As a student, one topic which I remember always making the rounds of the debating circuit was, does violence in television and movies influence the way children behave? By the end of my school and college years, I was sure I had heard every argument that could have been made about the topic. Yes, violence has permeated the media but it is high time we stop making it the staple fodder for all debate contests. I am sure that there is no lack of good topics that organizers and teachers can come up with. And if there is, then here are some options that may be a welcome break from citing Mark Anthony's oft quoted, Friends, Romans, Countrymen ... speech. A good debate topic does not necessarily need to be a political topic. It can be funny, informative, contemplative, social, economical - the categories are endless. Here are some tips, from us at Buzzle, that will go a long way in helping you come up with topics that are sure to engage.

• Topics need to be chosen keeping in mind the maturity level and understanding that participants are expected to have.
• Always make a shortlist of topics that will seem interesting to the target audience. Ask for suggestions and if possible, conduct a poll on which topic would be preferred by the students. This way you will sustain the interest of the audience.
• When you finalize a debate topic ensure that it has a focus area. With some topics the area to cover can be too wide making it an unsuitable topic for a debate with time restrictions.
• Try to avoid topics that are too controversial, at least for debate competitions at school levels. At a younger age it may not be possible for kids to understand the gravity and seriousness of certain issues and while they need the exposure, they also need proper understanding of the topic.

The debate topics given below have been divided into three categories - topics for middle school students, high school students, and college students. Topics for Middle School Students The topics for middle school students that have been listed below are such that the students will have some knowledge and opinion about them. There are a few political topics but most topics are those that affect their daily life.

• Superman, Spiderman, Batman - superheroes or misleading idols?
• Should homework be banned?
• Do video games really cause bad behavior in children?
• The 51st state in the US should be Washington D.C.
• Are there aliens?
• Bottled water: more harmful than good.
• Single sex education system is better than a co-ed system.
• Mobile phones in school - should we ban them?
• Reading - is it the new style trend?
• Does detention actually serve a purpose?
• Are vampires real?
• Junk food should be banned from public schools.
• Thanks to social networking, there is no face-to-face interaction.
• Is there life after death?
• Are mermaids real?
• Are dolls affecting the mental image we create for our appearance?

Topics for High School Students Persuasive debate topics that will interest a high school student can be a little difficult to decide. But the topics listed below may be good idea generators.

• Which came first? Chicken or egg?
• Is animal testing humane?
• Euthanasia: should the right to die be granted?
• Paparazzi livelihood vs. privacy of celebrities: what is important?
• Pros and cons of the No Child Left Behind act.
• Should marijuana be legalized for medicinal purposes?
• Global warming is a figment of our imagination.
• Should the death penalty be repealed?
• Is the law easier on celebrities?
• Should parental consent be made mandatory for underage pregnancy abortion?
• Are school uniforms a good or a bad idea?
• Recycling should be compulsory.
• God: myth or reality?
• Media censorship - a necessary change?
• Should the legal age allowing consumption of alcohol be raised?
• Should abortion be banned?

Topics for College Students College students are young adults who have informed opinions and the wherewithal to express themselves in a concise and intelligent manner. Given below are a few informative speech topics for college students.

• Evolution or creation: how did human beings come about?
• Will development of nuclear weapons fuel a third world war?
• Is quarter life crisis the new midlife crisis?
• The American military involvement in Iraq has done more good than harm.
• Is co-habitation the replacement for marriage?
• Human cloning should be allowed.
• Will there be another Holocaust?
• Do newborn babies remembers their past life?
• The pros and cons of media consolidation
• Should same-sex partners have the same rights as heterosexuals?
• Are we overworking ourselves?
• Should the United States eliminate its own weapons of mass destruction?
• Is the American dream overrated?
• Is it justified to give a dictator a tit-for-tat treatment?
• The Roman Catholic Church policy forbidding the use of contraception should be changed.
• Should we encourage the belief that kids have in Santa Claus?

A debate is, and always should be a battle of wits. It should make the participants and the audience think. And for that to happen, it is important that the topics go beyond the obvious.