critical thinking skills, engage in meaningful dialogues, and expand their awareness of challenging social issues. Below you can find some controversial questions for students!

• Should sports classes in school be mandatory?
• Abortion as a controversy .
• Why can technologies destroy the world?
• The benefits of year-round school.
• Circumcision as a controversial topic in the United States .
• Social networks make people less social.
• Alcohol should be banned under 25.
• Child labor and exploitation controversies .
• Bad parenting is a leading reason for childhood obesity .
• Is it time to decriminalize prostitution ?
• Same-sex marriage as a moral controversy .
• Happiness is more crucial than a career.
• Zoos around the world should be closed.
• The controversy over marijuana legalization .
• Why will cryptocurrencies replace cash?
• The institution of marriage is a relic of the past.
• Genetic engineering and cloning controversy .
• Climate change has already become irreversible.
• Why is playing online games a sport?
• Controversy about global warming: skepticism and reality .
• Alternative medicines are more dangerous than helpful.
• Why is remote studying the future of education?
• Victorian period corset controversy .
• Leisure time is critical for working productivity.
• Is nationalism beneficial or harmful?
• The Barbie doll controversy in a Latinx community .
• The government should permit gay couples to adopt children .
• The positive side of smoking and vaping .
• Why is immigration a controversial topic in the US ?
• Should we outlaw the use of fatal force by police ?

🎓 Controversial Topics for College Students

Controversial topics often reflect current social challenges , allowing college students to contribute to discussions and decisions that influence the world around them. Look at the most interesting controversial debate questions for college that we have prepared for you!

• The crime behind animal testing in the beauty industry.
• Biracial adoption and its controversies .
• Why are many people ignoring cybersecurity ?
• The benefits of expanding stem cell research .
• The gun control controversy in the constitutional context .
• Why should churches and religious institutions pay taxes?
• The issue of media bias and discrimination in the modern world.
• Women in army infantry: controversial issues .
• Non-chemical cleaning products: worth the cost or not?
• Capitalism is an economic system that perpetuates inequality.
• The United States Patriot Act controversies .
• Should the death penalty be abolished in the US?
• The effectiveness of using hacking skills in business.
• Ethical controversies in COVID-19 pandemic regulations .
• Why is being transgender not a gender disorder ?
• The risk of religious discrimination in a multi-cultured society.
• Controversial art and censorship .
• Does a smoking ban reduce lung cancer rates?
• The influence of mixed-race backgrounds on personal development.
• Minimum wage policy and its impact: controversy .
• The importance of policies and religious accommodations at the workplace.
• How to raise awareness of women’s rights in society?
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis controversy .
• Legalization of marijuana for medical usage: for and against.
• What are the potentially harmful effects of consuming genetically modified food ?
• Dementia and its controversial treatment .
• The effects of globalization on national economies and job losses.
• How to reduce the incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction in society?
• The Jamestown massacre controversy .
• The efficiency of drug testing programs in schools .

Controversial research topics inspire discussions and push limits on established beliefs. In the following paragraphs, you can find risky but interesting controversial questions for your future study!

Controversial Topics in Education

• How do cell phones decrease learning productivity?
• The role of textbooks in education .
• The impact of fast food on students’ learning skills.
• Do armed guards reduce crime rates in schools?
• Why does education require political intervention ?
• The negative side of individualized approach in education .
• Advantages and disadvantages of tracking and grouping in classes.
• School sex education and teenage pregnancy in the United States .
• Does a college education lower the unemployment rate ?
• Early childhood education and its influence on success in the future.
• Education: internet courses versus traditional courses .
• Does a low level of IQ affect academic performance?
• The importance of detention in disciplining students.
• Labeling in special education .
• Does homeschooling provide a better education than traditional schooling?

Controversial Psychology Topics

• What factors contribute to the persistence of stereotypes in diverse societies?
• Happiness as a Way of Living and Perceiving Reality .
• The impact of advertising on the human brain and mental health.
• How does yoga affect a person’s mental state?
• Gaming influence on psychology and personality .
• The effect of biological factors on sexual orientation .
• Do violent video games influence real-life aggression?
• Psychology: does a criminal mind exist ?
• Placebo effect and its role in demonstrating the power of the mind.
• Can psychological profiling accurately forecast criminal behavior?
• Psychological testing: beneficial or harmful ?
• The impact of subconscious biases on decision-making.
• Does testimony from witnesses properly represent historical events?
• Experimental psychology: science vs. ideology .
• Do near-death experiences provide evidence of an afterlife?

