50 Topics For Debate Shared by Mysheo

50 Debate
Prompts for Kids

by Patrick
Patrick Daley and Michael
Michael S. Dahli
Dahlie
e
S C H O L A S T I C
PROFESSIONALBOOKS
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50 Debate Prompts
Prompts f or Kids © Daley
Daley & Dahlie, Scholastic Teaching Reso urces
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Interior design by Daryl Hair
ISBN 0-439-05179
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-7
Copyright © 2001 by Patrick Daley and Michael

Michael S. Dahlie. All rights reserved.
reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
50 Debate Prompts
Table of Contents
Ready,, Read,
Ready Read, Debate!
Debate! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Using
Using This
This Book
Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Using
Using Debat
Debates
es to
to Build
Build Voca
Vocabul
bulary
ary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Graphic
Graphic Organiz
Organizers
ers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Debate Prompts
1. Should animals be used to test new products? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2. Should cell phones and beepers be allowed in class? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3. In disasters like the sinking of the Titanic,
who should be saved first? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4. Should beaches have rules? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5. Should people be allowed to go barefoot anywhere they want? . . . . . . 19
6. Should gun makers pay the cost of gun violence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
7. Should people lose their jobs if it helps the environment? . . . . . . . . . . 21
8. Should children be allowed to enter beauty pageants? . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
9. Should student athletes have to get good grades to play sports? . . . . . . 23
10. Should coats made with dog fur be against the law? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
11. Should boxing be banned? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
12. Do police belong in schools? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13. Should hunting be banned as a sport? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
14. Should students get paid for attending school? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
15. If you do the crime, shoul
should parents do the time? . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
d your parents
16. Should teen criminals be locked up in adult prisons? . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
17. Should you change the way you dress because
of what other people might think? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
18. Should businesses be forced to deliver to every neighborhood? . . . . . . 32
19. Should the government rate music? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
20. Are teen juries a good idea? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
21. Is space exploration worth the money we spend on it? . . . . . . . . . . . 35
50 Debate Prompts
Table of Contents (continued)
22. If you find

find $100, yours to keep? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
$100, is it yours
23. Some malls in America have banned teens. Is this fair? . . . . . . . . . . . 37
24. If you see someone
someone cheating
cheating on a test, should you tell? . . . . . . . . . . . 38
should
25. Are teen curfews a good thing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
26. Is year-round school a good idea? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
27. Should skateboarding be banned in public places? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
28. Should Olympic athletes be tested for drugs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
29. Should sports teams drop Native American names? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
30. Should celebrities be responsible for the products they endorse? . . . . . . 44
31. Should schools have dress codes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
32. Should celebrities speak out on political issues? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
33. Should kids have to address teachers as Ma’am and Sir? . . . . . . . . . . 47
34. Should laws be stricter for teenage drivers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
35. Should the paparazzi be banned? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
36. Do teens have too much to do? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
37. If you find historical treasure, does it belong to you? . . . . . . . . . . . 51
find a historical
38. Should surveillance cameras be used in schools? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
39. Should moshing be allowed at concerts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
40. Should school newspapers be censored? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
41. Should paddling be used to punish students? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
42. Would you give up certain luxuries to save the environment? . . . . . . . 56
43. Should students have to do volunteer work to graduate? . . . . . . . . . . 57
44. Should schools named for slave owners be renamed? . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
45. Should doctors transplant
transplant pigs’ organs into human bodies? . . . . . . . . 59
46. Should male and female training in the military be separate? . . . . . . . 60
47. Should girls have their own schools? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
48. Should kids learn riflery in schools? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
49. Should the United States be the world’s police force? . . . . . . . . . . . 63
50. Should teens have their own credit cards? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
50 Debate Prompts
Ready, Read, Debate!
Debating teaches students how to investigate new ideas and develop critical
thinking skills, and opens their minds to different viewpoints.
viewpoints.
Using Debates in the Classroom

Once considered the stuff
stuff of elite high schools, debates are finding their way into class-
class-
rooms at all grade levels. And for good reason. The debating process teaches students
how to inv
investigate
estigate new ideas, helps them develop critical thinking skills, and opens their
minds to different viewpoints.
Basically,, when working with students, there are fiv
Basically fivee steps to the debating process
that you will want to reinforce and model. Those steps are as follows:
Gather Gather information
Explore Explore all sides of an issue
Form Form an initial opinion
Defend Defend the position in a debate
Refine Refine opinion through knowledge gained in the debate
Not an Argument
Unfortunately, many of us confuse debating
Unfortunately, debating with arguing. And no wonder! Our most
public displays of debate—political debates—are rarely an exchange of ideas for the
purpose of refining one’s
one’s thinking. Ideally,
Ideally, debating is an open-minded,
open-minded, intelligent way
to explore a world filled with diverse viewpoints.
In the classroom, you can best instruct
instruct about this type
type of debate by regularly modeling
it, making sure to demonstrate your willingness to change your opinions
opinions as you gather
new information. For a simple
simple debate exercise, you can complete the five-step
five-step process in
minutes. A more elaborate or complex
complex debate may extend for weeks.
50 Debate Prompts
Daley & Dahlie, Scholastic Teaching Reso urces 5
The Reading Connection
Of course in this book you will find many debates which will spark new ideas and chal-
lenge existing viewpoints.
viewpoints. But before you even even consult the pages
pages in this book, you can
help students better prepare for debating just by turning to the books they are reading . . .
or have read long ago.
As a warm-up, bring out thethe children’s
children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings. (Yes,
(Yes, ev
even
en your
sophisticated middle-schoolers will see the debating value of this picture book when you
are finished.) Read the book aloud to students to refresh their memory of the tale. Then
introduce the debate question,
question, “Should Mike havehave stopped the traffic to let the ducklings
cross the street?”
Instead of having
having students immediately
immediately vote yes or no, focus on exploring
exploring the differ-
ent sides of this question.
question. (NOTE: It is extremely important
important for you to show
show that you are
always more interested in the process of forming an opinion than you are in the opinion
itself.) Why might someone say that Mike was right? Why might others think he was
wrong? Have students revisit the story to seek further information and clarification. Were
there stop signs or traffic lights on the street? How fast were the cars going? Were there,
in fact, many cars on the street?
street?
Point out to students that they can look to most of the books they are reading indepen-
dently for good debate questions.
questions. And by the middle grades, students are capable of tak-
ing each step to a deeper level.
Use as an example the book Spirit Quest by Susan Susan Sharpe.
Sharpe. In this
this book,
book, a young
young
Native American boy discovers more about his rich ancestry. Within the book there
are tons of debatable issues. But a real-world debate topic (which is found later in this
book) is “Should sports teams drop Native American names?” This debate takes on a
whole new significance when viewed through the eyes of William—the protagonist in
Spirit Quest .
Just Imagine
Critical
Critical thinking,
thinking, thoughtful
thoughtful discuss
discussion,
ion, and informed
informed,, flexible
flexible opinions
opinions.. What
What a
great process to teach students. What a great literacy skill to give our future
community leaders!
6
50 Debate Prompts
Using This Book
There are many
many ways that you can use the debates in this book. Students can
read them independently,
independently, or you can use them for a whole-class discussion or as
shared reading.
reading. Here are
are a few suggestions:
Whole-Class Discussion
You may simply pass out a debate and ask students to read the debate issue—both
sides—and then discuss in class. However
However,, for a richer experience you may want to
preview the debate topic by just reading the title aloud. Then students can fill out the
first part of the Before and After graphic organizer found on page 13. This will allow
students to see how their opinion might change as they gather more information.
Shared Reading
Remember that you, the teacher,
Remember teacher, are the most valuab
valuable
le resource
resource for modeling
modeling how one
goes about forming an opinion.
opinion. To
To best do this, pass out a copy of a debate to each
student.
student. As you read the
the debate to the students,
students, use several
several “think alouds”
alouds” to show how
how
your opinion
opinion is forming.
forming. Interjecting
Interjecting comments
comments such as “Oh, I never thought
thought of that.”
that.” Or
“That’s something
something I never thought of before.”
before.” This shows that you are an active,
engaged reader.
Independent and/or Paired Reading

