Debating is a valuable skill for children and teenagers, helping them develop confidence, critical thinking, and strong communication abilities. Whether your child is a beginner or looking to refine their debating skills, this guide will provide essential insights into the art of argument.
Understanding the basics of debating is crucial, as it lays the groundwork for building more advanced skills and effective participation in debates.
Through participating in debating, young people learn to structure their thoughts logically, express ideas clearly, and engage respectfully with opposing viewpoints. These skills not only benefit academic performance but also enhance public speaking skills and overall self-confidence. Moreover, debating encourages teamwork and quick thinking, as students often collaborate to prepare arguments and respond to challenges during debates.
Many schools and organisations offer debating teams and competitions, such as the Premier’s Debating Challenge in NSW, which provide valuable opportunities for students to practise and showcase their abilities. These events often include preparation time before the debate, allowing students to prepare and organise their arguments effectively.
By mastering debating essentials, students gain reasoning skills and learn to pay respect to differing opinions, fostering a culture of respectful dialogue and critical inquiry. This foundation prepares them not only for academic success but also for active participation in civic life and future careers.
What Is Debating and Why Is It Important?
Defining Debating
Debating is a structured activity where participants present and defend an assigned viewpoint on a given topic. It involves clear communication, logical reasoning, and respectful engagement with opposing opinions. Through debating, students learn how to organise their thoughts and articulate their stance effectively. This essential skill not only aids academic success but also fosters critical thinking and confidence. Learn more about how debating works and why it’s important for kids.
Enhancing Critical Thinking & Confidence
Participating in debating helps young people develop analytical thinking and boosts their communication skills. It challenges students to evaluate evidence, construct coherent arguments, and respond to opposing views thoughtfully. This process builds resilience and self-assurance that ranges well beyond simply public speaking.
Additionally, debating enhances general knowledge by encouraging curiosity about the world around them. See how debating and public speaking improve general knowledge.
Difference Between Debating & Public Speaking
While both debating and public speaking require speaking in front of an audience, debating is a more structured exchange of arguments between opposing sides. Public speaking often focuses on delivering a prepared speech or presentation, whereas debating involves real-time argument development and rebuttal. Understanding this distinction helps students prepare appropriately and develop skills tailored to each activity’s demands.
Debating as a Lifelong Skill
Debating equips students with valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom. It fosters critical reasoning, effective communication, and the ability to consider multiple perspectives—qualities essential in higher education, careers, and life generally. Mastering debating helps young people become confident, articulate individuals who can engage thoughtfully in discussions and make informed decisions. Find out how debating prepares students for success beyond school.
How Does a Debate Work in Australia?
Debate Structure
Australian school debates typically follow a format where students are given a topic – sometimes called a motion – anywhere from a few weeks beforehand to just minutes before they need to speak. Teams then use this preparation time (usually called “prep time”) to work together, develop their case, and write their speeches. Most debates consist of two teams, with each speaker delivering a timed speech, alternating between the affirmative (in favour of the topic) and the negative (against it). Speeches follow a clear structure with an introduction, necessary structural elements such as rebuttal and arguments, and a conclusion. At the same time, the debate as a whole progresses through well-established steps, including establishing cases, delivering points and comparing important ideas.
If you’re curious about the key steps involved in a debate, our guide on how debating works and why it’s important for kids to learn breaks down the full process.
Key Roles
In a standard Australian school debate, there are several key roles that keep everything running smoothly. Teams are divided into the affirmative side (arguing in favour of the topic) and the negative side (arguing against it), with each team typically comprising three speakers who each have distinct responsibilities. The first speaker introduces the topic and outlines the team’s case; the second speaker extends the arguments while also rebutting the opposition’s points; and the third speaker summarises the debate and delivers the team’s final stance without introducing new arguments.
Beyond the debaters themselves, a chairperson (or timekeeper) ensures speakers stay within their allocated time and manages the flow of the debate, while an adjudicator listens impartially and determines the winner based on the quality of arguments and delivery.
Our blog on tips and tricks experts use to win every argument explains how understanding these roles can sharpen your debating strategy.
Debate Formats
While Australian schools primarily use a three-on-three format based on the World Schools Debating Championship style with policy and value-based topics, debating styles vary considerably around the world.