Controversial Criminal Justice Topics

• Do mandatory minimum sentences lower crime rates?
• Racial bas in criminal justice systems and workplaces .
• The ethical side of capital punishment in the US .
• The role of racial bias in the criminal justice system.
• Recidivism in criminal justice: the prison system of America .
• Do private prisons put profit above inmate welfare?
• The effectiveness of body cameras in maintaining accountability and transparency.
• Ethical dilemmas in the criminal justice system .
• Is the drug war successful in lowering drug abuse?
• The impact of solitary confinement on the occurrence of mental disorders in prisoners.
• Non-inclusiveness of the criminal justice system .
• How to prevent sexual assault in the military ?
• The role of restitution in dealing with prison overcrowding .
• Cyberbullying as a criminal offense in Singapore .
• How does the prison system impact the mental health of prisoners ?

Controversial Political Questions

• Is wealth redistribution a successful way of addressing income inequality?
• Political culture: failure of democracy in Iraq .
• Do restrictive abortion policies decrease the abortion rates among teens?
• What impact do campaign funding regulations have on political corruption ?
• Mexican immigration as a political controversy .
• How do religious factors shape public opinion on LGBTQ+ rights?
• How to regulate the misinformation or propaganda inside the country?
• Abortion in Texas as a political issue .
• How does the accessibility of weapons affect the frequency of mass shootings ?
• What effect does immigration have on crime and public safety in host countries?
• Tolerance and political diversity in the US .
• Why does power concentration negatively affect press freedom?
• How do politicians reconcile private power interests and democratic values?
• Political ecologies of electronic waste: does it really make a difference ?
• What is the role of government in providing affordable healthcare ?

Controversial Environmental Topics

• Does the ban on plastic help to stop climate change?
• Environment: oil drilling in the Arctic National Refuge .
• Nuclear power as the solution for sustainable energy production.
• Can banning fast fashion be beneficial to the environment?
• The controversies of climate change .
• How does noise pollution affect marine life?
• Does recycling cause more trash in the environment?
• Global warming and the free rider problem .
• The benefits of efficient toilets in conserving water.
• The establishment of the carbon tax as a way to reduce carbon footprint.
• Global warming: myth or reality ?
• What threat to the Earth does overpopulation pose?
• The negative consequences of leftover foods in restaurants.
• It’s not my fault: global warming and moral responsibility .
• Would the ban on mining aid in preserving the environment?

📝 Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

Controversial argumentative essay topics require the student to investigate a problem, examine the evidence, and present a concise viewpoint on an issue. Some of the hottest topics are already waiting for you below!

• Should athletes be checked for steroid usage regularly?
• The controversy between free will and determinism .
• Procrastination has a negative influence on critical thinking.
• Pharmacies should provide teenagers with free contraception.
• Operation Geronimo: controversy and the legal authority .
• Torture can be efficient in solving some crimes.
• Why should computer addiction be treated seriously?
• Should illegal immigrants be made legal citizens ?
• Prenuptial agreements can strengthen families’ relationships.
• Why should media violence be censored?
• Should smoking be illegal ?
• Are social networks helpful, or are they just a waste of time?
• Cyberbullying should have legal consequences.
• Have “three-strikes” laws been effective and should they be continued ?
• Religious courses should be mandatory for everyone.
• Why is modern technology too isolating?
• Should Georgia legalize gambling to raise revenue ?
• Tourist tax is essential to protect cultural heritage .
• All individuals should have the right to possess firearms.
• The Right-to-Die bill: why all states should pass it .
• Do TV shows reinforce harmful stereotypes?
• Values of fashion should not contradict the healthy body image .

Controversial Questions About Art

• Why is the depiction of nudity in art considered vulgar?
• Pornography vs. artistic nude photographs .
• Should obscene artistic expression without “serious artistic value” be censored?
• Why is art not an objective branch of human culture?
• Graffiti as a monumental form of art .
• Can governments stop the trafficking of antiquities?
• What role does criticism play in modern art?
• Art and entertainment: is there any difference ?
• Are museums ready to cope with competition and demands for change?
• Why is visiting a theater good for cultural growth?
• Freedom of expression in artworks .
• Why are new directions in architecture widely criticized?
• Is an artwork’s worth determined by its price?
• Defining art in the past and present .
• Can graffiti be considered a legitimate form of art?

Controversial History Questions

• Is the existence of Atlantis not entirely mythical?
• How has the invention of gunpowder affected the world ?
• Why is it not true that pyramids were built by slaves in Egypt?
• What would be with Germany if Hitler had not happened?
• How did WWI change women’s role in America ?
• What was the leading cause of the American Civil War ?
• Who funded the assassins of Archduke Ferdinand?
• What led up to the assassination of Julius Caesar ?
• Why was slavery unprofitable for enslavers?
• From whom did Charles Darwin get his idea of evolution?
• Jacksonian democracy: who benefitted ?
• Why was Galileo tortured for his beliefs?
• Who actually wrote Shakespeare’s plays?
• Was the Industrial Revolution positive for society ?
• How did European pathogens cause the decline of the Cahokia and Mississippian mounds?