There are times when you may want your students to work on the debates independent-
ly. This option allows students to practice their opinion-forming skills and strategies
from time to time. In paired readings students can work together (in pairs) to help each
other through the opinion-forming process. In either case, you may wish to have them
express their points of view in one or more of the following ways:
• Discussion: Tell students to be prepared to share their opinion about the topic.
• Writing: Debates naturally act as prompts for students to craft a written point of
of view.
view.
Encourage students to clearly identify the reasons that have helped them form their
own opinion.
• Consider Other Viewpoints:
Viewpoints: A higher-order thinking response occurs when students
state the opinion of someone else—not their own. For
For example, encourage students to
think about what the opinion of the concert organizer might be regarding
regarding moshing, or
what the emergency room doctor’s opinion might be regarding the mandatory skate-
board helmet laws.
• Finding More
More Information: Some debates will naturally
naturally lend themselves to further
research. Assign some debate topics with this task in mind.
7
50 Debate Prompts
Using Debates to Build Vocabulary
Use this grid to pre-teach difficult words or to follow up on difficult words after
the debate has been discussed in class.You may also want to assign these words in
conjunction with the Learning New Words graphic organizer found on page 12.
Debate Vocabulary
Prompt Words Definition
1. Should animals be advocat

adv atee (n
(n.) someone whwho st
strongly su
sup
pports a cau
ausse
used to test new ethical believing in and sticking to a va
value sy
system of
of right and wrong
products? vaccine a me
medicine that protects pe
people from disease
2. Should cell phones ban to not allow something
and beepers be comm
commun unic
icat
atee to ex
expr
pres
esss one’
one’ss tho
thoug
ught
htss thro
throu
ugh talk
talkin
ing
g, wr
writ
itiing
ng,, et
etc.
c.
allowed in class? dev
devic
icee (n
(n.) a mac
machi
hinne or
or pie
piece
ce of eq
equi
uippme
ment
nt des
esig
ign
ned fo
forr a sp
spececif
ific
ic purp
rpo
ose
3. In disasters like indes
indestr
tru
uct
ctib
ible
le sometthi
some hin
ng th
that
at ca
can
nno
nott be des
estr
tro
oyed
the sinking of the survive to live through a dangerous event
Titanic, who sho
should
uld voyage a long journey, typically over a sea or ocean
be saved first?
4. Should beaches dominate to control by force

have rules? injure to hurt oneself or another
ruin to destroy or spoil
5. Should people be promote to spread the word; to encourage others to join in
allowed to go sole the underside of the foot
barefoot anywhere violate to break or disregard
they want?
6. Should gun makers misuse to use incorrectly
pay the cost of gun su e to use legal means to take action against another person or company
violence? violence acts that are physically harmful
7. Should people lose consequence the result of an action
their jobs if it helps environment the la
land, air, and wa
water wi
within a gi
given ar
area
the environ
environment?
ment? extinct when all of a particular type of animal or plant dies out
8. Should children be contestant a person who takes part in a contest
allowed to enter organizer a person who runs or manages a group
beauty pageants? participate to take part in
9. Should student coast to make it through a situation with little trouble
athletes have to get despite regardless of
good grades to play struggle to have trouble completing a task or goal
sports?
10. Should coats made companion a friend

with dog fur be coyote a kind of wild dog that lives in the woods
against the law? loyal to stay true or faithful to someone or something
11. Should boxing be end

endur
uran
ance
ce the abi
the abili
lity
ty to mak
makee itit th
thro
rou
ugh st
stre
ress
ssfu
full sit
situ
uat
atio
ions
ns—e
—eit
ith
her me
mennta
tall or
or
banned? physical
paralysis the loss of the ab
abiility to move or feel part or all of one’
e’ss body
spectacular fascinating an
and ca
captivating
8
50 Debate Prompts
Debate Vocabulary
Prompt Definition
Words
12. Do police belong beat (n.) the area a police officer is responsible for
in schools? controversy an argument or dispute
rowdy wild behavior
13. Should hunting be endangered on its way to becoming extinct
banned as a sport? inhumane cruel and brutal
tradition somet
ethhing that is han
and
ded down from one generation to the next
14. Should students ded
ediication willingness to
to sp
spend ti
time anand en
energy on
on a given pr
project
get paid for motivation the rea
easson or reaso
son
ns that cause you to do something
attending school? sweatshops factories where workererss are treated inhumanely
15. If you do the crime, contribute to add to
should your parents partially in part, no
n ot completely
do the time? senten
encced order
ered
ed by a judge to serve jail time or comm
mmu
unity service
16. Should teen crimi- commit to do; to take part in
nals be locked up increase to make greater, to make more likely to happen
in adult prisons? reform to change for the better
17. Should you change conference a meeting
the way you dress conform to try to fit into accepted standards
because of what shallow lacking depth; superficial
other people might
think?
18. Should businesses crave to have a strong desire for
be forced to deliver dis
iscr
crim
imin
inat
atee to tre
treat
at so
some
meoone un
unfai
airl
rly
y bas
based
ed on unr
unrel
elat
ated
ed fac
acto
tors
rs
to every neighbor- illegal against the law
hood?
19. Should the govern- censor to block out

ment rate music? regulate to control
suitable appropriate; correct for the situation
20. Are teen juries a accused (n.) defendant in a legal case

good idea? jury box the area where jurors sit during a trial
justice the system of laws in a community
21. Is space explo- astronaut a person who travels in outer space
ration worth the explore to investigate
money we spend NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
on it?
22. If you find

find $100,
$100, is convinced believed strongly
it yours to keep? decent good
wad a stack; a bundle
23. Some malls in accompany to go with
America have intimidate to scare
banned teens. Is privilege honor
this fair?
24. If you see someone benefit (v.) to receive help from

cheating on a test, betray to be disloyal
should you tell? consider to think about
9
50 Debate Prompts
Debate Vocabulary
Definition
Prompt Words
25. Are teen curfews a cruise to roam around
good thing? focus to concentrate on
institute (v.) to put into place
26. Is year-round school alternate (v.) to take turns

a good idea? boost to improve
session period when schools are open
27. Should skateboard- disrupt to interrupt

ing be banned in necessary needed
public places? pedestrians people who travel on foot
28. Should Olympic establish to put into place

athletes be tested random to not follow a pattern
for drugs? sacrifice to give up something you really want
29. Should sports enthusiastic to be very excited about

teams drop Native
Na tive offensive insulting
American names? uphold to maintain
30. Should celebrities decision a judgment or conclusion

be responsible for endorse to promote
the products they exploit to take advantage of
endorse?
dilemma a choice between two equal options

31. Should schools
hinder to prevent
have dress codes?
mandatory required
32. Should celebrities influence to effect

speak out on obliged required by a sense of duty
political issues? take a st
stand to express an
an opinion in a pu
public format
33. Should kids have counteract to work against

to address teachers formal proper
as Ma’am and Sir? instill to bring about
34. Should laws be gradually slowly

stricter for teenage restrict to limit
drivers? transport to carry from one location to another
35. Should the aggressive strong-willed

paparazzi be annoying something or someone that bothers or disturbs
banned? aspect one feature of a given situation
priority something that is more important than other things

36. Do teens have too
shelter to protect
much to do?
sufficient enough
37. If you find a artifact an object of historical interest

historical treasure, debt money owed
does it belong to sunken dropped to the bottom of the ocean or other body of water
you?
10
50 Debate Prompts
Debate Vocabulary
Prompt Definition
Words
38. Should surveillance install to put in place
cameras be used in reduce to lower
schools? surveillance to watch carefully over a wide area
common to occur often
39. Should moshing be packed filled to capacity
allowed at concerts? risky potentially dangerous
conclusive provides in
information th
that allows a co
conclusion to
to be
be ma
made
40. Should school news-
inconsistent to no
not fo
follow al
along; to
to be
be co
contrary to
to
papers be censored? supervise to oversee
41. Should paddling be esteem to respect and admire

used to punish stu- estimate to approximate based on given information
dents? severe harsh
42. Would you give up continuously without interruption

certain luxuries to pessimistic negative
save the environ- recycle use again
ment?
43. Should students compassion feelings of sympathy
have to do volunteer involve to take part in
work to graduate? require to make necessary
44. Should schools deserve to earn something

named for slave honor to respect
owners be surgeon a doctor who performs operations in a hospital
renamed?
45. Should doctors compatible to wo
work we
well wi
with so
something or
or so
someone
transplant pigs’ function to work properly
organs into human temporarily for a short time
bodies?
46. Should male and appoint to name someone to a position or group

female training in exclude to keep separate
the military be propose to suggest
separate?
impression a taste of; a suggestion