British Parliamentary debate, for instance, features four teams of two speakers each – split between Opening and Closing Government and Opposition – and is widely used at university level and in international competitions like the World Universities Debating Championship. In the United States, the Lincoln-Douglas debate structure is a popular one-on-one format focusing on philosophical and ethical values, while Public Forum debates have two teams of two and extended preparation periods where teams prepare both sides of the motion.
Regardless of the format, debaters everywhere are judged on their ability to construct persuasive arguments, respond effectively to opposition points, and communicate clearly under pressure.
To explore different types of debate topics and how to approach them, check out our blog on 100 high-quality debating topics for kids.
How Can You Build a Strong Case?
Understanding the Topic
Before you can build a winning case, you need to fully understand what the topic is asking you to argue. In policy debates (topics starting with “That we should…“), the affirmative team is proposing a change to the world, while the negative team is defending the current situation. In value debates (topics that make a value statement about the world, like “That books are better than movies“), teams are trying to prove whether the statement is comparatively true or false.
Additionally, there are a range of other types of motions – everything from “regret/support” motions to “celebrate” topics – which add additional flavour and challenge to competitions.
Properly defining the key terms in the topic early on helps your team set the boundaries of the debate and makes it clear to the adjudicator exactly what you’re arguing. If you’re unsure about how different types of topics work, our blog on 100 high-quality debating topics for kids explains the differences between policy and empirical debates.
Building General Knowledge
Once you understand the topic, it’s time to gather evidence and organise your arguments effectively. Building up your general knowledge is one of the best ways to improve as a debater – reading news, following current events, and collecting interesting facts across different topic areas gives you a toolkit of ideas to draw upon when you’re in the prep room.
To learn more about building your knowledge base, check out our guide on how to strengthen your general knowledge to win more debates.
Supporting Arguments with Evidence
The strongest arguments are grounded in real-world knowledge, but you don’t need to be an expert on every topic. When preparing your case, think about the stakeholders – the people who are affected by the motion being debated. Breaking down stakeholders into specific subgroups makes your arguments more meaningful; for example, rather than saying a policy would be “good for students,” you might explain how it would specifically benefit students with learning difficulties or those from low-income backgrounds. Using facts as examples within your arguments makes it harder for the opposition to disprove your points. That said, focus on logic and reasoning rather than relying on things like statistics – adjudicators don’t put anywhere near as much emphasis on facts and figures that may simply have been made up.
For more techniques that experts use to strengthen their arguments, check out our tips and tricks for winning every argument.
Practice Exercises
The best way to improve your case-building skills is through regular practice in a supportive environment. Fun activities like impromptu debates, where you’re given a topic on the spot and have to argue for or against it, help develop quick thinking and creativity. Team brainstorming sessions during prep time teach students how to work together to generate arguments and identify the strongest points for their case. Activities that get students to play “devil’s advocate” – imagining what arguments the opposition might raise – also strengthen case development by helping teams anticipate challenges and prepare pre-emptive responses.
Our public speaking workshops and debating programs incorporate a range of interactive exercises and practice debates to help students apply what they’ve learned and receive feedback from experienced coaches. Regular training through structured sessions is essential for building confidence, developing debating skills, and accelerating improvement in persuasive and oral communication abilities.
How do you develop strong arguments?
What Makes an Argument Strong
A strong argument does more than just state an opinion – it explains why that opinion is likely accurate and (where appropriate) what impact that point will have on the world. The best debaters structure their points carefully, moving from a clear claim through logical reasoning to real-world consequences. Using frameworks like PEEL (Point, Explanation, Example, Link) or CMI (Characterisation, Mechanism, Impacts) helps ensure your arguments are complete and persuasive.
The key is making your reasoning explicit: don’t assume the adjudicator will automatically understand why your point matters. Instead, spell out the chain of cause and effect that leads from your argument to the benefits (or harms) you’re claiming.
Stakeholder Analysis
One of the most effective ways to develop strong arguments is to think carefully about the stakeholders – the people who will be affected by the motion. Different stakeholders often have different interests and perspectives, which means the same policy might impact them in different ways.
For instance, in an education debate, students might prioritise free time, teachers might focus on resources and workload, and parents might care about academic outcomes. By breaking these groups down further (considering, say, part-time versus full-time teachers, or students with additional learning needs), you can craft more specific and compelling arguments that resonate with adjudicators. Our blog on education debate topics explores how to analyse stakeholders in depth.
Differentiating Practical and Principled Points
It is important to understand the difference between practical and principled arguments in a debate.
