For a successful debate, students must have well-constructed topics. The Middle School Public Debate Program recommends that topics should follow the following guidelines:

1. Topics should be simple, declarative sentences.
2. Topics should address serious issues of local, national, or international concern.
3. Topics should be challenging.
4. Topics should be age appropriate.
5. Topics should, where possible, intersect meaningfully with the school curriculum.
6. Topics should be chosen by and approved by middle school teachers.

In this section of the website, you will find a brief guide to topic writing, lists of hundreds of topics that have been used in class and contest debating, and resources to support debating on those topics in class and competition. If you have additional topics to suggest, or resources you would like to share with other teachers who use this site, please feel free to contact us directly.