47. Should girls have
opponent someone on the opposite side or team in a debate or argument
their own schools?
opportunity a chance to do something
bear (v.) to carry something

48. Should kids learn
beef up to strengthen; to improve
riflery in schools?
mix
mixed me
mess
ssag
agee a mess
messagagee with
with tw
two
o or
or more
more con
confl
flic
icti
ting
ng po
poin
ints
ts
49. Should the United abandon to leave or give up on someone or something

States be the horrifying completely frightening
world’s police unthinkable out of the realm of possibility
force?
50. Should teens have consumer a person who buys things

their own credit convenience ease of use
cards? replace to get another
11
50 Debate Prompts
Name Date
Learning New Words

You may come across some new words
words as you read this debate. Put each new
word in the graphic organizer below and fill in the information for each word.
(Be sure to include all words you see in boldface type.)
Debate Topic:
Word Sentence My Definition
12
50 Debate Prompts
Name Date
Before and After

Sometimes people change their minds—or opinions. Does this ever ever happen to
you, too? Use the graphic organizer below to keep keep track of how your your opinion
either changes or stays
stays the same. Here’
Here’ss what you do:
1. Read the Debate Topic title.Then fill in Pa Part
rt 1: Before.
Before
2.When
2. When you havehave finished
finished reading the debate,
debate, fill in Part 2:After .
3. In Part 3:
3:TTell Why , explain your thinkin
thinking.
g.
Debate Topic:
Part 1: Before reading
reading this debate, these are my
Before thoughts and opinions about the topic:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Part 2: After reading

reading this debate,
debate, this is how my
After opinion has gotten stronger:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Part 3: After reading

reading this debate,
debate, this is how my
Tell
ell Why
W hy opinion has changed:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
13
50 Debate Prompts
Name Date
Looking at Both Sides

In most debate
debate issues,
issues, you will
will see reasons
reasons for
for or against
against the topic.
topic. As you read
read
the debate, keep track of both sides by filling in the graphic organizer below.
below.
Debate Topic:
For/Yes Against/No
14
50 Debate Prompts
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
1
Should animals be used

to test
test new products?
products?
Scientists perform tests on animals every day.
day. Some people think the tests are
cruel and painful.
painful. What do you
you think?
think?
Have you ever wondered how a company also help researchers find cures for diseases.
knows that its shampoo won’t burn your But many animals suffer or die during the
eyes? Or make your scalp break out in a tests. Animal-rights advocates say this is
rash? Companies test their products before wrong. One group,
group, called PETA
PETA (People for
they sell them. And a lot of these products are the Ethical Treatment
Treatment of Animals)
Animals),, says that
tested on animals first. animals have feelings—just like people. They
Shampoo isn’t the only thing tested on get hungry and thirsty. They feel fear and pain.
animals. Many medicines are also tested on PETA
PETA thinks that all testing on animals
animals. Each year, American researchers use should stop. Others feel that it’s the only way
more than
than 20
20 million
million mice,
mice, monkeys,
monkeys, rabbits,
rabbits, to fight disease and make safe products.
and other animals in scientific tests. These tests What do you think? Should animals be used
help make sure that products are safe. They to test new products?
Hardly anyone dies of Animals have feelings,

smallpox,
smallpox, polio,
polio, or rabies
rabies just like humans. It’s
It’s
anymo
anymore.re. Why?
Why? Vaccines wrong when they die to
helped
helped wipe them out. out. And without
without test our products—especially those that
animal testing, we wouldn’t
wouldn’t have
have have
have no real medical purpose.
vaccines.
vaccines. We need animal
animal testing to find Companies like The Body Shop are
vaccines and to let scientists try out developing new products without animal
new medical
medical techniques, such as heart
heart testing.
testing. Doctors
Doctors and resear
researchers
chers should
transplants
transplants.. Yes, it does
does hurt some stop all animal
animal testing
testing now
now. It’s
It’s not fair
animals, but it saves
saves thousands of human to put animals’ lives at risk for humans.
lives.
lives. And that’s really
really important.
important.
Your Turn!
Write Now: What is your point of view? Write a letter to the editor of your local
newspaper voicing your opinion.
50 Debate Prompts
15
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
2
Should cell phones and

beepers be allowed in class?
Some teachers say
say cell phones and pagers should be banned from school. Other
people say kids need them.What do you think?
One of the problems with cell phones and But lots of people disagree. They say kids
beepers is that they can be a major source of need pagers and cell phones. Some kids have
distraction. There’s nothing worse than to keep in touch with parents and work.
someone’s
someone’s cell phone ringing in the middle of Rather than banning beepers and cell phones,
something important. And if the people some say that school officials should just
actually start talking, it’s even worse. This is make kids use them responsibly.
why many teachers are trying to ban cell What do you think? Should cell phones and
phones and pagers from school. They claim beepers be allowed in class?
the devices disrupt their classrooms and
totally blow
blow their students’ concentration.
Worse, if they
they go off
off during
during a test,
test, they can
really hurt someone’s grade.
Banning cell phones is What does a kid need a

totally unfair! Kids don’t cell phone for? If there’s an
have phones and pagers for emergency,
emergency, parents can
fun. They
They need
need them.
them. They
They have
have to be
be always
always call the principal.
principal. And students
students can
able to communicate with their parents use a pay phone to keep in touch with
and their employers—especially if there’s their employers.
employers. Or they can keep
keep a cell
an emerge
emergency
ncy.. Sure,
Sure, kids should
should use
use their
their phone in their locker and check messages
phones and beepers responsibly.
responsibly. But that’s
that’s between classes.The fact is, cell phones
different from banning them altogether. and beepers are really just a way of
Cell phones and pagers are here to stay. keeping in touch with friends and dates.
Kids might as well learn to use them There are too many distractions in kids’
responsibly while they’re in school. lives already.They don’t need another one.
Your Turn!
Talk About It: What is the strongest argument for allowing cell phones and
beepers in class? What’s the strongest argument against them?
16 50 Debate Prompts
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
3
In disasters like the sinking of the

Titanic , who should be saved first?
Some people say
say that, in emergencies,
emergencies, women
women and children should be saved
saved first.
Do you agree with this?
When the Titanic was built,
built, everyon
everyonee said it to be helped. Second, they believed
believed that the
was indestructible. But on the night of April lives of women and children were more
14,
14, 1912
1912,, on its
its fir
first
st voyage from England to valuable. Finally,
Finally, many men thought placing
New York, the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. women and children first was simply the right
Of the 2,224 people
people aboard, only about
about 700 and proper thing to do. “Women
“Women and children
survived. first” is how
how they did everything.
everything.
Many of the people who survived were Does this make sense? What if the Titanic
women and children. This was because male sank today? Do you think men should do the
passengers decided that women and children same thing?
should get into the lifeboats first. There were
many reasons for this.
this. First, men believed
believed that
women
women and children were weaker,
weaker, and needed
It’s a fact—women and The whole idea of

children are more valuable “women and children
to society than men. first” is an insult. In today’
today’ss
Women are the ones who have children. world,
world, everyon
everyone e is equal.
equal. Women are are
And children are the ones who keep a just as strong as men—they don’t need need
family
family going.
going. So “women
“women and childr
children
en men to save
save them. Women can save save
first” isn’t just being nice. It makes
makes themselve
themselves.s. Ma
Maybe
ybe childr
children
en should
should go
sen
sense.
se. If th
the Titanic disaster were to firs
first.
t. But
But if the
the Titanic disaster happened
happen today
today, men should let women today,
today, women and men should get in the
and children go first. lifeboats together.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Do you think “women and children first” is a good idea? Why or why not?
50 Debate Prompts
17
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
4
Should beaches have rules?

