fbpx

Debating Debatable Topics

By Eric Eng

By Eric Eng

Junior high school students doing debate as group work

Debating Debatable Topics

Debating Debatable Topics: Navigating Challenging Issues With Critical Thinking And Respect

Communication has been at the heart of civilization since the beginning of time. When people can’t talk to each other, fights happen! People talk to each other in modern times, both for fun and to talk about important things. Even when politics are heated and people have different ideas, whole societies need to be able to communicate well in order to survive and grow, so it’s important to understand and research debatable topics.

Arguments happen when two people can’t get along because they have different ideas and beliefs. But in most formal settings where two people who disagree are talking, they can have a conversation that doesn’t have to lead to a fight. We call it a “debate,” which is a formal discussion between two opposing sides about their different points of view. Some call it an “intellectual sport.”

Is debate a must for college students?

Is debate a must for college students? In ancient Greece, debates were used to teach people about history. Aristotle, the Sophists, and Protagoras were some of the first people to use it. Debates are also used in modern education to help students learn, especially in subjects that require critical thinking and cognitive reasoning.

In many college classes, a debate is a way to get students to talk and get involved. Through debates, students could look into complicated topics that came up in class and use what they had learned to back up their arguments. By understanding how complicated and controversial topics are, they are able to learn more and get new learning outcomes. Their old ideas could also be questioned, which would help them learn more about different issues. They get to put theories and facts they’ve learned to use and evaluate complicated topics by thinking critically.

Group of students sitting on their table.

Debates are a great way for students to learn more and change what they think and believe. They also help students broaden their intellectual horizons.

What are the advantages of debates in college?

What are the advantages of debates in college? In ancient Greece, debates were used to teach people about history. Some of the first p Debates are a great way for students to develop a dynamic mindset and master important learning skills like communication, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Practicing argument skills through debatable topics helps students develop and improve their thinking and speaking skills.

Debates also help them learn how to make logical arguments because they force them to explain their points of view and use good rhetoric. In the process, they also learn to be sure of themselves and keep their cool when things get tough. Other good things that can come from college debates are:

Develop critical thinking skills: Debating requires students to analyze and evaluate arguments critically. By researching and preparing for debates, students learn how to identify logical fallacies, assess evidence, and construct persuasive arguments.

Improve communication skills: Debating also improve students’ communication skills, including public speaking, articulation, and persuasive speaking. Students learn how to express their ideas effectively and how to respond to counterarguments and critiques.

Build confidence: Debating can help students build confidence and overcome their fear of public speaking. It provides students with an opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience and to receive feedback on their performance.

Learn to collaborate: Debates are often team-based, requiring students to work together to develop arguments and coordinate their presentations. This collaboration builds teamwork skills and encourages students to work towards a common goal.

Gain knowledge: Debates require students to research and learn about different topics, from politics and social issues to science and technology. This process expands their knowledge and understanding of various subjects, preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits.

Foster open-mindedness: Debating exposes students to different perspectives and encourages them to consider different viewpoints. It promotes open-mindedness and tolerance and helps students develop the ability to consider multiple sides of an argument.

How to select good debatable topics?

How to select good debatable topics? A good topic for a debate is one that lets everyone learn about both sides of an issue. When choosing a debate topic, think about the following:

Young woman speaking in public.

Interest: Do you want to know more about it? Would the topic be interesting to both the people in your class and the people who came to hear the debate? When you choose a topic you’re interested in, it’s more fun to prepare for the debate and makes the debate itself more lively.

Argument potential: You should choose a debate topic that could lead to good arguments. If one side is clearly right or if there isn’t much information to go on, it will be hard to make a good argument.

Access to data: Points of data make an argument stronger. You should choose a topic that has a lot of real-world evidence that you can use to back up your claim.

Now that we know how to choose a topic for a debate, let’s look at some good ones.

Gun control: Should there be stricter gun control laws or should citizens have the right to own guns for self-defense and recreation?

Abortion: Should abortion be legal or illegal, and under what circumstances?

Climate change: Is climate change caused by human activity, and what can we do to address it?

Capital punishment: Should the death penalty be abolished, or is it a necessary tool for punishing heinous crimes?

Immigration: Should immigration laws be more restrictive or more lenient, and how should countries handle illegal immigrants?

Healthcare: Should healthcare be a right or a privilege, and how should it be funded and administered?

Same-sex marriage: Should same-sex couples have the right to marry, or is marriage a union between a man and a woman?

Artificial intelligence: Will artificial intelligence bring about a utopian future or a dystopian one, and how can we ensure it benefits humanity?

Social media: Does social media have a positive or negative impact on society, and should it be regulated more strictly?

Vaccines: Should vaccines be mandatory, or should individuals have the right to refuse them?

Debates can be fun and teach you a lot, but they can also be hard and drain you emotionally. To have productive debates, you need to do your homework, gather evidence, and stay calm and logical. Listen to different points of view and try to figure out what values and assumptions they are based on. Above all, be kind and respectful to other people, even if you don’t agree with them.

Debatable topics are an important part of public conversation and a way to learn and understand more. By having debates, we can test our beliefs, learn from each other, and open our minds to new ideas. But we must go into debates with an open mind, be ready to listen, and respect different points of view.

Learn more about college by consulting with college admissions specialists like the ones found here in AdmissionSight. At AdmissionSight, we have over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process to get accepted to the top universities in the world. Feel free to set up an appointment today to book your initial consultation.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up now to receive insights on
how to navigate the college admissions process.