Debate topics: for or against

A debatable statement is the fastest way to learn to argue. Pick a side, even one you disagree with, and defend it for a minute. It's how debaters and lawyers train.

⚖️ 28 topics · 60 seconds to answer · PREP structure

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How to answer: the PREP structure

  1. Pointyour position in one sentence
  2. Reasonwhy you think so
  3. Examplea real-life case
  4. Point againrestate it, shorter

All 28 topics

  1. Defend this: standardized tests should goSpeak →
  2. Defend this: remote work hurts new gradsSpeak →
  3. Argue against: “Money isn't everything”Speak →
  4. Defend this: no social media for kids under 16Speak →
  5. Argue against: “The customer is always right”Speak →
  6. Defend this: school teaches the wrong thingsSpeak →
  7. Argue against: “You have to grind to succeed”Speak →
  8. Defend this: city centers should be car-freeSpeak →
  9. Argue against: “First impressions are misleading”Speak →
  10. Defend this: AI will make people lazierSpeak →
  11. Argue against: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”Speak →
  12. Defend this: everyone should learn to sellSpeak →
  13. Argue against: “Talent can't be developed”Speak →
  14. Defend this: college should be freeSpeak →
  15. Argue against: “Old friends are better than new ones”Speak →
  16. Defend this: we need a four-day work weekSpeak →
  17. Argue against: “Only people who do nothing never fail”Speak →
  18. Defend this: kids need more freedomSpeak →
  19. Argue against: “Time is money”Speak →
  20. Defend this: advertising does more good than harmSpeak →
  21. Argue against: “Nice guys finish last”Speak →
  22. Defend this: experiences beat buying thingsSpeak →
  23. Argue against: “You have to take risks to win”Speak →
  24. Defend this: parents shouldn't choose their kids' careersSpeak →
  25. Argue against: “A good boss is a strict boss”Speak →
  26. Defend this: city life beats small-town lifeSpeak →
  27. Argue against: “Sleep on it”Speak →
  28. Defend this: learn one foreign language well, not three badlySpeak →

Who this list is for

For anyone learning to argue a case: students, debaters, negotiators. In each topic you defend or refute a claim, even if you disagree with it. It’s the best way to build logic and persuasiveness.

A common mistake

Listing arguments without evidence. “Exams are pointless because they’re stressful, unfair and outdated” is three claims and zero examples. One argument with proof beats three bare ones.

Sample answer

Defend this: remote work hurts new grads

Remote work hurts new grads because they miss out on accidental learning. In the office, a newcomer hears how a senior colleague talks to a client and can ask a question the moment they’re stuck. Remotely, every question is a separate message, and many are too shy to send it. So newcomers grow more slowly. Remote work suits experienced people, but the first year or two are better spent next to the team.

Questions about this list

Why defend a position I disagree with?

It teaches you to see the strengths of other arguments and to anticipate objections.

How many arguments fit into a minute?

One or two, each with an example. You can’t develop more in a minute.

How should I end my answer?

Restate the claim in one sentence so the listener remembers what you argued.

How a session works

  1. Spin the wheelYou get a random topic from this list — like a question you didn't prepare for.
  2. Speak for a minuteLammy turns speech into text. The coach counts fillers, pauses and pace and checks your structure.
  3. Second takeGet one task and say it again. Your second take almost always scores higher.

More topic lists

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Debate topics: for or against

Practice these topics