Some people say
say that beaches should have
have rules. Others say that rules ruin
beaches.What do you think?
N o doubt about
about it, summer
summer is meant for umbrella bigger than six feet around. If you
kicking back and having fun. And there’s no have an illegal umbrella, you get a ticket.
better place to chill out on a hot summer’s day Some people think this is ridiculous. They
than the beach. In some parts of America, say the beach should be a place to get away
though,
though, the beach is becoming
becoming more and more from the rules and regulations of everyday
like school.
school. No, there aren’t
aren’t any classes.
classes. But life. Others say it’s about time beaches had
there are definitely a lot of rules. some restrictions. They say that with all the
On some beaches,
beaches, for instance,
instance, there’s
there’s loud music and objects hurtling through the
absolutely no ball playing or boom boxes. On air, it’s impossible to relax and have
have fun.
others you can’t have dogs or flyf ly a kite. And What do you think? Should beaches have
at several
several beaches in California, you’re
you’re not rules?
allowed to throw a Frisbee or use a beach
Rules are a good idea. The beach is a place to

Some beaches are so play
play, hang out, and have
have
crazy it’s
it’s impossible to fun. It is one of the
the last
show up without getting injured. And places in this country where you can do
on the quieter beaches, it just takes a whatever you want without anyone
couple of guys with a football to ruin hassling
hassling you.
you. Making
Making a lot of
of rules is just
everyon
everyone’e’ss good
good time. Rules give
give another way to make life more
lifeguards more power to make beaches complicated
complicated.. The beach
beach should be easy,
easy,
fun for everyon
everyone.e. Without
Without rules,
rules, the fun,
fun, and rule
rule-fr
-free.
ee. If people
people want
want peace
peace
loudest and most obnoxious people and quiet they should stay in bed!
would always dominate the beach.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Make a poster that lists rules you think a beach should have.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
5
Should people be allowed to go

barefoot anywhere they want?
Some people think that going barefoot
barefoot should be banned in certain places. Others
think that being barefoot should always be allowed.What do you think?
E verybody
verybody likes
likes to go barefoot,
barefoot, right? this trend.
trend. Lots of restaurant
restaurant owners,
owners, for
There’s nothing better than feeling cool grass instance,
instance, place signs
signs on their doors saying
saying
or smooth pebbles between your toes. Even shoes are required. They say that bare feet
in cities,
cities, some people
people like it so much they
they go smell bad and “turn
“turn off” other customers
customers..
barefoot
barefoot all the time, and this trend
trend is picking Other people say going barefoot is
up steam. There’s even a club to promote dangerous. They say barefooters can be
going barefoot. It’s called the “Dirty Sole seriously injured if they step on glass, nails,
Society”
Society” and has over
over six hundred members.
members. or other sharp objects. They also say bare feet
People in this club do everything without spread disease.
shoes.
shoes. They
They shop,
shop, work, and even
even go out
out to What do you think? Should people be
eat barefoot. allowed to go barefoot wherever they want?
But certain people aren’t so happy about
Barefoot people should Feet are dirty and they

be protected! This is a stink. If people
people want to go
free country and if people barefo
barefoot,
ot, fine.
fine. But they
want to be shoeless, no one should stop should do it in their own homes and on
them.The idea that being barefoot is their own property and leave the rest of
unhealth
unhealthyy is just a myth.
myth. And going
going us alone. Feet-people saysay their rights are
are
barefoot is no more dangerous than being violated with these
these laws.
laws. But
anything else. Maybe the government
government what about the right of people not to
ought to pick up all that broken
broken glass see or smell people’s
people’s disgusting feet?
rather than harass barefoot people.As What good is the law if it doesn’t at
for people who think it’s
it’s disgusting, they least protect us from that?
need to lighten up!
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Make a list of three reasons why someone would want to go
barefoot anywhere they want. Make another list of three reasons why someone would
not want to.
50 Debate Prompts
19
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
6
Should gun makers pay

the cost
cost of gun violence?
violence?
Some people say that gun makers should be held responsible for gun violence.
Other people
people say this
this is unfair.
unfair. What do you
you think?
I t’s against the law to make unsafe products and death. And they’re
they’re trying to get gun
in the United States. You
You can’t build cars with makers to pay for the harm these weapons
bad brakes. You
You can’t sell food that will make have caused.
people sick. And you can’t make toys that are But gun makers say that guns are dangerous
dangerous to kids. So what about guns? Guns only if people misuse them. They claim that
kill people every day. Should they be gun makers shouldn’t be held responsible for
considered an unsafe product? Should the the actions of criminals.
gun makers be punished? What do you think? Should gun makers be
Many states and cities have decided that held responsible for the results of gun
guns are unsafe. And they are suing the violence?
companies that make them. They say that a
gun is a product that leads to crime, injury,
injury,
Gun violence is a big People should be

problem in this country. responsible for their own
Someone needs to take action
actions.
s. Gun make
makersrs have
have
responsib
responsibility
ility.. Gun makers
makers make
make lots of nothing to do with how guns are are used. If
money from a productproduct that leads to criminals misuse a gun, it’s
it’s their fault—
terrible
terrible violence.
violence. They should
should foot
foot the not the
the gun
gun mak
maker’
er’s.
s. Besides,
Besides, things
things like
like
bill to fix the problem.
problem. Gun mak makers
ers cars can
can be dangero
dangerous
us too.
too. But no one
should be forced to pay for police and wants toto ban them.
them. And no one wouldwould
hospitals.
hospitals. And they they should bebe required
required sue a car company if they were run
to pay for the cost of installing
inst alling safety over.
over. Why should it be different
different for gun
locks on all their guns. makers?
Your Turn!
Write Now: Imagine that you have lost a brother or sister to gun violence. Write a
letter to your state senator explaining your point of view on this debate.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
7
Should people lose their jobs

if it helps the environment?
Of course the environment is important, but some say jobs are more important.
What do you think?
What would you think if someone told you them. Or it means that new businesses can’t
that an animal or a bird was about to become be built on lands that house threatened
extinct? You’d want someone to do some- animals. And this leads to people losing jobs.
thing about
about it, right? But
But what would you
you Environmentalists don’t
don’t want to see people
think if they told you that saving this animal out of work. But they also say that nature has
might cost your parents their jobs? Tough to be protected. Other people say that it’s time
question? Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, many communities to put human beings first. They say they don’t
across the United States struggle with this want to destroy the environment, butbut they
they
problem every day. think that jobs are more important than
Many types of animals are in danger of animals.
becoming extinct. Saving them sometimes What do you think? Are endangered species
means closing the businesses that threaten more important than jobs?
Endangered
Endangered species It’s
It’s time to put people
must be our first priority. first! People shouldn’t
It’s
It’s unfortunate when lose their jobs because of
people lose their jobs, but it’s
it’s worse animal
animals.
s. Sure,
Sure, we shoul
shouldd prote
protect
ct the
when animal species become extinct. enviro
environment
nment as as best we we can. But saving
saving
The American wilderness is a national the environment should not put people
treas
treasur
ure.
e. It belo
belongs
ngs to every
everyone.
one. And out of work.
work. Anywa
Anywayy, environ
environmenta
mentalists
lists
it would be sad to lose any part of it. always
always exagg
exaggerate.
erate. Lots of times
times
More important, the planet’s
planet’s endangered
endangered species are just types of
environment
environment is very
very delicate. Losing a bugs or weeds.
weeds. It’s
It’s bad enough
enough to think
think
single kind of animal could have
have terrible that an endangered owl might cost
consequences. people
people their
their jobs.
jobs. But bugsbugs and
and weeds?
weeds?
Your Turn!
Find Out More: Make a list of jobs that may harm certain parts of the
environment.
50 Debate Prompts
21
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
8
Should children be allowed