Practical arguments refer to points that involve a measurable, real-world harm or benefit – think something like the impact of a new policy on community safety or economic growth, or the benefits or harms to a particular segment of society. These generally revolve around utilitarian considerations – how can we achieve the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people?
Principled arguments, on the other hand, refer to whether something is fair or unfair due to some particular moral or ethical consideration that we as a society believe is important. This might include things like enshrining freedom of speech or invoking the harm principle to restrict certain freedoms. Principles often become more important the more they protect vulnerable groups, and often act as important checks on practical considerations in debates.
Understanding and balancing both practical and principled points allows debaters to present well-rounded cases that address both tangible outcomes and ethical values, making their arguments more compelling and comprehensive.
Using Logic and Evidence Together
While factual evidence can strengthen your arguments, logic and reasoning are far more important, especially when preparing a school presentation. If you’re unsure where to begin, here are some useful tips on how to come up with the perfect speech topic for a school presentation.
Think about a debate from the perspective of an adjudicator – they’re not allowed to bring in their own expert knowledge when judging a debate, and so can’t rely on specific facts or statistics they might already know (unless they are commonly known facts or statistics). If one team says that 70% of students will be impacted, whilst the other side says 7% of students will be, how can they determine which is correct?
The only avenue available to them is via the logic and reasoning presented by each team. If one team can explain comprehensively why their particular impacts are more likely than those of the other side, this makes it much easier for the adjudicator to side with them. This means that the specific fact or statistic isn’t actually that relevant in the larger scheme of things.
Whilst facts and statistics may be of limited value, real-world examples are actually very important. They help the audience (and the adjudicator) realise where your mechanism has worked before, or what your impacts may look like in real life. Don’t have an example? No problem – you should try using a hypothetical to illustrate your point instead.
When you do have evidence, use it strategically as an example that supports your logical explanation rather than as a replacement for reasoning. The best debaters focus on quality over quantity – it’s better to have a few well-developed arguments with clear impacts than many shallow points that aren’t fully explained. Emotional appeals can be effective too, but they should complement rather than replace logical reasoning.
Building Arguments Under Time Pressure
In competitive debates, you often have limited time to prepare your arguments – often less than an hour. This is where general knowledge becomes invaluable; the more you know about different topic areas, the more ideas you’ll be able to generate quickly during prep time. Practising brainstorming techniques, working effectively as a team, and knowing how to prioritise the strongest arguments are all skills that improve with experience. Our guide on five ways to improve at debating covers practical strategies for making the most of your prep time.
What Makes a Great Rebuttal?
Defining Rebuttal
Rebuttal is the art of responding to and refuting the opposition’s case. It’s one of the most important skills in debating because it shows the adjudicator that you can engage critically with other perspectives and draw effective comparisons between your own case, and that of your opposition.
Effective rebuttal involves actively listening to what the other team says, identifying the weaknesses in their reasoning, and explaining clearly why their arguments don’t hold up or aren’t relevant to the debate. It’s not about attacking the other team personally – instead, it’s about dismantling their ideas and showing why your case is comparatively stronger.
Effective Strategies
There are several approaches to effective rebuttal. You can consider an argument they have raised, and explain why it isn’t relevant to this particular debate. You can attack the logic of an argument by pointing out flaws in the opponent’s reasoning or gaps in their cause-and-effect chain. You can also accept part of their argument but explain why it doesn’t actually support their side – for example, acknowledging that a policy might have some costs but arguing that the benefits still outweigh them. The best debaters anticipate what the opposition will argue, and prepare their own case to be responsive to those ideas.
Often, near the end of prep time, having one team member play “devil’s advocate” and brainstorm likely opposition arguments can help you develop pre-emptive rebuttals that strengthen your case.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes in rebuttal is simply restating your own arguments without actually engaging with what the opposition has said. Debates are all about comparisons, and adjudicators want to see a direct clash – you need to specifically address the other team’s points, explain why they’re wrong and explain why you’re right.
Another mistake is getting too emotional or personal; attacking your opponents rather than their ideas can be upsetting for others, and only makes you look defensive and lose credibility with the adjudicator.
It’s also important not to spend too long on minor points or just the examples raised at the expense of addressing the opposition’s strongest arguments. Speaking time is limited in a debate, and you should focus your rebuttal on the issues that matter most to the outcome of the debate.
