Debating Topics

Motion Hints

• Word the motion so that you have at least a quarter of the class vehemently against the rest of the class.
• Word the motion carefully. Ensure everyone understands it.
• Word the motion so that it reflects something recently in the news.
• Do not word the motion in the negative. " B.I.R.T. we do not save the whales" may sound clever, but, confuses who is on what side.
• Seldom use absolutes such as " always" or "never" unless they make a one-sided issue more debatable. "B.I.R.T In every circumstance we should save whales." improves this motion.
• Debate motions where students can find worthwhile evidence for and against the issue.
• Word the motion so that they debate what you want them to learn. "B.I.R.T. that the state has the right to conscript " is fine for world history, but, "B.I.R.T. Canada conscript citizens, 1939-45" puts the focus on W.W.2.
• Word the motion as sharply, clearly and as simply as you can. George Orwell's dictum that short words are better then long words holds for debates. However, motions are ideal for vocabulary purposes, so use motions to teach words such as "euthanasia" appropriate for the age group.
• Word the motion so that the debate is a genuine moral dilemma over which sensible, caring and intelligent individuals may differ. Make it a conflict of worthwhile principles.
• Introduce fun topics at appropriate times (The Easter Bunny lives. Schools are like prisons. Santa is a bad role model.) as well as serious debates. These are useful if you finish something early or want to reward a class.

You can consult the debates prepared by Secondary students at Centennial Regional High School: sample debate list.