to enter beauty pageants?
pageants?
Some people think girls should be in their teens before entering beauty pageants.
Others think it’s
it’s okay for these girls to be younger
younger.. What do you think?
There’s a beauty pageant in town and a say the girls learn about
about hard work, discipline,
discipline,
friend convinces you to go. You think beauty and self-confidence.
pageants are boring. But you go anyway, Other people say that children should not
because you want to see what the big deal is. be put through the stress of beauty pageants.
When you arrive
arrive at the contest, however,
however, They say that six-year-olds should not have to
you’re shocked because you discover that the worry about things like self-discipline or
contestants are only six years old. being the most beautiful little girl.
Every year,
year, over 100,000
100,000 girls under
under the What do you think? Should children be
age of twelve compete in beauty pageants in beauty queens?
the United States. Organizers of these
pageants say they teach young girls important
lessons that will help them later in life. They
People who want to All beauty pageants are

stop these pageants ridiculous,
ridiculous, but these
should lighten up. pageants are the worst.
Participating in beauty pageants is just Teaching girls to compete over their
like playing
playing Little
Little League.
League. Beauty pageants
pageants looks is wrong, especially when they’re
they’re
can teach a girl how
how to be self-confident
self-confide nt so young.
young. Little girls should
should learn
learn to feel
and a good
good sport. More
More important
important,, confident about
about their abilities, not their
they’
they’re lots of fun. Six-year
Six-year-olds
-olds love
love looks. And who cares
cares if a six-year
six-year-old
wearing glamorous dresses and fancy learns
learns about disciplin
discipline.
e. Six-year
Six-year-old
-old girls
girls
hair styles.
styles. And their
their parents
parents and family
family should be having
having fun, not working.
love to see them all dressed up. Beauty pageants are not just a waste of
time. They’
They’re
re harmful!
harmful!
Your Turn!
Talk About It:
What is the minimum age someone should be to enter a beauty
pageant? Why?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
9
Should student athletes have to

get good grades to play sports?
Some say athletes should have at least a “C” average to play
play sports. Others say
this is too strict.What do you think?
Picture this:
this: A good friend of yours
yours has play sports. Your friend’s average is a “D.”
always struggled in school. He’s a great guy. Suddenly,
Suddenly, he’s off the team. Is this fair?
But he has a hard time doing well on tests. Some school boards say it is and have
Despite his troubles
troubles inin school,
school, howev
however,
er, your already passed rules like this. They say that
friend has a few things going for him. He grades must come first. Others disagree. They
happens to be the very best hockey goalie in say that sports are healthy,
healthy, positive activities
the state.
state. In fact,
fact, he’s
he’s so good, there’s
there’s a that should not be linked to grades.
chance he’ll go pro. There’s just one thing. In What do you think? Should athletes with
the middle of hishis best season ever,
ever, when he’s
he’s bad grades be kicked off the “team”?
breaking
breaking every
every record in the book, the school
school
board passes a new rule. They say that if you
don’t
don’t have
have at least
least a “C”
“C” average,
average, you can’t
can’t
School is about learning. Sports and grades havehave

Everything else should nothing to do with each
come
come second.
second. It’s
It’s wrong
wrong other.
other. If a kid can become
that kids can coast through school a great
great athlete, nothing should stand in
without
without learning
learning much.
much. This rule
rule will the way
way. And even
even if some kids have
have no
make kids work harder to get a good chance of going pro,
pro, they shouldn’t
shouldn’t be
education.
education. Anywa
Anywayy, it’s
it’s hard to become
become punished
punished for their
their grades.
grades. Think of of
a profess
professional
ional athlete.
athlete. People
People need
need everything you learn from sports:
something
something to fall
fall back on.
on. And even
even if
if teamwork,
teamwork, fast thinking,
thinking, discipline,
discipline, and
someone does go go pro,
pro, they’ll still need other skills. There are a lot of things
things you
to know how to read and do math. need to know to survive
survive in the world, and
you can’t learn them all from books.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Imagine you are the star football player at your school. How
would you feel if you were kept out of the game until your grades improved?
improved?
50 Debate Prompts
23
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
10
Should coats made with

dog fur be against the law?
Some people say
say making coats from
from dog fur is cruel. Others say dog fur is just
like any other fur.What do you think?
L et’s say you’re at a department store look- fur collars came from coyotes. But they were
ing for a new winter coat. You see lots of wrong. When
When they found
found out, they quickly
quickly
things you like. But there’s one coat that you stopped selling the coats and gave people
have to have. After a long talk with your their money back. They didn’t have to do
mother, she agrees to help you buy it. You’re this—it isn’t against the law to sell coats
thrilled! There’s only one problem. When you made from dogs. But some people think it
get home, you discover
discover that the coat’s really should be.
warm and snuggly collar is made out of dog What do you think? Should dog-fur coats
fur. What do you do? be against the law?
Recently lots of people have faced this
situation. One company accidentally sold
coats with dog-fur collars. They thought the
Of course it should be What’s the difference

against
against the law.
law. A dog is between a dog and any
not a wild
wild anim
animal.
al. A dog is other animal? People wear
a pet.
pet. In man
manyy homes
homes,, dogs
dogs are
are like
like coats made from foxes.They wear
members of the family.
family. They make
make good snakeskin
snakeskin boots.
boots. And people
people eat
eat all
companions, and they they are
are loyal to sorts of animals.Why not use a dog to
humans.
humans. They
They should be treated
treated with
with make a coat? It’s ridiculous to say it’s
respe
respect.
ct. Plus,
Plus, the wa
way the dogs
dogs are
are okay to kill one animal and not another.
killed is horrible.
horrible. They
They are suffocate
suffocatedd or Anyway
Anyway, a lot of dog fur comes from
drowned.
drowned. Wearing dog dog fur is totally China, where most
most dogs aren’t
aren’t pets.
wrong!
Your Turn!
Write About It: Write an e-mail message to your senator explaining either why dog
fur coats should be outlawed or why they should be kept legal.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
11
Should boxing be banned?

Some people say boxing is too dangerous. Others say it is no different from
from any
other sport.What do you think?
Boxing is a one-of-a-kind sport. It’s an excit- terrible injuries like brain damage and
ing, physically
physically challengi
challenging
ng test of paralysis. They also say boxing
endurance, and a spectacular one-on-one desensitizes people to violence by turning
competition. Boxing is also a major money- fighting into a sport.
maker. Some boxers make $10 million for But other people say that the government
just one fight. And television stations and should not make boxing illegal. They say that
arena owners make even more. Why? Lots of if two people
people want to box,
box, then no one should
should
be able to stand in their way.
way.
people love
love boxing, and they’re
they’re willing to
What do you think? Should boxing be
pay big money to see it.
banned?
But recently,
recently, some people have
have tried to
make boxing illegal. They say that boxing is
much too dangerous and that it leads to
Ban boxing for good! Boxing may may be risky,

risky, but
It’s just too dangerous. this
this is a fre
free
e count
countryry.. If
Ask Evander Holyfield. people want to step into a
Mike Tyson bit off a piece of his ear in a boxing ring,
ring, no one should
should stop them.
boxing
boxing match.
match. And whatwhat about
about Gerald Besides, more people
people are hurt
hurt or killed
McClellan? This former boxing boxing champ every year
year in other
other sports, including
was beaten into a coma at the age of football
football and auto
auto racing.
racing. No one’
one’s trying
twenty-seven.
twenty-seven. Now he’s he’s brain-damaged to ban those sports.
sports. If you
you don’t
don’t like
like
and blind.
blind. Dog fights
fights and
and rooster
rooster fights boxing,
boxing, don’t
don’t watch
watch it.
it. But don’
don’tt ban it.
are illegal
illegal in America.
America. It’s
It’s about time we
stop human fights too!
Your Turn!
Find Out More: Take a poll of five people. Are they for or against a boxing ban?
50 Debate Prompts
25
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
12
Do police belong in schools?

