When it comes to participating in debates, the topics you select can make or break your performance.

A good debate topic is controversial enough to be interesting but not so controversial that it is impossible to find common ground. It should also be something you are passionate about and knowledgeable about.

Don't worry about finding the perfect debate topic; we are here to help you. Here is a list of 180 topics that can make you stand in front of your pals.

Dig in to find out!

Table Of Contents

180 Debate Topics That Can Make You Stand Out

Here is a comprehensive list of topics for a good debate.

Good Debate Topics For Students

As a student, it can be daunting to find a perfect debate topic. We have narrowed down some topics to help you choose from.

High School Students Debate Topics

• Is homeschooling a viable option for all children?
• Should the drinking age be lowered?
• Are zoos cruel to animals?
• Should the use of performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in professional sports?
• Is the death penalty an effective form of punishment?
• Are humans causing climate change?
• Should the voting age be lowered?
• Is our private school education system effectively preparing students for the real world?
• Should there be stricter gun control laws in the United States?
• Are reality television shows harmful to society?

Debate Topics For University Students

• Using animals for scientific research is unethical and should be banned.
• The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18.
• Marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes.
• Capital punishment is a barbaric practice and should be abolished.
• School uniforms should be mandatory in all schools.
• A Single-sex school and college is more effective than a co-ed school.
• Standardized tests are an ineffective measure of a student's ability and should be abolished.
• College tuition fees are too high and should be lowered.
• The voting age should be lowered to 16.
• Religion should not be taught in public schools.

Funny Debate Topics For Middle School Students

• Whether or not unicorns are real
• Whether or not the moon landing was staged
• Whether or not aliens exist
• Whether or not ghosts are real
• Whether or not Bigfoot is real
• Whether or not the Earth is flat
• Whether or not time travel is possible
• Whether or not mind reading is possible
• Whether or not telekinesis is possible
• Whether or not there is life on other planets

Controversial Debate Topics

• Is the death penalty effective?
• Should abortion be legal?
• Is climate change real?
• Is gun control effective?
• Are zoos cruel?
• Should the drinking age be lowered?
• Should marijuana be legalized?
• Should school uniforms be mandatory?
• Are humans responsible for animal extinction?
• Is human cloning ethical?

Political Debate Topics

• The Electoral College and its rights
• Public speaking is the right of US citizens
• Money in Politics and its misuse
• Voter ID Laws and their importance
• Dark Money and its adversities
• Super PACs and their implications
• The Media and misuse
• Minimum wages are a menace
• Freedom of speech is our right
• Russian War and financial implications.

Easy Debate Topics

• Is homework harmful or helpful?
• Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student ability?
• Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to 18?
• Should the driving age be raised from 16 to 18?
• Should school uniforms or strict dress codes be implemented in schools?
• Is year-round schooling a good idea or a bad idea?
• Are single-sex schools better than co-ed schools?
• Is homeschooling a good option for kids?
• Are charter schools a good alternative to public schools?
• Should there be stricter gun control laws in the United States?

Debate Topics On Environment

• Is global warming a hoax?
• Are humans the main cause of global warming?
• Is the Paris climate agreement enough to combat climate change?
• Should we be doing more to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels?
• What is the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
• How can we adapt to the effects of climate change?
• What are the most effective methods of recycling?
• How can we reduce our reliance on single-use plastics?
• What is the best way to protect endangered species?
• What are the most effective methods of reducing air pollution?

Debate Topics On International Relations

• The impact of social media on international relations
• The role of the UN in international relations
• The rise of China and its impact on international relations
• The role of the EU in international relations
• International terrorism and its impact on international relations
• The Syrian refugee crisis and its impact on international relations
• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on international relations
• The war in Afghanistan and its impact on international relations
• Climate change and its impact on international relations
• Nuclear proliferation and its impact on international relations

Debate Topics On Government

• The size of the government
• The role of government
• Relationship between the government and the people
• The powers of the government
• Structure of the government
• The financing of the government
• The accountability of the government
• Transparency of the government
• The efficiency of the government
• Effectiveness of the government

Science Debate Topics

• Is global warming a real thing?
• Does the universe have a purpose?
• Are we alone in the universe?
• How did we come to be?
• What is the point of living?
• Should we bring extinct animals back to life?
• What are the ethical implications of cloning?
• Is it morally wrong to experiment on animals?
• Should we be able to patent genes?
• Is there such a thing as too much technology?