Critical Thinking Under Pressure
Developing strong rebuttal skills requires quick thinking and the ability to respond to arguments you haven’t heard before. This can be challenging, especially in the adrenaline-filled environment of a live debate. Smaller class environments give students more opportunities to practice rebuttal in a supportive setting, receive personalised feedback, and build the confidence to think on their feet. Discover how small class sizes help students improve their debating skills.
How Should You Structure a Debate Speech?
First Affirmative
The first affirmative speaker has one of the most important jobs in the debate: setting up the entire discussion.
They begin by introducing the topic (often by providing an emotive introduction to the context the debate is occurring in, often called a “characterisation”) and defining any key terms that need clarification, ensuring everyone in the room understands exactly what’s being debated. In policy debates, this definition often also involves explaining the “model” – the specific plan or change that their team is proposing.
After establishing these foundations, they outline the team split (explaining which arguments each speaker will cover – often called “signposting”) and then deliver their substantive arguments.
Because the first affirmative speaker presents before hearing any opposition, their speech is entirely prepared during prep time, which means they can focus on delivering it confidently and clearly.
A strong first affirmative sets the tone for the entire debate and makes the adjudicator’s job easier by providing a clear framework for the discussion. Learn more about how debates are structured in our guide on how debating works and why it’s important for kids, or further develop your skills in real situations through practice debates.
First Negative
The first negative speaker responds directly to the affirmative’s case while also establishing their own team’s position.
After introducing their characterisation of the debate, the first negative then presents the negative team’s position on the issue – in policy debates, this might involve defending the status quo or proposing an alternative approach called a “countermodel”. Like the first affirmative, they outline their team split and deliver their main arguments.
However, unlike the first affirmative, the first negative also has an opportunity to begin rebutting the affirmative’s points, though given the limited time they have available, some of this burden will fall to later speakers as well. Balancing the need to establish their own case while responding to the affirmative requires careful time management and clear prioritisation.
Second Speakers
The second speakers on both teams carry a dual responsibility: extending their team’s case with additional arguments while also delivering substantial rebuttals against the opposition. They need to actively listen to the previous speeches and respond directly to the other side’s points – both attacking the opposition’s arguments and defending their own first speaker from any challenges raised.
This makes the second speaker role one of the most dynamic in the debate, requiring quick thinking and adaptability. Second speakers should avoid simply repeating what their first speaker said; instead, they should build on those foundations with new material that strengthens the team’s overall case. Effective second speakers also prioritise their rebuttal, focusing on the opposition’s strongest arguments rather than getting bogged down in minor points.
For strategies on developing strong rebuttal skills, check out our tips and tricks for winning every argument.
Third Speakers
The third speaker’s role is fundamentally different from the first two: they are not supposed to introduce any new substantive arguments. Instead, their job is to summarise the debate, deliver final rebuttals, and crystallise why their team has won on the issues that matter most.
A strong third speaker identifies the key clashes in the debate – the main points of disagreement between the two teams – and explains how their side has come out ahead on each one. They weave together all the arguments that have been made across the debate by both teams, showing how they connect and why they lead to their team’s conclusion. Third speakers also address any final attacks on their team’s case that haven’t yet been responded to.
Because much of their speech depends on what happens during the debate, third speakers need excellent note-taking skills and the ability to organise their thoughts quickly under pressure.
Reply Speeches
In some Australian school competitions and international formats like World Schools (but not in others, like the NSW Premier’s Debating Challenge), the debate concludes with reply speeches – shorter summary speeches delivered in reverse order (negative first, then affirmative).
Reply speeches are typically given by either the first or second speaker from each team, not the third speaker. The purpose of the reply is to step back from the detail of individual arguments and offer a “big picture” summary of the debate. Reply speakers should identify the two or three most important issues in the debate and explain, from their team’s perspective, why they have won on those issues.
Unlike other speeches, replies should not introduce new arguments or new rebuttal – they are purely about summarising and framing what has already been said. A compelling reply speech can leave a lasting impression on the adjudicator right before they make their decision, so it’s worth investing time in mastering this skill. Our blog on five ways to improve at debating covers practical strategies for developing all aspects of your debating ability.
What Is Manner and Why Does It Matter in Debating?
Does speaking manner matter?
This is a simple question with a complex answer.
Depending on the competition, adjudicators may be technically required to consider speaking manner, but for most competitions in Australia (and especially those predominantly judged by those on the university debating circuit), matter and method are generally much more important.
