If it’s all over the news, most debate audience members will be aware of the topic and have opinions about it, making it easy to engage them. “Barack Obama has been an ineffective president” is a good example, particularly if you choose it around presidential election time. Because it’s a broad topic that can cover Obama’s performance in relation to the economy, conflicts overseas and health care reform, you and your debate opponent will have plenty of back and forth.
When a subject’s been debated for so long that’s it part of the consciousness of two or more generations, it’s bound to resonate with your audience. “Roe v. Wade should be overturned” is a perfect example; the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that the right to privacy grants women abortion rights remains controversial 38 years later. Issues arising from the decision still make headlines, are discussed on television talk shows and influence elections.
You can have fun and make a point in a persuasive debate; here, knowing your audience is key. If you’re in a student debate, your audience will be other students, many with the same issues and concerns as yours. Getting into the “right” college looms large for a high-schooler. “Should I pay someone to take the SAT for me?” is amusing on the surface but a good springboard for discussing the serious issues of cheating among students and the pressure they feel to succeed.
Past world events famous enough to be taught in school lend themselves to persuasive debates. World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor are required study at various points in students’ lives. “The United States knew in advance that the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor” is an emotional and disturbing topic and not one focused on in many curricula, although much has been written about it. A less typical approach to a well-known subject makes for a stimulating debate.