Trouble in schools? Some say that police are the answer.What do you think?
Police officers around the country have a Also, people think having a police officer
officer
new beat. It’s called public school. Counties around makes kids feel safer.
in more than forty states now have police But other people think having cops in
officers patrolling their school grounds. It’s school is a terrible idea. They say it will make
one of the many ways schools are trying to kids feel like school is a dangerous place.
stop violence. But the presence of cops in They also claim that the police officers will
schools is causing controversy. make kids feel like they are in prison.
People in favor of police officers in schools What do you think? Should we have cops in
say the cops prevent violence. A kid is less our schools?
likely to start a fight if a police officer is
there. And if there’s
there’s an emergency,
emergency, there is
someone there who is trained to handle it.
Public schools aren’t

aren’t Are you kidding? Just
what they used to be. because a few school
There’s a lot of violence hallways
hallways are a little
li ttle rowdy
now.
now. If having
having police
police officers
officers in the
the at times, it doesn’t mean we need police
schools puts an end to that, then they guarding
guarding the place. Police
Police mak
make e
should be in every
every school.
school. Besides,
Besides, students feel uncomfortable, too.
we’ve
we’ve been told our whole lives that School is a place to
t o grow and learn how
police
police officers
officers are our friend
friends.
s. Why
Why to think. You don’t
don’t need armed guards
guards
shouldn’t they “be our friends” in school to help you do that.
as well?
Your Turn!
Talk About It:
Would you feel safer if there were police in your school? Why or why
not? What do your friends think?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
13
Should hunting be
banned as a sport?
Some people
people think that hunting should
should be banned. Other people disagre
disagree.
e. What
do you think?
E very year about 14 million Americans go These people also say that hunting destroys
hunting.
hunting. They shoot at bear,
bear, moose,
moose, prairie
prairie the environm
e nvironment.
ent.
dogs,
dogs, and even
even pigeons.
pigeons. Some of these Hunters say that they’re
they’re just doing what
animals become food. Some are stuffed for people have always done. They say hunting is
trophies. Others are sold for their skins. an American tradition and that no one has the
In recent
recent years, howev
however,
er, hunters
hunters have
have been right to tell them to stop. Many hunters also
the ones under attack. Hunting seasons have say they need to hunt because it provides food
been shortened. Land has been placed off- for their families.
limits for hunters. And certain animals have What do you think? Should hunting be
been declared endangered, which
which mean
meanss no banned?
one is allowed to kill them. Why? Many
people say hunting is cruel and inhumane.
Very few people hunt Why is a hunter’s bullet

because they need to feed any more cruel than a
their families. Today,
oday, mountain lion’s fang?
people don’t even need to eat meat at Every animal survives by eating living
all.
all. Beside
Besides,
s, hunter
hunterss often
often shoo
shoott at things, whether it’s
it’s plants or animals.
animals that they
t hey aren’t
aren’t allowed to hunt. Besides,
Besides, in some states,
states, people
people have
have to
In Colorado,
Colorado, hunters are allowed
allowed to hunt and store food for the winter.
shoot
shoot at
at elk,
elk, but not moose.
moose. But theythey There’s a reason why the moose is the
keep
keep shooting
shooting the moose
moose anywa
anywayy. It most hunted of all animals in the state
st ate
would be better if they weren’t allowed of Alaska.
Alaska. One moose
moose can supply
supply more
more
to hunt at all. than five hundred pounds of meat!
Your Turn!
Find Out More: Research
Research what kinds of animals are hunted in your state. When
are they hunted and for how long?
50 Debate Prompts
27
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
14
Should students get paid

for attending school?
Some people say
say we should pay kids for showing up for school. Others say that
education should be the only motivation for going to school.What do you think?
I t’s 7:00 A.M. and you’
you’re not sure if you’
you’re
re this dedication. At their schools they get paid
well enough to go to school. You’re
You’re not quite for good attendance!
sick, but you think you might
might have a cold. Many people are trying to stop this. They
Maybe just a little cold. Maybe only the snif- say kids shouldn’t be paid for attending
fles. So you tell your mom that you should school. They say this is nothing more than
definitely stay home—just to play it safe. The bribery.
bribery. Others say that if getting kids to stay
next thing you know
know,, she’s handing you your in school is so important, then paying them is
lunch and pushing you out the door. an idea that could work.
Sound familiar? It’s not like this for What do you think? Should kids be paid for
everyone. In some schools across the United good attendance?
States,
States, kids will do anythin
anythingg to not miss a
single day of school. And there’s
there’s a reason for
For some students, Is this a joke?

joke? Students
school is really hard. should not be bribed to
Every day is a challenge. attend school! There are
We need to do everything we can to tons of kids around the world who are
keep
keep them in school.
school. Paying
Paying them
them can working in sweatshops . Giv Give the
themm the
the
preven
preventt them from dropping
dropping out.
out. Also,
Also, education that paid kids are too lazy to
good attendance leads to good grades. get on
on their
their own.
own. School
School is a place
That’s
That’s worth whatever
whatever it costs.
costs. If we where you learn how to deal with the
need to pay kids to do better ini n school, future.
future. If some kids don’
don’tt want to
to take
take
we should. It will be worth it in the end. advantage of our free system—then tell
them to take a hike.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Ask two adults how they feel about this issue. Then ask two
kids.
kids. How are their opinions similar or different?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
15
If you do the crime, should

your parents do the time?
Some say that parents of young
young criminals should be punished. Others say their
child’s crime is not their fault.What do you think?
When kids
kids do things
things that are wrong,
wrong, their even cutting welfare payments if their
parents normally get angry. But they usually children miss school regularly.
regularly.
don’t get sentenced or fined themselves. But many people think these policies are
Until now! Today
Today,, more than 35 states have
have terrible. They say parents have some
laws holding parents legally responsible for responsibili
responsibilities,
ties, but that the only person
person to
their children’s actions. blame for a crime is a criminal. They also say
In California,
California, parents
parents can be forced to pay
pay that the laws send a bad message to kids—it
up to $25,000 to cover the cost of property tells them that they aren’t responsible for their
damage their children cause. In Oregon,
O regon, own actions.
parents can be fined up to $1000 or be What do you think? When teens commit
ordered to attend parenting classes if their crimes,
crimes, should
should their parents
parents do the time?
time?
kids commit juvenile crimes. Some states are
Kids don’t just end up This is ridiculous! Sure,

bad.
bad. They
They beco
become
me it’s
it’s important
import ant for parents
criminals because no one to raise their kids right.
has taught
taught them
them right
right from
from wrong.
wrong. Sure,
Sure, But at a certain
cer tain point all people have
have to
there are lots of things that affect kids. take responsibility for their own actions.
Schools,
Schools, friends,
friends, society—all
society—all ofof these When kids commit crimes, they’re they’re
contribute to how how a kid beha
behave
ves.
s. But responsibl
responsible,
e, not their pare
parents.
nts. Anywa
Anywayy,
no one affects kids’ actions more than parents don’t always have as much
parent
parents.
s. If a kid
kid ends
ends up a crimi
criminal
nal,, the control as you’d
you’d think. Good parents can
parents are partially responsible.And end up with a bad kid.They shouldn’t be
they should be punished. punished for that.
that. It’s
It’s not their fault.
Your Turn!
Talk About It: What do you think? Tell why it would be a good rule. Tell why it would
be a bad rule.
50 Debate Prompts
29
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
16
Should teen criminals be

locked up in adult prisons?
Some say that teens who commit serious crimes should go to adult prisons.
Others say that teens need their own detention centers.What do you think?
“Do the crime
crime,, do the
the time!”
time!” That’
That’s what
what But not everyone wants teen criminals to be
lawmakers around the country are saying to tried as adults. Many experts say that what
teens who commit violent crimes. Currently,
Currently, teen criminals need most is a chance to turn
there are about five thousand kids under their lives around. They say that adult prison
eighteen behind bars in adult prisons. And offers little chance for a teen to reform. They
soon there may be more. Congress wants to only make young people more hardened and
pass a new law that would send teens as violent.
young as fourteen to jail with adult criminals. What do you think? Do you think that teens
These lawmakers argue that sending teens to should be sent to adult prisons?
juvenile prisons lets them off easy.
easy. They say
that only hard time in adult prisons will con-
vince a teen not to commit crimes.
Kids who do adult Kids who commit

