OL1527
Debating
This task assesses a formal debate in which the affirmative and negative sides of a
proposition are argued by opposing speakers.
This resource is for debating in teams of three.
Your teacher will provide you with instructions for your team.
Topics are provided below for debate.
That …
cartoons are a good influence on children’s our news media leads rather than reflects
behavior.
public opinion.
the keeping of pets in private homes
should be made illegal.
violence is a legitimate method of attaining
political ends.
New Zealand is the best country in the
world.
tradition is more of a hindrance than a help
in our society.
the world’s natural resources are being
used inefficiently.
contemporary music is socially harmful.
butter is better.
the world’s natural resources are being
exploited inefficiently.
tourists are a menace (nuisance).
writers have done more for people than
scientists.
it would be better to be Einstein than
Superman.
Captain Cook should have turned back.
all we need is love.
industrial hemp should be grown in New
Zealand for commercial purposes.
we need heroes.
New Zealand should join with Australia
and have a common monetary unit.
wind is the power of the future.
a life sentence should mean imprisonment
for life.
New Zealand needs a new flag.
harsher punishments should be introduced
to reduce the re-offending rate
netball should be our national sport.
all New Zealanders should be required to
carry ID papers on them at all times.
the best things in life cost a lot.
New Zealand police should be armed to
protect the public.
animals are more civilized than people.
the Government should invest more
money to produce top athletes.
we are too kind to our criminals.
we have an unhealthy obsession with
sports.
OL1527
small is beautiful.
we are too mean to be green.
humans are selfish beings.
cloning is a good idea.
fairy stories are frightening.
this should be the reign of Elizabeth the
last.
New Zealand is the best place in the world
to live.
drunk drivers who kill should be charged
with murder.
zoos should be abolished.
marriage is out-dated.
we should keep out of others’ wars.
Shakespeare is better than Disney.
outer space should be left to itself.
the information highway leads to hell.
TV is a tyrant.
we should pay our debts before we pay the
poor.
New Zealand should be renamed
Aotearoa.
there should be a separate Maori state.
casinos should be banned.
penguins should have the right of way.
rugby should be an amateur game.
it is better to live in the country.
humankind will be the next dinosaur.
marijuana use should be legalised.
crime pays.
the hand that rocks the cradle rules the
world.
fashion is a tyrant.
the ownership of private motor vehicles
should be restricted.
women in history were braver than men.
being vegetarian is the way to go.
beauty is more useful than brains.
war is a natural human activity.
rules are made to be broken.
women have the answers to the world’s
problems.
city life is better.
the real Kiwi bloke is a dying breed.
knowledge is more useful than gold.
tradition is the enemy of progress.