So why does manner matter? A few reasons.
Firstly, whilst most adjudicators won’t explicitly take speaking manner into account, they will unconsciously do so. Humans are hard-wired to follow charismatic people, and adjudicators are no different – they want to agree with the team they found more persuasive.
Secondly, having an effective speaking manner will give you more time and brain space in a debate to concentrate on your arguments. If you speak fluently without verbal crutches, you have more time to present your arguments. Similarly, if you’re confident in your speaking manner, and aren’t thinking about it constantly, you’ve got more capacity to think about the arguments you’re actually presenting. This will indirectly make your presentation more effective.
Thirdly, one of the life skills that debating teaches is communication skills, and a huge part of that is an effective speaking manner. By ignoring it completely, you’re missing out on such an important skill that you would be much better off developing.
So with that in mind, let’s power on!
Understanding Physical Manner
Physical manner refers to how you use your body while presenting, and it can have a huge impact on your persuasiveness, regardless of how strong your arguments are.
The key elements include eye contact (actually looking at everyone in the room, not just the wall or one specific person), good posture (feet planted shoulder-width apart, weight evenly distributed, shoulders back, head up), natural hand gestures, and sometimes movement around the space.
When you stand with a strong, confident stance, you signal to the adjudicator that you believe in what you’re saying. On the flip side, poor physical manner – slouching, fidgeting, avoiding eye contact – can make even excellent arguments seem uncertain or unconvincing.
The goal isn’t perfection, but awareness: understanding how you naturally stand and move, and then making small adjustments that project confidence and help you connect with your audience.
The Power of Hand Gestures
Everyone uses their hands when they talk in normal conversation – it would actually look strange if we kept them glued to our sides. The same applies in debating, but with one important difference: in a debate, you don’t have time to think through your gestures, so you need a repertoire of natural movements ready to deploy, such as:
- Counting gestures help when you’re numbering your arguments (“my first point is…”).
- Gesturing towards the audience or the other team (always with an open hand, never pointing or aggressive gestures) draws attention and creates connection.
- Emphasis gestures – like a clenched fist or raised hands – signal that a point is particularly important.
- Weighing gestures, where you hold one idea in your right hand and another in your left, are especially useful when comparing the two sides of a debate.
You can even use gestures to convey emotion – clenched fists for passion, raised shoulders for uncertainty, or a fist pump for excitement. Whatever feels natural will usually work well – the key is that your gestures have purpose and help illustrate your meaning.
Using Notes Effectively
How you handle your notes can significantly impact your physical manner.
For younger debaters using palm cards, the key is to hold them in one hand (usually the hand you don’t write with) between your thumb and forefinger, with the top of the card at chin level so you can easily look above it and maintain eye contact. When changing cards, use your other hand to move the top card to the back of the pile.
For older debaters using paper at a table, lay your pages out so you can see everything – some people group sections together (introduction, rebuttal, first argument, second argument), while others prefer a pile system like palm cards. Write large enough that you don’t need to lean forward to read, which helps you maintain a strong stance and keep your head up. The table is there to hold your paper, nothing more – the only times you should lean forward are to move your paper or, occasionally, to emphasise a point.
If you’re using a lectern, remember that while it holds your papers higher, it can also block connection with the adjudicator and presents a temptation to lean – resist it!
Mastering Verbal Manner
Verbal manner is about how you use your voice, and it’s just as important as what you do with your body. The main elements are tone (varied throughout your speech, using emotion appropriately), volume (loud enough for everyone to hear, but varied for effect), speed (not too fast or too slow, with variation to maintain interest), and pauses (used frequently at the right moments for emphasis).
One of the biggest traps for nervous speakers is verbal crutches – filler words like “um,” “like,” or “you know” – which can make you sound uncertain, distract from your content and use up valuable speaking time. Remember: silence is golden. A well-timed pause is far more powerful than a string of filler words, giving your audience time to absorb what you’ve said and signalling that something important is coming next.
Practising these elements separately, then bringing them together, helps build the kind of varied and engaging delivery that keeps adjudicators listening. If you are interested in helping others develop these skills, consider working with Speaking Schools Australasia.
Pitch, Emotion and Emphasis
Your pitch – or tone of voice – can be separated into two key ideas: the emotion in your voice and the emphasis you place on words.
The emotion element is about conveying how you feel about what you’re saying: passion, concern, excitement, or determination. We all experience these emotions naturally, and the skill is in channelling them authentically during your speech, such as in in-school public speaking programs.