crimes should serve adult serious crimes need
time.
time. Juve
Juvenile
nile sent
sentenc
ences
es serious
serious help.
help. They
They need
need
are not tough enough for teens who to be in rehabilitation or juvenile
commit violent crimes like murder. detention where they can clean up their
Violent criminals are dangerous and act. Locking
Locking kids
kids up with adult
adult crimina
criminals
ls
should be locked
locked up, no matter how old only increases their
their proble
problems.
ms. They
They
they are.
are. To do anything
anything else is not just don’t
don’t get the help they need.
need. Worse,
wrong—it’s
wrong—it’s dangerous.
dangerous. The lawlaw needs adult prisoners will often attack young
to crack down on teen crimes and make people
people in jail. Adult prison
prison is no
no place
place
our streets
streets safe
safe from gangs,
gangs, guns, and for a kid.
drugs!
Your Turn!
Write Now: You probably feel strongly about this issue. Share your opinion by
writing a paragraph explaining your point of view.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
17
Should you change the way you dress

because of what other people might think?
Should you wear what you want? Or should you wear what others think you
should wear? What do you think?
Your parents have been complaining about semester, so you’re
you’re not sweating it. But when
the way you dress. They say you can express you catch your parents heading off to the
yourself,
yourself, but that
that maybe you should
should tone
tone it meetings, you can’t believe your eyes. Your
down.
down. Spiky hair
hair is all right, but not
not all the mother is wearing a red mini-skirt and an
time. As for the nose ring—they can live with enormous blonde wig. Your father’s wearing a
it, but not at your grandmother
grandmother’’s birthday gross Hawaiian shirt and torn shorts.
party. You’re furious!
fur ious! You
You say
sa y you’ll
you’l l be the
You’re sick of all these fashion rules and tell laughing stock of the school; they tell you
your parents that how you dress is no one’s they’re
they’re just being themselves.
business but yours. You have to be yourself. What do you say now? Should you change
A month later,
later, parent-teach
parent-teacherer conferences the way you dress because of what other
roll around. You’ve been doing well this people might think?
It’s
It’s a fact:
fact: Peopl
People
e judge
judge You should always be
you by the clothes you yours
yourself
elf.. It’s
It’s as simple
simple as
wear
wear. Sometimes
Sometimes that’s
that’s that
that.. If peo
peopl plee are
are
wrong.
wrong. But if you’
you’re
re meeting
meeting someone
someone shallow enough to judge you by the
who doesn’t know
know you, they don’t
don’t clothes you wear,
wear, that’s
that’s their problem,
always
always have much
much to go on. You may be not yours.
yours. Anywa
Anywayy, if your
your family
family and
a great
great person.
person. But if you’
you’re wearin
wearingg a friends really love
love you, they’ll get over
shirt with a skull on it, someone
someone might what might scare
scare them
them at first.
first. Even
Even
find that frightening. You don’t always
always grandpar
grandparents.
ents. Probabl
Probablyy half the stuff
stuff
have to conform. But sometimsometimes
es it’s
it’s kids do seems strange to grandparents.
grandparents.
best to dress according to the situation.
sit uation. But most of the time they manage to
love their grandkids anyway.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: What’s
What’s your view on this debate? Think about the other side
and defend it.
50 Debate Prompts
31
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
18
Should businesses be forced to

deliver to every neighborhood?
One politician wants a law that forces
forces businesses to deliver.
deliver. But is she right or is
she making matters worse?
I magine that you’ve been craving pizza all her neighborhood. So she took action. She
day.
day. Finally
Finally,, once you
you get home, you call
call to helped pass a new law that makes it illegal for
have one delivered. But the pizza company businesses to deliver to some neighborhoods
says it won’t deliver to your neighborhood. but not others.
“A driver was robbed
robbed last week,”
week,” an employee Her opponents say this law is unfair. They
says. “You’ll have to pick up your pizza say it’s not Domino’s and Mr. Pizzaman that
here.” are affected by this new law.
law. It’s their
Okay,
Okay, so maybe you live in a high-crime employees. It’s the drivers who now have to
area. But you’d never rob anyone. Is the pizza risk their lives just to deliver pizzas
company being unfair? In San Francisco, What do you think? Should businesses be
California,
California, one lawmaker
lawmaker thinks
thinks so. Neither required to deliver to every neighborhood?
Domino’s nor Mr. Pizzaman would deliver in
If living in a certain It’s

It’s easy for politicians
neighborhood doesn’t to talk about fairness.
make you a criminal,
criminal, why They’re not the ones who
should delivery services discriminate have
have to deliver pizzas to high-crime
against you? After all, delivery is neighborh
neighborhoods.
oods. Across
Across the country,
country,
available to those who live in other pizza deliverers have been robbed,
neighborhoods. If delivering pizzas is so attacked
attacked,, and even
even murder
murdered.
ed. Doing
unsafe, pizza places shouldn’t
shouldn’t deliver to your job shouldn’t mean risking your
anyone.
anyone. Life is
is tough enough
enough for good life. Businesses
Businesses should
should be able
able to make
make
citizens who live in areas with high their own decisions about where they
crime rates.
rates. Don’t
Don’t punish
punish them
them for it. deliver
deliver.. A company
company has the right to
protect its employees.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: If you were a delivery person, would you want to drive into a
high-crime neighborhood? What if you lived in that neighborhood? Would you expect
businesses to deliver to you?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
19
Should the government rate music?

Some people say
say that the government
government should rate music. Others say ratings hurt
free speech.What do you think?
Picture this: Your favorite
favorite music group sale of music to kids. Only music companies
comes out with a new record. You’ve heard rate albums. And music stores decide for
that some of the lyrics might not be suitable themselves who to sell them to. But some
for kids,
kids, and your
your parents are
are pretty strict
strict people want the government to start rating
about that kind of stuff. After talking it over records. And they want the government to
with them,
them, howev
however
er,, they decide you can
can get make it illegal for young people to buy certain
the album. But when you go to the store to kinds of music.
buy it,
it, the store manager
manager won’t
won’t sell it to you. What do you think? Should the government
He says it’s illegal for you to buy it because rate the music you listen to?
you’re too young. Your parents say it’s okay.
But the government says it isn’t. Who’s right?
Right nownow, there are no laws
laws regulating the
If record companies If the government starts

rate their
their own music,
music, who rating music, they’re
they’re saying
saying
knows what they’re going what people can and can’t
to say? They’re
They’re only interested
interest ed in listen
listen to. That’
That’ss censorship and a
making
making a sale. There
There is no way
way they are
are violation of the First Amendment! And
going to give an honest review
review.. Anyway
Anyway, if they get away with censoring music,
what difference does a label make if it it’s
it’s just a matter of time before they
doesn’t stop a kid from buying a record? censor
censor television
television and books.
books. Kids and
and
Without government
government regulations, record
record their parents should have the right to
stores will sell whatever they can to decide what music kids listen to.The
whoever wants to buy. government
government should stay out of it!
Your Turn!
Talk About It:Poll other students in your class. Have they ever bought CDs that
their parents might not have wanted them to buy? What happened?
50 Debate Prompts
33
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
20
Are teen juries a good idea?

In courts around
around the country
country,, kids are judging
judging other
other kids. Is this a good idea?
idea?
Picture this: You’re on a field trip to the people are tried by juries of other young
town courthouse. While you’re there you get people. The juries can give sentences of
to meet many
many important
important people:
people: a judge, community service. They can also
lawyers, and even
even the mayor.
mayor. Then your recommend that the accused go to counseling.
teacher says you’re going to watch a real But there is one thing that the teen juries can’t
trial. But when
when the trial begins,
begins, and the jury do—they can’t send kids to jail.
walks into the jury box, you disco
discover
ver that
that the
the Many people think youth courts are a great
jury is made up of kids your own age! way to involve kids in the justice system.
Surprised?
Surprised? Believ
Believee it or not, these trials
trials are Others say kids are too young to hand out fair
happening all across the country. sentences.
Right now,
now, there are more than 200 youth What do you think? Are youth courts a
courts in 25 states. In youth courts, young good idea?
Youth courts work! The What? These kids are