Controversial Opinion Questions

• Why should religion be separated from politics?
• Euthanasia in public opinion and policy-making .
• Do a person’s thoughts and behavior contribute to mental illnesses?
• How can curfews keep teens out of trouble?
• Internet in our life: personal opinion .
• Why are immigrants more of a benefit rather than a problem?
• Are social media platforms accountable for the material they publish?
• Money and expenditures: personal opinion .
• What is the harmful impact of homework ?
• Should LGBT+ problems be discussed during school sex education classes?
• Our opinions on vaccines and what factors influence them .
• Why allowing a child to be overweight is a form of child abuse ?
• How can smartphones damage our IQs?
• Opinions about euthanasia: for and against .
• Why is war never an option for solving international disputes?

Like any other sphere, business has many exciting topics that provoke deep discussion and boost people’s curiosity. Here are some ideas that you can use for your papers!

• The issue of discrimination and harassment at the workplace.
• Business ethics and CSR: when corporate values must be upgraded .
• How does abuse of leadership authority impact employees’ productivity?
• The risks of nepotism and favoritism in big corporations.
• Samsung and child labor: business ethics case .
• How to find the balance between work and personal life?
• The ethical side of corporate espionage.
• Business ethics: Indian tea plantation workers .
• Social media networks should be blocked at work.
• Why are remote workers more productive?
• Business ethics of concealing facts in a report .
• The efficiency of open-space offices in creating fresh business ideas.
• Companies should provide health care to part-time employees.
• Management issues: diversity in the workplace .
• How to avoid ethical issues in the business industry?
• A casual dress code should be mandatory in the office.
• Socialization of people with disabilities in the workplace .
• Will AI replace human jobs soon?
• Minimum wages should be increased around the world.
• Workplace sexual harassment and legal boundaries .
• Stakeholder capitalism as a fundamental violation of fiduciary duty.
• How to deal with a toxic working environment?

Controversial Topics in Business Management

• How to obtain an advantage over competitors ethically?
• Artificial intelligence in strategic business management .
• The importance of workforce diversity in global organizations.
• Participative management approach as a method to empower the workforce.
• Women minorities in business management .
• Why is it vital to implement quality management systems ?
• Employers should make accommodations for employees with mental health issues.
• The marginal productivity of labor in business management .
• All workplace relationships should be banned.
• Time management as a way to boost productivity.
• Moral wayfinding for a business manager .
• Outsourcing as a way of redirecting the company’s resources.
• The effectiveness of banning political discussion in resolving labor conflicts.
• Technological changes in business management .
• Why is focusing on customer service not vital in the business industry?

Controversial Marketing Topics

• Overpromising as a harmful way to gain customers’ trust.
• Marketing: social responsibility and the law .
• Misusing customer data should be punished by the government.
• How does misleading pricing affect the number of sales?
• Is it necessary to develop a marketing plan ?
• The risks and benefits of controversial marketing.
• The impact of colors on the brand and marketing campaigns .
• Advertising to children and social responsibility .
• Why should advertising potentially dangerous products be banned?
• Virtual influencers in marketing and their impact on teenagers.
• Sex in advertising and its harmful effects .
• Recycling content as a way to draw more customers.
• What is the role of social justice issues in ads of popular brands?
• Pharmaceutical advertising is propaganda .
• The role of racial diversity in marketing campaigns.

Controversial medical topics can inspire passionate discussions within healthcare. In the following paragraphs, you can check out the hottest ideas to discuss in the medical field!

Controversial Nursing Topics

• The importance of nurses in end-of-life care .
• Staffing issues in nursing .
• How long should nurses rest between patients?
• The benefits and drawbacks of nurse-physician collaboration .
• Circumcision ethical dilemma and a nurse’s role in it .
• The efficiency of nursing unions in defending nurses’ rights.
• Medical errors and disclosure in pediatric nursing .
• Nurse Robaczynski’s case: crime or mercy killing ?
• Nursing approaches to ophthalmic care for older adults.
• What is the value of informed consent in nursing practice?
• Drug addiction among nurses .
• The worth of nursing leadership in fostering a culture of transparency.
• The role of nurses in addressing medical futility.
• Nurses’ work-life balance and patient safety .
• How to balance patient autonomy and healthcare professional expertise?

Controversial Public Health Topics

• Should medical experiments on humans be legalized?
• Vaccination as a public health policy issue .
• The pros and cons of exercising for pregnant women.
• Social media disinformation as a key cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy .
• Abortion from legal and public health perspectives .
• How should the issue of obesity be treated?
• The impact of the coronavirus on a specific vulnerable population.
• Sugary drink tax as a public health policy .
• Did COVID-19 give a boost to telemedicine ?
• The opioid crisis is a public health catastrophe.
• Is bottled water safe for public health ?
• The impact of aging water and sewer infrastructure on health.
• Why are electronic cigarettes more harmful than regular ones?
• Firearm violence as a public health issue .
• Federal privacy laws should protect the privacy of patients.