Emphasis is about which words you stress in a sentence, which changes its meaning entirely. Consider the sentence “I didn’t steal the cookie from the cookie jar” – emphasising “I” suggests someone else did it; emphasising “didn’t” insists on your innocence; emphasising “steal” implies you borrowed rather than stole; emphasising “the cookie” suggests you took something else.
Being deliberate about which words you emphasise helps ensure your audience takes away exactly the meaning you intend.
Using Manner Strategically
Beyond simply presenting confidently, experienced debaters use manner strategically to gain an advantage.
One powerful technique is creating contrast with the speaker before you.
If the previous speaker seemed angry or flustered, presenting yourself as calm and reasonable can undermine their position. If they seemed dull or methodical, adding passion to your speech makes it sound like you genuinely care about the issue. If they spoke too quickly, taking deliberate pauses ensures the adjudicator follows your key ideas closely.
You should also vary your manner throughout your own speech depending on what you’re presenting. Logical, analytical sections work best delivered in a calm, methodical way, while illustrative sections – explaining problems, impacts, or real-world examples – benefit from emotion and passion.
The way you appear to feel about what you’re saying can sometimes leave a more lasting impact than the words themselves, so use this to your advantage. For more on developing a persuasive delivery style, explore our tips for giving an incredible speech.
What Are Common Debate Topics and How Should You Approach Them?
Understanding Topic Areas
Debate topics are typically grouped into broad topic areas, which helps ensure students debate a variety of subjects over the course of a competition. The most common topic areas you’ll encounter include Education, Environment, Politics, Law and Order, International Relations, Social Issues, Feminism, Economics, Sport, and various others.
Understanding these categories is incredibly useful because it allows you to build up your general knowledge systematically – when you come across an interesting fact related to any of these areas, you can file it away mentally for future debates. Many experienced debaters keep a “matter file” where they record useful information under each topic area heading, creating a personal arsenal of knowledge they can draw upon during prep time.
For a comprehensive list of topics organised by category, explore our 100 high-quality debating topics for kids.
Policy vs Value Debates
One of the first things to determine when you receive a topic is whether it’s a policy debate or a value debate, as this fundamentally changes how you approach it.
As noted above, policy debates ask you to change the world in some way – they’re typically phrased as “That we should…” or “This house would…” and require the affirmative team to propose a specific plan (called a “model”) for implementing the change. The debate then focuses on whether this implementation would make the world a better place.
Value debates (also called empirical or non-policy debates), on the other hand, ask you to make a judgment about something that already exists – topics like “books are better than movies” or “celebrities are poor role models.” In value debates, you’re not proposing a change but rather proving that a statement is comparatively true or false.
It’s also worth remembering that there are other topic types – such as “Support” motions, which ask the affirmative whether they support a world where a change has been made (but cut out the model for achieving it), or “Regret” motions, where the teams discuss whether something that happened in the past was a good or a bad thing. These will have their own impacts on how one approaches the debate.
Always do a quick check when you receive your topic to identify which type you’re dealing with, as this will shape your entire approach.
Education Debates
Education is often students’ and chief adjudicators’ favourite topic area because they have the most direct experience with it – being students themselves, they already know a lot about how schools work!
Education debates can cover everything from school curriculum, teachers’ pay, uniforms, homework and assignments through to broader questions about how the education system is organised at the governmental level.
When approaching education topics, it helps to break them down into sub-categories such as school rules and policies, curriculum and assessment, teacher and staffing issues, student welfare, and access to education (including university versus trade schools).
The arts unit plays a significant role in supporting debating and creative teaching within schools, contributing to educational programs that enhance arts education for both teachers and students.
The main stakeholders in education debates are typically students, teachers, and parents – but remember that these groups aren’t homogeneous. Breaking down stakeholders further (for example, distinguishing between students with learning difficulties and high-achieving students, or between full-time and part-time teachers) makes your arguments more specific and persuasive.
Learn more strategies in our dedicated guide to education debate topics.
Social Issues
Topics related to social issues can be among the most nuanced to debate, as they often involve deeply held values and require careful consideration of different perspectives.
For example, in feminism debates, it’s important to understand the distinction between formal equality (where the same rules apply to everyone) and substantive equity (where systems are designed to address past discrimination and accommodate different needs). You’ll also encounter debates about whether the feminist movement should be “broad” (inclusive of many issues and perspectives) or “narrow” (focused on specific core objectives).