Biology Debate Topics

• Is evolution a fact or a theory?
• How important is DNA in determining who we are?
• What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
• Is genetic engineering ethical?
• Should we bring extinct species back to life?
• What is the definition of life?
• What is the difference between organic and inorganic matter?
• What are the three domains of life?
• How did the first cells form?
• What are the four main types of macromolecules?

General Debate Topics

• Is it better to be single or in a relationship?
• Is it better to live in a city or in the countryside?
• Is it better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances?
• Is technology making us more connected or more disconnected?
• Should school be mandatory for all children?
• Are exams an effective way of measuring intelligence?
• Is competition healthy or harmful?
• Are grades an accurate measure of intelligence?
• Does homework help or hinder learning?
• Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student achievement?

Social Media Debate Topics

• Is social media making us more isolated?
• Are we becoming too reliant on technology?
• Should the government do more to regulate social media?
• Should there be limits on what can be posted on social media?
• Is social media addiction a real thing?
• How does social media impact our mental health?
• Is social media damaging our relationships?
• Is social media desensitize us to violence and other disturbing content?
• Should parents be monitoring their children's social media use?
• What role should schools play in teaching students about responsible social media use?

Debate Topics On Poverty

• Is poverty a choice?
• Are wealthy people more likely to be happy?
• Does poverty lead to crime?
• Are poor people more likely to be obese?
• Should the government do more to help the poor?
• Are charities effective at alleviating poverty?
• Do rich countries have a responsibility to help poor countries?
• Is global poverty getting worse or better?
• What is the best way to reduce poverty in developing countries?
• What is the root cause of poverty?

Finance Debate Topics

• The role of the government in the economy
• The merits of capitalism vs. socialism
• The impact of globalization on the economy
• The role of the Federal Reserve in the economy
• Monetary policy and its impact on the economy
• Fiscal policy and its impact on the economy
• The housing market and its impact on the economy
• The stock market and its impact on the economy
• The role of small businesses in the economy
• The role of large businesses in the economy

Debate Topics On Parenting

• Should parents be allowed to spank their children?
• How much television should children be allowed to watch?
• Should parents be allowed to give their children junk food every day?
• Should parents be allowed to buy their children whatever they want?
• Should parents be allowed to put their children in time-out?
• Should parents be allowed to use physical punishment as a form of discipline?
• Should parents be allowed to send their children to bed without dinner?
• Should parents be allowed to yell at their children?
• Should parents be allowed to ground their children?
• Should parents be allowed to take away their children's privileges?

Debate Topics On Technology

• The impact of technology on our ability to interact with each other
• Increasing dependence on technology and its implications
• The role of technology in our increasingly globalized world
• The increasing use of artificial intelligence and its impact on society
• Increasing use of biometrics and its impact on privacy
• The impact of social media on our ability to communicate
• Impact of the internet on our ability to access information
• The increasing use of mobile phones and their impact on our health
• Role of technology in education
• The role of technology in the workplace

Debate Topics On Animal Abuse

• Is it morally wrong to experiment on animals?
• Is it morally wrong to eat animals?
• Should zoos be banned?
• Should the use of animals in sports be banned?
• Should the use of animals for entertainment be banned?
• Should the use of animals in scientific research be banned?
• Should the use of animals for food be banned?
• Should the keeping of animals as pets be banned?
• Should the hunting of animals be banned?
• Should the trade in animal products be regulated?

How to Select Perfect Debate Topics

Do you want to win your next debate? Of course, you do! Here are a few tips on selecting topics that will give you the best chance at success.

Do Your Research

The first step in selecting a good debate topic is to do your research. This means looking for topics that are current and relevant.

A good way to find relevant topics is to stay up to date by reading newspapers, watching the news, and listening to the radio. You can also follow news sources on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Once you have a list of potential topics, it’s time to narrow things down.

Consider Your Audience

When narrowing down your list of potential topics, it’s important to consider your audience. Who will you be debating with? What are their beliefs? What topics are they interested in?

By considering your audience, you can choose a topic that will be both interesting and engaging for them.

Be Passionate About Your Topic

Once you have narrowed your list of potential topics, it’s time to choose the one you are most passionate about. A good debate topic is one that you feel strongly about and know a lot about. When you are passionate about your topic, arguing your point and refuting your opponent’s arguments will be easier.

Selecting a good debate topic is essential if you want to win your next debate. The key is to find a topic that is controversial enough to be interesting but not so controversial that it is impossible to find common ground. It should also be something you are passionate about and knowledgeable about.

By following these tips, you can select the perfect debate topic for your next argument.