Debatable Topics for Public Speaking in Eighth Grade

Keep eighth grade debate topics simple.

Speeches are a component of the middle school curriculum. Students must develop debate skills and be able to pick a persuasive argument and prove or refute it. Teachers can develop a multitude of effective speech topics for debate for eighth grade school students. Consider topics that relate to your school community and the world at large for a debatable public speaking assignment.

Classroom Topics

Make a list of issues that affect the class as a whole. According to Debates in the Middle School Classroom, "using students' natural talent of arguing and challenging authority, we can channel student energy into a positive learning assignment. Debates offer that natural avenue for teachers to facilitate analytical thinking." Have students think of issues they have a strong opinion on, such as the amount of homework, the length of class periods, the degree of student discipline and freedom of scheduling, all of which are items eighth grade students care about. These topics will appeal to the audience, and the students should already have a basis for their opinions. Have the class brainstorm additional related topics to afford more variety. You can pair students, and have them argue the pro and con of each topic.

School Community Topics

Make a list of topics that apply to your own school community. Students can effectively speak and debate about broad topics that affect the entire school. Think of issues that relate to the school as a whole, not just the individual. For example, course requirements, passing school budgets and full-year school are topics that eighth graders could investigate in their own school community. According to Paul Schwartz, "get them to engage the brain in real live speaking. This won't be done by asking them to discourse on academic topics or abstruse issues."

Community Topics

Have students look at their local community as well -- what are the issues that affect the town? Raising taxes, enforcement of curfews and providing skate parks are examples of issues that might affect their community. Although an eighth grader might not be interested in taxes, if he researches the distribution of taxes in his own town, he can learn about and develop an opinion regarding the issue. This is a way to expand the perspective of the students. Students could also reach out to local government officials to gather research.

Technology Topics

Have students explore technology for topic choices. The Internet, social networks and cell phones can be used for debatable topics for eighth graders. Should Internet time be limited at home? Do social networks cause "cyber bullying"? Should cell phones be permitted in school? Technology advances so quickly, and controversy over its use inevitably ensues. There are many issues that stem from technology and impact students' everyday lives.

References

• Paul K. Schwarz: Putting Speech in Middle School Without an Argument
• Learn NC: Debates in the Middle School Classroom