Social issues more broadly might include topics about healthcare, welfare, housing, or criminal justice. The key to success in these debates is making nuanced arguments that acknowledge complexity rather than oversimplifying – consider how policies affect different subgroups within stakeholder categories, and engage thoughtfully with the underlying values at stake.
For a deeper dive into handling complex topics, see our guide on mastering feminism debates.
International Relations
International relations topics deal with how countries interact with each other – covering areas like foreign aid, immigration, trade, diplomacy, and international organisations. You might debate whether foreign aid should be tied to human rights targets, whether countries should accept climate refugees, or whether there should be a permanent host city for the Olympics.
These debates often require you to weigh national interests against global cooperation and to consider how policies affect both domestic populations and people in other countries.
Law & Order
Law and order topics, meanwhile, focus on the justice system, crime, policing, and rights. Topics could include whether employers should access criminal records, how the justice system should treat young offenders, or what the appropriate balance is between security and civil liberties.
Understanding the goals of the legal system – deterrence, rehabilitation, public safety, and justice – helps you construct more sophisticated arguments.
Building Your Knowledge Base
The more you know about these topic areas, the more ideas you’ll be able to generate during prep time.
The key to building your general knowledge is engaging with news and current affairs from the perspective of a debater. When you read or watch the news, ask yourself: “How might this be useful in a future debate? What’s the most interesting part of this story? If I could change something about this issue, what would I do?“
Many adjudicators get their topic ideas directly from current events – for instance, if the Federal Budget has just been announced with significant changes to disability funding, you might see a debate about NDIS policy. By staying informed about what’s happening in each topic area, you’ll be better prepared for whatever topic comes your way.
Remember, it’s not strictly necessary to have encyclopaedic knowledge to win a debate – logic and reasoning matter more – but having relevant facts and examples at your fingertips makes it much harder for the opposition to refute your arguments.
Discover strategies for systematically building your knowledge in our guide on how to strengthen your general knowledge to win more debates.
For students seeking to deepen their understanding, detailed information is sometimes also available through downloadable guides or official resources that provide comprehensive explanations of debating topics.
How Can You Get Involved in Your School’s Debating Team?
Finding Out What’s Available at Your School
Getting involved in debating at school is a scary but exciting step toward becoming a debater – and the benefits are well worth it, from boosting your confidence and critical thinking skills to improving your public speaking and teamwork abilities.
The first thing to do is find out what debating opportunities exist at your school. Some schools have very well-established debating programs with multiple teams competing in interschool competitions throughout the year. Other schools may only run debating at certain times, perhaps as part of an enrichment program or during a specific term. And some schools may not have a formal debating program at all – but that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved! A lot of schools can participate in competitions as long as there are interested students, so we recommend talking to your teachers and letting them know you’re keen to give debating a try.
For more detailed advice, check out our full guide on how to get involved in your school’s debating team.
Preparing for Debating Trials
If your school is a big debating school, your number one priority may be securing a spot on the team. While there are usually many students interested in joining, often there are only four or five spaces available per team.
If you’re keen to try out, the first thing you should do is ask about when your school holds their debating trials. The second step is to prepare. Just like people practice soccer or netball at home before team selection, you can do the same for debating.
Luckily, debating isn’t too hard to practice by yourself if you know the right tips. You can access free online resources like the Speaking Schools Australasia YouTube channel, which features the “Conquering Debating” and “Debater Explainer” video series, where expert coaches break down important debating concepts.
You can also build your skills through beginner-level debating programs, which give you a head start on your peers by introducing you to the fundamentals of teamwork, case development, argument structure and rebuttal.
Making the Most of Trial Day
Trials can seem intimidating, but our top tip for students who are nervous is simple: don’t worry too much and just give it a go! Participating in the trials is itself a great way to gain experience in debating, even if you don’t end up making the team.
Show up on time and try to feel as confident as possible – take a nice, deep, clarifying breath and trust that the people in the room are there to listen to you. Remember that everyone in the room was once a beginner too, and the teachers running trials are looking for potential, not perfection. If you’ve done some preparation beforehand, whether through online resources, debating courses, or practice at home, you’ll feel much more comfortable when it’s your turn to speak.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Even if you don’t make the debating team on your first try, there are plenty of other ways to stay involved and keep developing your skills. Many schools welcome students as audience members, chairpersons, or timekeepers at debates – these roles give you valuable exposure to how debates work and help you learn by watching others. You can also look for debating opportunities outside of school, such as participating in structured competitions run by organisations like the Queensland Debating Union (QDU) or Debating SA, which offer students the chance to compete and develop their skills beyond the classroom.