Controversial Medical Ethics Topics

• Medical students’ involvement in patient care: for or against.
• Patient’s violence and the use of the doctor’s force .
• Is it ethical for healthcare workers to accept gifts from patients?
• The peculiarities of working with surrogate decision-makers.
• Medical ethics: a do-not-resuscitate order .
• How to address disparities in health care professionally?
• The importance of patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Medical ethics: performing an unnecessary test .
• The possible pitfalls of legalization of organ transplantation .
• Euthanasia should be a free choice of a patient.
• Is lying to patients against medical ethics ?
• What is the ethical side of DNR orders ?
• Moral dilemmas concerning physician-assisted suicide .
• Medical ethics: pet euthanasia .
• How should malpractice and negligence in healthcare be punished?

Controversial Questions about Mental Health

• Why is self-help in coping with mental disorders a waste of time?
• What are the dangers of fad diets for mental health ?
• Are mental health issues a result of personality weakness or character flaws?
• Do children experience mental health issues?
• What causes medication administration errors in a mental health hospital ?
• How to prevent a mental health condition?
• What is the role of psychosurgery in treating depression?
• How does ageism affect mental health and addiction ?
• Why do people use self-harm to overcome traumatic experiences?
• Is hearing voices the first symptom of schizophrenia ?
• What are the mental health issues in incarcerated adults ?
• Why is having bipolar disorder considered fancy among teenagers?
• What is the role of practical pharmacotherapy in child psychiatry ?
• How can violence potential be assessed in forensic psychiatric institutions ?
• How can suicidal behavior be unnoticed in society?

Do you need a controversial scientific topic for your term paper or essay? Read on to find the perfect topics on science that you can use in your favor!

• Science should try to revive extinct species.
• Vaccines and autism: does the controversy persist ?
• Will expanding stem cell research be beneficial?
• The role of genes in determining a person’s behavior.
• Controversies related to technology: newborn screening .
• What is the evidence of life on other planets?
• The scientific side of reincarnation .
• Controversies between religion and science .
• Why should alternative medicine be forbidden?
• Genetic variations as the leading cause of alcoholism.
• How is science demarcated from pseudoscience ?
• The efficiency of symptomatic care in the separation of conjoined twins .
• Is it possible to create a virus in the lab?
• Faith and science: did Darwin kill God ?
• The impact of scientific creationism on education.
• Why should the development of neural lace technology be banned?
• Cyber-science: fiction or modern reality ?
• Why should people have the right to refuse vaccinations?
• Should governments invest significant resources in space exploration ?
• The promises and perils of artificial intelligence .
• The ethical aspects of human cloning for medical purposes.
• Why is animal testing necessary?

Controversial Biology Topics

• Drinking a lot of water wipes away the vital nutrients the body needs.
• Is gender a culturally or biologically perscribed role ?
• Why are overweight people more likely to develop chronic diseases ?
• Current generations are responsible for preventing climate change.
• Mind-body problem in psychobiology .
• Charles Darwin’s evolution hypothesis may not be flawless.
• The potential for gene editing to heal genetic diseases .
• Substance abuse: environmental influences and biology .
• Cancer treatment does additional harm to the health.
• The debate in evolutionary biology regarding the validity of the molecular clock. 
• Biotechnology: impact on biological warfare and biodefense .
• What are healthy bacteria that should remain in the body?
• The impact of synthetic biology on the environment.
• Advantages and disadvantages of stem cell research .
• What are the evolutionary origins of homosexuality ?

Controversial Engineering Topics

• The design and construction of weaponry should be banned.
• Engineering professionalism and ethics .
• What is the ethical side of bioengineering?
• The possible consequences of the “conflict mineral” exploitation.
• Loudness war in sound engineering .
• How can AI replace humans in engineering processes?
• The debate between imperial and metric measurements.
• Green engineering: principles, benefits, and constraints .
• Why do environmental engineers play a huge role in mitigating climate change?
• The safety of products and structures is a crucial concern for engineers.
• Human factor engineering problem: carpal tunnel syndrome .
• Manipulation of organisms with the help of genetic engineering .
• Why do males dominate the engineering industry?
• Ethical dilemmas in software engineering: Volkswagen ethical dilemma .
• The efficiency of chemical engineering technologies in diagnosing diseases.

Controversial Chemistry Topics

• How do chemical agendas impact cultural values or religious ideas?
• Government preparedness to chemical and bio terrorism .
• The role of chemistry in the prediction of environmental or health problems.
• Chemical weapons as a primary threat to the world.
• Chemical pollution and loans in business ethics .
• The role of chemical laboratories in increasing drug abuse rates.
• How does desalinated water impact human health?
• Dumping chemical wastes in the lake .
• The negative side of using nuclear energy .
• Why is avoiding pesticides in agriculture vital?
• An unethical decision of the Rongping Chemical Company .
• The use of radiant energy in making food safer.
• What is the potential side effect of fluoridation?
• Chemical impact on the US vulnerable communities .
• The safety of using BPA in food packaging .

