Students: Choose a topic in which to focus your formal argument writing and debate. Once you have decided a topic, check in with your teacher to be assigned a partner. Remember, one partner is arguing pro, the other partner is arguing con, but both sides should consider using counter-arguments within their speech.
You will also need to provide an MLA Works Cited page containing the sources you’ve used for your research; secondary sources cannot be older than five years.
*topics are decided on a first-come-first-served basis (per class period). If insufficient partners (pros and cons exist), students will be given the opportunity to change their topic until the next class period, otherwise a topic and partner will be assigned to them, so in-class research time (starting Wednesday 1/13) is not wasted.
Education
- Cheating is getting worse in today’s school systems.
- Reading and math should be taught in all subject areas.
- Standardized tests accurately measure all student abilities.
- Schools should offer cash bonuses for good test scores.
- Schools should rethink how long students spend in high school.
- Arts programs should be included in schools across the nation.
- STEM or STEAM programs should be included in schools across the nation.
- Physical education aids student performance across all academic areas.
- Schools should extend the school year.
- The dropout age should be raised.
- Students should be allowed to skip senior year of high school in exchange for work experience.
- School’s should group students by ability.
- Colleges should use admissions criteria other than sat scores and grades.
Technology and Social Media
- Technology is isolating society.
- Social media sites should be monitored by school administrators or work superiors.
- People should be allowed to obscure their identities online.
- Online learning is as good as face-to-face learning.
- Tablet computers should become the primary way students learn in class.
- Games should be used for classroom instruction.
- Paper books are becoming obsolete in lieu of digital learning.
- Robots are the way of the future.
Arts and Media
- Musical training makes people more successful in work or studies.
- Video games should be considered a sport.
- Pop culture deserves serious study as an element of education.
- The media has a negative effect on adolescents’ self-perception.
Gender and Social Issues
- There is too much pressure girls to have the perfect body.
- There is too much pressure for boys to be masculine.
- Girls should be choosing to pursue careers in math and science.
- Women should be allowed to fight on the front lines alongside men.
- Rights for men and women should be equal.
- Men should have the right to take a paid paternity leave.
- Affluent families should pay more taxes.
- The United States should be able to spy on its allies.
- New generations (Millennials onward) are more self-centered than earlier generations.
- Curse words and crude comedy have become so common they have lost their shock value.
Sports and Athletics
- Parents should not allow their children to play contact sports.
- Sports teams should not use names and mascots that are ethnically or racially based.
- Colleges should fund wellness programs instead of sports.
- College athletes should be paid as an employee of the school.
- Athletes using performance-enhancing drugs should forfeit their titles and medals.
- Home-schooled students should be allowed to play public school sports.
- Bike-share programs are beneficial to communities.
- Sports should not include prizes for participation.
Health and Nutrition
- The use of tobacco products is a problem among teenagers.
- The use of alcoholic products poses a threat to teenagers.
- Healthier lunch programs are a failing cause.
- The government should limit the size of sugary drinks.
- Caffeine abuse is a realistic threat to teens and young adults.
- Students involved in activities and sports should be required to take drug tests.
Science
- Scientists should continue to try and extend old age.
- Human limbs being replaced by technology increases quality of life.
- The public should be concerned about reducing their carbon footprints.
- Scientists should continue to explore the Earth’s oceans.
- Civilians and private companies should continue to develop space exploration programs.
A link to a printable list is located here.