Written By Katherine Xue

Oftentimes, the hardest part about participating in a debate — whether formal or casual — is finding a topic to debate about. Luckily, we’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled a list of 50 mock debate topics below, ranked from easiest to hardest. Whether you’re an elementary school student, a first-time debater, or a seasoned coach looking for practice warm-ups, there’ll be a topic on this list for you. 

So, let’s get into it!

Easy: Elementary School Students (Ages 5-10):

For these topics, they’re largely one-or-the-other—simply put, debaters just have to make a choice between two topics, making it easier to debate. 

1. Should schools ban homework?
2. Are dogs better than cats?
3. Are zoos good for animals?
4. Video games are harmful for children. 
5. Hard work is more important than talent.
6. Invisibility is a better superpower than being able to fly. 
7. Should junk food be banned in schools?
8. Summer is a better season than winter. 
9. Chocolate is a better flavor than vanilla.
10. The ocean is more mysterious than outer space.
11. Is it better to be an only child or have siblings?
12. Is it better to live in the countryside or the city?
13. Should kids be allowed to have phones before the age of 10?
14. Every student should be required to learn how to play a musical instrument.
15. Is it better to give a gift or receive one?
16. Classrooms should have a class pet. 
17. Youtube is a better platform than TikTok. 

Medium: Middle School Students (Ages 11-13):

In comparison to the easier topics, these have a bit more nuance; here, you can expect healthy disagreement, longer speeches, and a bit of background research. 

1. The costs of a college education outweigh the benefits.
2. Does AI enhance or decrease the creativity of mankind?
3. The humanities are more important than STEM in school.
4. Should phones be allowed in K-12 classrooms?
5. Is it ethical to consume animal products?
6. Is standardized testing a fair and accurate measure of student ability?
7. Is space exploration worth the cost?
8. Should contact sports be banned in public schools?
9. The harms of being famous outweigh the benefits.
10. Should middle schoolers be required to learn a second language?
11. Is ambition more important than happiness?
12. Is AI making humans less intelligent?
13. Economic growth is more important than climate change. 
14. Class rankings do more harm than good.
15. Is athletic achievement or academic achievement more valued in American culture?
16. Should the US federal government regulate what people post on social media?
17. Is reality TV harmful or beneficial for society?

Hard: High School Students (Ages 14-18):

Here’s the real deal — many of these topics are inspired by real competitive debate resolutions used in national tournaments, which require a good amount of background research. No matter which topic you end up choosing, you can bet that you’ll gain lots of applicable real-world knowledge. 

1. The United States should increase its investment in high-speed rail. 
2. In the United States, social media is beneficial for democratic values.
3. The United States Federal Government should legalize all illicit drugs.
4. On balance, the benefits of veganism outweigh the harms.
5. The United States Federal Government should ban single-use plastics.
6. Raising the minimum wage does more good than harm.
7. Should the US Department of Fisheries invest in removing invasive species?
8. Should nuclear powers completely remove their nuclear stockpile?
9. On balance, whistleblowing is morally justified even when it breaks the law. 
10. The benefits of intellectual property laws outweigh the harms. 
11. The United States should adopt a universal basic income.
12. On balance, the influence of religion in politics does more harm than good. 
13. Autonomous weapons should be banned in international conflict. 
14. The United States should impose term limits on Supreme Court justices. 
15. On balance, economic sanctions are effective as a foreign policy tool. 
16. The United States should abolish the Electoral College. 

No matter where you’re starting with debate, these topics are a great place to start. Some may be a little unfamiliar, a little uncomfortable to debate — but that’s the whole point! Here at Potomac Debate Academy, that growth from learning and debating is what we champion — whether it’s prepping for tournaments with our seasoned coaches, or classroom drills and mocks, we have the resources to help you transform. So go find your topic and someone to argue with; you might just surprise yourself!