Deep, controversial questions can challenge our beliefs and prompt introspection. Check out the most contentious philosophical questions that you can use for your essay or paper below!

• How can we identify good without knowing what evil is?
• What is the problem of evil in relation to philosophy and religion ?
• Do you have control over your destiny, or does everything happen by fate?
• Is happiness the most essential goal in life?
• Philosophy prospectus: why should we be moral ?
• Does life exist somewhere else in the universe?
• Is it immoral to distribute riches inequitably?
• Issues in philosophy: does God exist ?
• Is love simply a physical desire or something more?
• Can a life without friends still be fulfilling?
• Are there limits to what should be questioned ?
• What will happen when the world ends?
• Does religion have an impact on scientific thinking?
• Is euthanasia morally acceptable ?
• How can you know that your perceptions are accurate?
• What is the distinction between being alive and living?
• Is watching football morally acceptable ?
• Is beauty a subjective or objective concept?
• Are we ethically obliged to help others?
• Are rich countries morally obligated to assist poor countries ?
• Is suffering an unavoidable aspect of human life?
• What does an afterlife look like?
• When is the use of military force justified ?

Moral Controversial Topics

• Would you kill one person to save the lives of hundreds?
• What is the moral doctrine of active and passive euthanasia ?
• Why is there no absolute morality in the world?
• Is refusing life-saving medical care morally wrong?
• What is the moral status of an abnormal fetus ?
• Would you lie in the name of love?
• Does putting others before yourself give your life purpose?
• Should athletes be held to a higher moral standard ?
• Would you want to know when you are going to die?
• Would you go against the law to save someone you care about?
• What is the moral status of the human embryo ?
• Would you use a dating service to find a lover?
• Can money buy happiness?
• Is it morally permissible to drive after having one drink ?
• What would you change in the world if you could?

Controversial Religious Topics

• How does religion impact a woman’s right to have an abortion?
• Religion in schools: is there a place for it ?
• What are the negative consequences of blasphemy laws?
• Why should animal sacrifice be banned in every religion?
• What are the consequences of religious freedom in America ?
• Why do autopsy laws conflict with religious objections?
• Is there scientific evidence for God’s existence ?
• Is religion the root of terrorism ?
• Why is gay marriage not supported in many religions?
• Can prayer affect the fate of events?
• What are the religious and moral aspects of slavery ?
• How should the church respond to racial injustice and discrimination ?
• Why can’t Satanism be a valid religion?
• Is Islam a religion that practices just war?
• Do religions cause more conflict than they solve?

Do you know that funny, controversial questions can provide you with a dose of laughter and debate at the same time? Look at the entertaining topics we have prepared for you!

• Why are women often used as inspiration for writing poems?
• Should apartments ban dogs based on breed ?
• How quickly can children become addicted to video games?
• Why is procrastination necessary for achieving goals?
• Should stimulants be prescribed to boost grades ?
• What impact does noise pollution have on human well-being?
• Why should guys avoid wearing skinny jeans?
• Should plant-based dairy be labeled as milk ?
• How to choose a role model for your children?
• Why do people enjoy making things complicated?
• Should schools distribute condoms ?
• Why may clowns frighten both children and adults?
• How to win an argument with the husband?
• Why pitbulls should not be banned .
• What are the most effective ways to survive a zombie apocalypse?
• What is the most useless talent in the world?
• Should spamming be illegal ?
• Why is listening to podcasts instead of music more beneficial?
• The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
• Should people be paid to stay healthy ?
• Only hardworking people can achieve their goals.
• What makes someone a “good person”?

Random Controversial Questions

• What are the leading causes of awkward dates?
• Gender stereotypes: should real men wear pink ?
• What is the importance of mandatory napping hours for adults?
• What is the proper technique for applying toothpaste on a brush?
• Should wolves come back to Colorado ?
• How does laughter influence academic success in elementary school?
• When is it useful to be a good liar?
• Why shouldn’t you have grades in school ?
• Why should pajamas be a part of the work dress code ?
• Why is retail therapy an effective method for boosting happiness?
• Repatriate or keep: should museums return artifacts ?
• What are the possible consequences of falling coconuts for human health?
• Why should wearing socks with sandals be banned?
• Should societies impose monogamy ?
• Why are emojis the superior way of communication?

Controversial Sports Topics

• Why should the use of animals in the sports industry be banned?
• The issue of violence in sports .
• The benefits and drawbacks of social media’s influence on the sports world.
• Why does money play an essential role in professional sports?
• Steroid use and sports .
• Advertising during football matches should be banned.
• Why should sports betting be legalized?
• Transgender women athletes in professional sports .
• The impact of funny nicknames on sports career.
• Gender discrimination is the biggest problem in the sports industry.
• Accessibility of sports facilities for people with disabilities .
• What are the risks and rewards of steroids in sports?
• The role of sport in preventing mental problems.
• Public funding for professional sports facilities .
• Why are all Brazilian athletes good at soccer?

