With the arrival of a new season, we kindly request that prospective members submit a 1500-word essay for team acceptance. You are welcome to choose from the following topics.
Here’s a list of debate essay topics that can stimulate thoughtful discussion and argumentation:
Social and Ethical Issues
Should social media platforms regulate content more strictly?
Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research?
Should the death penalty be abolished worldwide?
Is censorship ever justified?
Should assisted suicide be legalized?
Technology and Society
Is artificial intelligence a threat to human jobs?
Do the benefits of space exploration outweigh the costs?
Should governments regulate the use of facial recognition technology?
Is technology making us more isolated?
Should there be limits on data collection by tech companies?
Education
Should college education be free for everyone?
Is homework beneficial or harmful to students?
Should schools implement more practical life skills in their curriculum?
Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student ability?
Should schools ban the use of smartphones during school hours?
Environment and Sustainability
Should countries be legally bound to reduce carbon emissions?
Is nuclear energy a viable solution for the future?
Should there be a global ban on plastic bags?
Is climate change the greatest threat to humanity?
Should governments subsidize renewable energy sources?
Politics and Governance
Should voting be mandatory in democratic countries?
Is a universal basic income a solution to economic inequality?
Should governments have the right to monitor private citizens' communications?
Is the two-party system effective in representing the people?
Should there be stricter immigration policies?
Health and Medicine
Should vaccination be mandatory for all citizens?
Is the legalization of marijuana beneficial or harmful?
Should healthcare be a basic human right?
Is the pharmaceutical industry too powerful?
Should there be restrictions on fast food advertising?
Culture and Society
Is the portrayal of violence in media harmful to society?
Should cultural appropriation be condemned?
Are beauty pageants harmful to women’s self-esteem?
Should art be separated from the artist?
Is cancel culture necessary or harmful?
Debate Formats
Professional debating employs several structured formats, each with its unique rules and styles, aimed at ensuring fair and rigorous examination of arguments. One of the most well-known formats is the British Parliamentary (BP) debate. In this format, four teams of two members each compete against each other, divided into 'Opening Government,' 'Opening Opposition,' 'Closing Government,' and 'Closing Opposition.' Each speaker delivers a seven-minute speech, and the debate starts with the Prime Minister's constructive speech and ends with the Opposition Whip's speech. BP debates are widely used in international competitions, including the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC).