Debate topics and arguments for both sides, with sources
You have a debate next week and no idea which side you'll get. Your todo.is agent suggests motions that suit your level, then builds the case for both sides: three strong arguments each, evidence with source links, the rebuttals to expect, and an outline for an opening speech in your format.
The prompt
- Help me prepare for a debate. [MOTION]. We are [DEBATERS] and the format is [FORMAT] with [SPEECH LENGTH] speeches. If I asked for topics, suggest 10 motions that suit us, with a line on why each makes a good debate, and use the one I pick. For the motion, build both sides: 3 arguments each with a clear claim, reasoning and evidence from reliable sources with links, plus the strongest rebuttal to each argument and how to answer it. Define key terms, and list 5 likely questions or points of information. Write an outline for the opening speech for [MY SIDE]. Give me a Word file and a one-page PDF cheat sheet I can hold during the round.
What to change
- [MOTION]: E.g. "The motion is: This house would ban homework in primary schools". Or write "suggest topics" and add a theme like technology or environment.
- [DEBATERS]: E.g. "Grade 8 students", "a university society", "an ESL class".
- [FORMAT]: E.g. "British Parliamentary", "World Schools", "Lincoln-Douglas", "simple class debate".
- [SPEECH LENGTH]: E.g. "3-minute" or "7-minute".
- [MY SIDE]: "proposition", "opposition", or "both" if you don't know yet.
Example result
- Motion: This house would ban homework in primary schools
- Grade 8 class debate · 3-minute speeches · you are proposition
- Key terms
- • Homework: set tasks to be done outside school hours
- • Primary school: roughly ages 5 to 11
- Proposition arguments
- • 1. Little learning benefit at this age. Claim: research reviews often find weak links between homework and results for young children. Evidence: education research summaries (links in file). Expect: "It builds habits." Answer: habits can be built with reading for pleasure, not set tasks.
- • 2. It widens inequality. Claim: children with quiet space and helpful parents gain more. Evidence: surveys on home learning conditions (links). Expect: "Schools can run homework clubs." Answer: not every school can staff them.
- • 3. Children need time to play and rest. Claim: play and sleep support development. Evidence: child health guidance on play and sleep (links).
- Opposition arguments
- • 1. Practice makes progress. Short practice of reading and times tables helps recall.
- • 2. It keeps parents involved. Homework shows families what children are learning.
- • 3. It prepares for secondary school. A sudden jump at age 11 is harder.
- Likely questions
- • "Would you ban reading at home too?"
- • "Who decides what counts as homework?"
- • "What about children who want extra work?"
- Opening speech outline (proposition, 3 min)
- • Hook (20 s): a 7-year-old's evening, hour by hour
- • Definitions and stance (20 s)
- • Argument 1 (50 s), Argument 2 (50 s), Argument 3 (30 s)
- • Close (10 s): "Let school be for learning and home be for growing."
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and add the motion, or ask for topic ideas with a theme.
- Send it to your agent from the Today screen in todo.is, or on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Read both sides in the Word file and check the sources it linked.
- Ask follow-ups like "give me a stronger rebuttal to opposition point 2" or "turn my outline into a full 3-minute speech".
Tips for a better result
- Prepare both sides even if you know yours. Knowing the other case is how you win rebuttals.
- Use claim, reasoning, evidence for every point; judges reward clear structure.
- Check that each statistic you use comes from the linked source and is recent.
- Ask your agent to make an MP3 of your speech so you can hear the timing before the round.
debate topics and arguments: FAQ
- What are good debate topics for students? Topics with two reasonable sides that students can research: school uniforms, homework, social media age limits, four-day school weeks, or banning single-use plastics.
- How do I structure a debate argument? State the claim, explain why it is true, give evidence, and link it back to the motion. Many coaches teach this as claim, warrant, impact.
- Can the agent find real sources? Yes. It searches the web and links each source so you can check it. Always read the source before quoting it in a round.
- Does it know competition formats? It can follow common formats such as British Parliamentary, World Schools or Lincoln-Douglas. Check your competition's own rules for timings.
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