Controversial Music Topics

• Why is rap music considered to promote rape?
• The need for censorship in the music industry .
• Michael Jackson : a musical genius or a mentally ill man?
• The role of classical music in improving learning skills.
• Hip-hop and violence: does this music genre promote crime ?
• The effectiveness of piracy laws in curbing illegal copying of songs.
• What is the secret behind the success of Justin Bieber?
• Tupac’s fake death conspiracy theory .
• The impact of music types on sleep quality .
• Why isn’t auto-tuned music real music?
• Controversies about how to interpret music .
• The importance of lyrics in modern pop songs.
• The relationship between music and lifestyle of a music fan.
• Legalizing free downloads of music and movies .
• Why is talent not important in the music industry in the 21st century?

Controversial Animal Topics

• Why is animal testing never justified?
• Is animal creativity possible ?
• The efficiency of government laws in protecting animals’ rights.
• The ethical drawbacks of horse racing.
• Using animals in medical experiments .
• What should there be the penalty for animal poachers?
• What are the effective ways to prevent animal extinctions?
• Animal welfare: why animals should be treated with kindness and respect .
• Sacrificing an animal for religious reasons: an ethical side.
• What are humans’ responsibilities to animals?
• Captivity in zoos adversely affects animals .
• Using animals for food should be banned.
• The impact of farming on the environment.
• Animal transplantation and commerce in organs .
• Why should keeping exotic animals as pets be illegal?

Social Media Controversial Topics

• The influence of social networks on self-esteem.
• Social media’s influence on the children and teens .
• Social networks as a method to manipulate people.
• The importance of digital connectedness in modern society.
• Transparency of services: social media and the Internet usage .
• How to stop the dissemination of fake news on Twitter?
• Digital friendship: benefits and possible drawbacks.
• Social media for children: threat or opportunity ?
• How does the platform BeReal differ from other social networks?
• The impact of Instagram masks on the perception of one’s appearance.
• Law enforcement: online crimes and social media .
• Why should politicians be banned from social media?
• Social networks as a platform for the emergence of new professions.
• Nursing professionalism in social media .
• Social media destroys creativity in teenagers.

Controversial Relationship Questions

• How does divorce impact a child’s mental health?
• Money issues in romantic and marital relationships .
• Is there a place for monogamy in today’s world?
• Why are mothers expected to prioritize their children’s needs over their own?
• Family relationships and dominant culture .
• Why is it important for a couple to move in together before marriage?
• How does violence in a family affect a child?
• Family relationships and response to health issues .
• Why is a man considered the head of the family?
• Is it good for spouses to have different religious beliefs?
• Domestic violence in same-sex relationships .
• Should couples put their careers above their relationships?
• Why should adoptive parents not hide information about a child’s biological origins?
• Interpersonal qualities for good relationships .
• How does betrayal impact relationships?

Controversial Food Questions

• What are the health risks of genetically modified foods?
• Labeling food with genetically modified organisms .
• Why should pineapple on pizza be banned?
• How does food misinformation in the media impact consumers’ choices?
• Food additives: dangers and health impacts .
• Why is McDonald’s the best fast-food restaurant in the world?
• What is bad about taking photos of food at restaurants?
• Is fast food really harmful and can it be healthy ?
• Why should people not eat meat daily?
• What is the role of a healthy diet in dealing with childhood obesity?
• Food consumption: enjoyment and ethics .
• Can your diet be modified to match your genetic profile?
• Why do people in different countries have opposite views on nutrition?
• Advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology in improving the nutritive value of foods .
• What are the main risks of eating too much sweets?

Looking for controversial questions to debate in the classroom or during the conversation? Check out the list we’ve created especially for you!

• Addicts should receive help rather than punishment.
• Breastfeeding and bottle feeding controversies .
• Why does the beauty industry create unrealistic beauty standards ?
• Is it possible for alternative energy to replace fossil fuels effectively?
• Rationalism and empiricism controversy .
• The possible drawbacks of binge-watching .
• The importance of a parenting class before having a child.
• Holocaust denial and antisemitism ideas .
• Why is war never justified?
• Smoking e-cigarettes should be made illegal.
• Contemporary global controversies: labor standards .
• The single-gender schools are better for teenagers.
• Why should we ban “diet culture”?
• Debate on circumcision: is it unethical and unlawful ?
• Effective ways of solving the problem of ageism in society.
• The drawbacks of patriotism exceed the advantages.
• Mass starvation: is it a real danger for humans ?
• Why is it impossible to achieve world peace ?
• The negative impact of beauty pageants on self-esteem.
• Graffiti: is it art or vandalism ?
• Are pharmaceutical medication prices reasonable?
• Women are better at managing large corporations than men.
• Sport hunting: is it cruel to kill animals for sport ?
• Organ donation should be made compulsory.
• Why is feminism out of date in the 21st century?
• Criminal profiling: is it science ?
• Cryptocurrencies will replace traditional currencies soon.
• Corporate jobs are a new form of slavery.
• Obesity: is it a disease ?
• Why is blockchain technology the future?