Additionally, SSA programs like Debating Wallabies (for Years 3-4), Debating Hummingbirds, Debating Hawks, Debating Parrots (for Years 5-7), and Debating Pandas, Debating Club and Practice Debates (for High School students) offer students the chance to practice regularly and receive feedback from experienced coaches.
Some schools may only participate in one or two debates per term, which can be too slow a pace to see significant improvement. Supplementing with external programs helps you get more practice under your belt and builds the skills you need to make the team next time.
Building Your Skills for Next Time
If you’re determined to make the debating team, the best thing you can do is keep practising and learning. Watch debates whenever you can – whether at your school, online, or at competitions – and pay attention to what makes the best speakers effective. Build up your general knowledge by following current events and reading widely, since strong debaters can draw on a broad understanding of the world when constructing their arguments. Ask for feedback from teachers, coaches, or adjudicators after every debate you participate in, and actively work on the areas they identify.
Most importantly, don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Many successful debaters didn’t make the team on their first attempt, but their persistence and dedication to improvement eventually paid off. The skills you develop through debating – critical thinking, clear communication, teamwork, and the ability to think on your feet – will serve you well throughout your life, regardless of whether you end up competing at school or not.
Explore our five ways to improve at debating for more strategies to take your skills to the next level.
Services We Offer to Help Your Child Become a Confident Debater
Every young debater is different, which is why we’ve designed programs that meet students wherever they are in their journey.
Getting Started
For students who are new to debating, our beginner classes offer a friendly introduction to the fundamentals. We cover all the essentials – how to structure a case, develop arguments, and respond to the other side – all in small class environments where every student gets a chance to speak and receive personalised feedback from experienced coaches.
Building Skills
As students grow more confident, our intermediate and advanced courses tackle the trickier aspects of debating: developing a cohesive team strategy, meeting your burdens as a speaker, and engaging effectively with sophisticated opposition arguments. These programs include regular practice debates so students can apply what they’re learning in a supportive setting.
Personalised Support
We also offer private coaching for students who want tailored, one-on-one sessions. This might be ideal if your child is preparing for school team trials, working on a specific aspect of their speaking, or simply wants focused attention to build their confidence.
Programs for Schools
For schools looking to strengthen their debating offerings, we provide customised in-school workshops that can be adapted for students of all ages and experience levels. Our team has run everything from introductory seminars to year-long coaching programs, and we’re always happy to work with teachers to design something that fits.
Holiday Intensives
Our holiday programs are perfect for students who want to fast-track their skills over a few focused days – great preparation before the school debating season kicks off!
What Are the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Debating?
“Will my child actually enjoy it?”
This is probably the question we hear most often – and understandably so! Standing up and arguing in front of others sounds intimidating. But the reality is that the vast majority of students who try debating find it far more fun than they expected. Our surveys consistently show that kids love the challenge, the teamwork, and the buzz of learning skills they can actually use in real life. See how students really feel about debating.
“What’s the point beyond school?”
The skills students pick up through debating – thinking critically, communicating clearly, staying calm under pressure, working in a team – are exactly what employers look for. Debating teaches kids to see issues from different angles, build logical arguments on the spot, and explain complex ideas in ways that make sense to others. These are capabilities that pay off in job interviews, university tutorials, workplace presentations, and everyday conversations long after school is finished. Discover how debating builds essential skills for life.
“How can I support my child at home?”
You don’t need to be a debating expert! The most helpful things you can do are pretty simple: encourage your child to engage with news and current events, have conversations about interesting topics over dinner, and create a home where it’s okay to express opinions and have them respectfully challenged. Showing genuine interest in what they’re learning – and celebrating their efforts regardless of whether they win or lose – goes a long way. Learn more about how to get your child involved in school debating.
Ready to Help Your Child Excel in Debating?
Debating builds confidence, sharpens thinking, and develops communication skills that will serve your child well throughout their life – at school, at university, in their career, and beyond.
Whether your child is a complete beginner curious to try something new, or an experienced debater looking to level up, we’d love to help them reach their potential in a supportive and welcoming environment.