❓ Controversial Questions FAQ

What is a controversial topic.

Controversial topics are topics that elicit strong emotions and divide opinions. Dealing with controversial issues may be highly emotional, especially if they involve values, beliefs, and ethical standards. At the same time, such topics help distinguish between fact and opinion and teach respect for other people’s viewpoints.

What Are Some Controversial Questions?

• Is freedom of speech essential in a functional society?
• Should burning the flag be punished?
• Is solar power the energy of the future?
• Should more people become vegetarian?
• Is tourism harmful to the environment?
• Will technology kill the world?

How to Present a Controversial Topic?

• Ensure you have all the necessary information and are well-versed in the subject.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon or technical terminology.
• Consider your target listeners’ age, gender, and ethnicity.
• Establish credibility by sharing accurate facts or relevant stories.
• Present both sides of the argument to be objective.
• Hot Topics and Controversial Issues | Texas State University
• Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High-Stakes Topics | University of Michigan
• What Do Americans Think About Controversial Topics in Schools? | USC Dornsife
• Topics | Brookings
• Issues and Controversies: Find a Topic | Marquette University
• Political Issues | Pew Research Center
• Issues & Controversies: topics on Crime and Juvenile Justice | A&M University
• Engaging in Discussions about Controversial Issues | Alys Avalos-Rivera
• Business Management Topics | The University of Maine
• Topics: Issues Related to Religion | The First Amendment Encyclopedia
• 5 Major Controversies and Challenges in Engineering | Interesting Engineering
• What Are the Top 10 Public Health Challenges in 2023? | News Medical
• Select a Research Topic: Current Events and Controversial Issues | Southern Adventist University
• 110+ Controversial Debate Topics to Challenge Your Students | We Are Teachers
• Addressing Controversial Issues | Council of Europe
• 100+ Interesting Debate Topics | Owlcation
• Room for Debate | The New York Times
• The 22 Debates That Made Us Rage, Roll Our Eyes, and Change Our Minds In 2022 | The New York Times
• Current Debates | SAGE edge
• Current Debates in Health Care Policy: A Brief Overview | Brookings

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High School Debate Topics

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• Teaching Resources
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• Tips & Strategies
• Policies & Discipline
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• School Administration
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Debates tend to instantly engage students, but they can also sharpen their research and public speaking skills. No matter your reasons for using them, having debates in your classroom is a sure way to get your students thinking and talking.

You may require your students to research debate topics before discussing them or even prepare speeches to state their point of view. Learning how to productively debate will improve your students' communication skills as they practice speaking and listening. These skills will serve them in college and the diverse career world beyond. 

Debate Topics

The following 50 debate topics  can be used in high school or advanced middle school classrooms. They are organized by genre and some can be modified for use in different subjects. Each item is listed in the form of a question to propose to your students that has at least two points of view.

Watch Now: Ideas for Great Classroom Debate Topics

Science and technology debate topics.

• Should human cloning be banned?
• Should renewable forms of energy be subsidized by the government?
• Should the U.S. government fund a space mission to Mars?
• Should social media comments be protected by free speech?
• Should parents be allowed to choose their baby's gender?
• Should animal testing be banned?
• Should the U.S. government provide internet service to every citizen?
• Are video games too violent for children?
• Should the manufacturing of nuclear weapons be permitted?

Laws and Politics Debate Topics

• Is it ever appropriate for the government to restrict freedom of speech?
• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Should citizens who do not vote be fined?
• Is the right to bear arms a necessary constitutional amendment today?
• Should the legal voting/driving/drinking age be lowered or raised?
• Should a border fence be constructed between the U.S. and Mexico?
• Should America give foreign aid to other countries?
• Should drone attacks against specific targets be used for modern warfare?
• Should affirmative action be abolished?
• Should the  death penalty  be abolished?
• Should microaggressions be punishable by law?
• Should the cruel treatment of animals be illegal?

Social Justice Debate Topics

• Should partial-birth abortion be illegal?
• Should all parents be required to attend parenting classes before having a child?
• Should parents be required to vaccinate their children?
• Should mixed martial arts be banned?
• Should celebrities be required to be positive role models?
• Should people be fined for not recycling?
• Are progressive tax rates just?
• Should performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in sports?
• Should marijuana use be considered a crime?

Education Debate Topics

• Should every student be required to take a performing arts course?
• Should homework be banned?
• Should school uniforms be required?
• Is year-round education is a good idea?
• Should physical education be required of all high school students?
• Should all students be required to perform community service?
• Should schools block YouTube?
• Should students be able to leave school grounds for lunch?
• Are single-sex schools better for student learning and mental health?
• Should schools punish cyberbullying that occurs outside of school?
• Should teachers not be allowed to contact students through social media?
• Should public prayer be allowed in schools?
• Should high-stakes state testing be abolished?
• Should poetry units be removed from the curriculum?
• Is History (or another subject) actually an important subject in school?
• Should schools be allowed to track students by academic level?
• Should students be required to pass algebra to graduate?
• Should students be graded on their handwriting?
• Should all students be required to co-op?
• Should the theory of creation be taught in schools?
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60 Debate Topics for High Schoolers

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What’s Covered:

What makes a good debate topic, good debate topics for teens.

• Where to Get Feedback on Your Debate Topics

Learning to view, think, and discuss ideas from contrasting viewpoints builds a host of skills that will benefit high schoolers both in and out of the classroom—including improving public speaking, reinforcing listening, and sharpening research. Good debate topics for high school students are key to lively discussion and an engaged classroom; they’re issues that students care about. 

A good debate topic for high school is one that inspires students to think and learn about both sides of the issue. There are a few factors to consider when searching for good debate topics for high school students.

• Clear Idea: A good debate topic clearly, simply, and specifically states an often complex idea that students can argue the affirmative (pro) side of and the negative (con) side of.
• Interest: The more interesting the topic is, the more engaged and excited students are to take positions and defend them. 
• Passion: Topics that students feel strongly about work well. If students are super-passionate about a particular issue, it can challenge them to see both sides of the argument. 
• Argument: Good debate topics do not have a clear “right” answer—rather, they have opposing views that participants can make persuasive arguments in favor of or against. 
• Evidence: The availability of evidence and data is key to a good debate topic; without them, participants are merely stating a personal position on a topic. 
• Avoid Cliches: There are a handful of topics that seem to always materialize for debates and can cause students to lose interest. 

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• Are the arts an important aspect of education? 
• Should we make financial education mandatory? 
• Should students attend school year-round? 
• Should schools punish students for bullying that occurs outside of school?
• Will computers replace teachers in the future?
• Should students grade their teachers?
• Should all high school sports become gender-neutral?
• Is a college education as valuable as it once was? 
• Are student loans exploitative? 
• Is it time to eliminate standardized tests? 

Science and Technology

• Is social media making us less social?
• Is Google the best search engine or just the one we’re accustomed to using? 
• Is Android better than iOS? 
• Will technology save the world or destroy it? 
• Can the law keep pace with technology?
• Is the future of school online?
• Will cryptocurrencies replace cash?   
• Is technology taking jobs or creating them? 
• Should every American have the right to access the internet? 
• Are electronic libraries more equitable than traditional ones? 

Government and Politics

• Should the government make vaccinations mandatory?
• Is it time for Supreme Court justices to have term limits? 
• Should we make voting mandatory?
• Should we make all drugs legal?
• Is it time to decriminalize sex work? 
• Is our privacy more important than national security?
• Is it fair to take the right to vote away from felons? 
• Should we raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour?
• Should the government provide universal basic income? 
• Is providing healthcare the job of the government?
• Can governments implement policies that will actually combat climate change?   
• Should we allow the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
• Should we remove racial epithets from books like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ?
• Can the U.S. achieve gender equality?
• Is nationalism beneficial or dangerous? 
• Does religion do more harm than good?
• Should we bar police from using lethal force?
• Do we still need the institution of marriage? 
• Can the U.S. ever achieve racial equality?
• Are we living in a dystopian society?
• Should we punish or help drug addicts? 
• Is bad parenting responsible for the rise in childhood obesity?
• Should we sell birth control over the counter? 
• Is it time to ban cigarettes and vaping? 
• Are alternative medicines helpful or harmful?
• Should we ban businesses from advertising to children?
• Is the eight-hour workday outdated? 
• Should we treat corporations like people?
• Should corporations be involved in politics? 
• Is remote work the future of employment? 
• Is gaming a sport? 
• Are books a better entertainment option than television?
• Should social media companies censor content? 
• Is civil disobedience the most effective form of protest? 
• Should we ban football? 
• Should Black Friday sales start on Thanksgiving Day?
• What better determines success: skill or will?
• Should you feel guilty for killing zombies during the zombie apocalypse? 
• Should you choose pizza toppings based on taste or nutrition? 
• Are hot dogs sandwiches?

Where to Get Feedback on Your Debate Arguments 

A vital part of debate preparation is to test your arguments to ensure they specifically address the topic and collectively form a cohesive point. Make sure you consider both sides of the argument to better be prepared for a rebuttal.

Before stepping up to argue your side of the issue, test your argument on CollegeVine’s free peer review essay tool to get feedback for free from a peer!

As you get ready for college, it is important to understand how your extracurriculars, like debate, factor into your chances of acceptance. Check out our free chancing calculator to find the best-fit school for you.

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