statistics speak for them- still in school.
school. How could
could
selves: Only 25 percent of they know enough to be
kids sentenced in youth court commit on a jury? This has nothing to do with
crimes
crimes again. That’s much less than in rights. You need experience and wisdom
regul
regular
ar court.
court. Plus,
Plus, youth
youth courts
courts may
may to be in a courtroo
courtroom. m. Anywa
Anywayy, what kid
kid
prevent
prevent kids from committing crimes in is going to take a youth court seriously?
the first place. Why?
Why? No one wants to Being sentenced by other kids isn’t
go on trial in front of their friends. Youth scary.
scary. This is just another
another way of letting
letting
court also lets kids see how courts work. people
people who commit
commit crimes
crimes off
off easy.
easy. If
By serving on juries, they get a firsthand they do a real crime, put them in frontfront
understanding of Amer
American
ican justice.
justice . of a real jury.
Your Turn!
Talk About It:If you were a juror on a teen jury, do you think you would be easier or
harder
harder on the defendant than a regular judge? Why?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
21
Is space exploration worth

the money we spend on it?
Some say space exploration costs too much. Others say it’
it’s worth it.What
it. What do
you think?
Your best friend wants to be an astronaut. Every year,
year, NASA spends
spends about 14 billion
She’s really smart and she talks about space dollars on space exploration. Many people
all the time. One day she tells you that NASA feel this is a waste. They say this money
is sending a robot to Mars. She says it costs a should
should be spent on things here
here on Earth, like
lot of money. But she also says it’s worth it hospitals and schools.
because of the ways it will help science. You Other people think space exploration is
agree. Your
Your friend makes it all sound so excit- worth the money because it creates jobs and
ing. But the very next day your school contributes to science.
announces that,
that, due to government budget What do you think? Is space exploration
cuts, it is dropping
dropping the school orchestra
orchestra and
and worth the money?
football team. The principal says the school
can’t afford them. How do you feel now?
Space exploration is Put first things first!

worth every
every penny
penny.. It’s
It’s There are too many
not just a question of problems here on Earth
learning
learning about
about the universe.
universe. Space
Space to worry
worry about
about what’
what’ss in space.
space. Science
Science
exploration creates jobs and improves is important.
important. And every
everyone
one wants
wants to
lives.
lives. Many
Many of today’
today’ss new products
products are
are know more
more about
about the univ
universe.
erse. But
a direct result of space exploration. what do you tell people who don’t have
Space exploration has even led to enough food? When everyone
everyone has
important
important medical
medical discover
discoveries.
ies. Who enough to eat and can afford to see a
knows what else we will findf ind out there? doctor
doctor, then we can go into space. Until
We have to keep exploring space! then, we should
should wait.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Think of all the things that the government spends money
on. List three things that are more important than space exploration. List three
things that are less important.
50 Debate Prompts
35
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
22
If you find $100,

is it yours to keep?
Some people would keep
keep the money.
money. Others would try to give it back.What
back. What
would you do?
There’s a citywide bike race coming up and it’s enough to help you buy a decent bike.
you’re the best biker around. You’re definitely Your troubles are over! Or so you think.
faster than the kids in your neighborhood and Pretty soon you start to feel guilty. You
probably faster than the ones in the city. think maybe you should tell someone. And
There’s only one problem. You’re bike is old you imagine how unhappy the person who
and starting to fall apart. You’re convinced lost the money must be. You really want a
you need a new one to win the race. new bike. But could you live with yourself if
Then something crazy happens. You’re in you kept the money?
the park one day and you spot something. What would you do? Would you try to give
When you check it out,out, you discover
discover it’s a the money back?
wad of cash that totals $100. You can’t
believe it. With what you’ve saved already,
Giving the money back Are you kidding? Take

Take
is the only thing to
t o do. the money and run!
Everyone could use extra Anyone irresponsible
cash. And it wouldwould be temptin
temptingg to keep
keep enough to lose all that money doesn’t
it. But ifif it’s
it’s not
not yours,
yours, you should turn deserve
deserve it. Or they’
they’re
re so rich,
rich, they don’t
don’t
it over
over to the police.
police. Anywa
Anywayy, everyon
everyone e care. This is a dog-eat-dog world.You
world.You
would want to know where the money have
have to take
take what you
you can get.
get. Sure
Sure it’s
it’s
came from. You’d ou’d have to explain sad that someone lost all that money.
money.
sooner or later,later, and then some people But it would be just as sad if you had to
might be disappointed in your decision. give it
it back. The best thing
thing to do is keep
keep
quiet and enjoy your good luck.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: What if you lost money? Would you want someone to return
the money? Would you understand if someone did not want to return it?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
23
Some malls in America have

banned teens. Is this fair?
Teens say going to the mall is a right. But some malls say it’s
it’s a privilege. What do
you think?
I t’s Friday night and you’re going to a birth- drastic action because store owners and
day party. But you don’t have a present yet, customers complained that most kids were
so you and a friend make a quick trip to the disruptive. They said teens roamed around in
mall. But when
when you arrive,
arrive, a security guard
guard packs and intimidated people. Many other
tells you to leave. You tell him you haven’t malls are considering bans as well.
done anything
anything wrong, but it doesn’t matter.
matter. But some say bans like this are unfair.
unfair.
The mall has ordered a ban on teens! Opponents of the bans say they discriminate
This is really happening in Bloomington, against a whole group of people just because
Minnesota. Bloomington’s Mall of America of a few troublemakers.
recently banned kids under sixteen after 6:00 What do you think? Is a mall ban fair?
P.M. on weeke
weekends
nds,, unless
unless an
an adult
adult
accompanies them. Mall officials took this
Lots of kids go to malls This is a violation of

just to cause
cause trouble.
trouble. Bans kids’ rights! Kids spend
are a good way to keep money at malls just like
these
these kids under
under contro
control.l. Also,
Also, malls
malls are everyone else and they’re entitled to
private property
property.. That means theythey don’t
don’t equal
equal trea
treatment.
tment. Also,
Also, malls have
have
have to let in kids if they don’t want to. replaced the downtown area in many
Besides, kids spend tootoo much time at at the communitie
communities. s. Kids don’
don’tt have
have other
other
mall as it is.
is. They
They should
should be doing
doing places
places to go.
go. Anywa
Anywayy, it’s
it’s unfair to
something productive rather than punish all kids just because some of
wandering
wandering around
around malls
malls all day
day. Going to them cause
cause trouble.
trouble. There
There are other
other
malls is a privilege, not a right.
right. ways to deal with troublesome kids
besides a ban.
Your Turn!
Talk About It:
If malls aren’t allowed to ban teens, what can malls do to control
teen problems at the mall?
50 Debate Prompts
37
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
24
If you see someone cheating

on a test, should you tell?
Some kids would tell a teacher if they saw
saw someone cheating. Others would keep
quiet.What would you do?
You know cheating is wrong. And you’d want to be known as a rat. But you studied
never consider doing it. But what would you hard for this test. Why should this kid benefit
do if you caught someone else cheating? from your hard work?
work? Plus, if you don’t
don’t tell,
It would be a pretty easy question if you might get in trouble. If your teacher
someone stole your homework. You’d found out,
out, he might think
think you were in on it.
it.
probably tell your teacher. And if someone How would you handle it? If you saw a
was selling answers
answers to a test, you’d probably classmate
classmate cheating,
cheating, would
would you tell your
report it too. But what if you caught a teacher?
classmate taking a look at your answer sheet
during a test. Then what?
You don’t want to betray a classm
classmate
ate,, who
could get into a lot of trouble. You
You also don’t
Turn the cheater in! Don’t be a rat! Cheating

Cheating is totally unfair. is not right,
right, but kids should
should
Why should some kids learn to solve their own
work hard just so other kids can steals teal problems rather than always running to a
their answers? There should be no no free teacher.
teacher. It’s
It’s much better
better to talk to your
your
rides.
rides. If students
students want good
good grades,
grades, they classmat
classmate e yourself
yourself.. If you catch
catch someone
someone
should earn them, just like everyone
everyone looking at your
your work during
during a test, let the
else.
else. Beside
Besides,s, cheate
cheaters
rs need
need to be
be person know you noticed and want it to
stopped
stopped forfor their
their own
own good.
good. It may
may stop.
stop. If it doesn’
doesn’t,
t, then think
think abou
aboutt telling
telling
seem like nothing now,now, but eventually
eventually the teach
teacher er.. But until
until then,
then, you
you should
should
cheaters will wish they learned more in handle the problem on your own rather
school. than being a tattletale.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Write one reason why you should tell the teacher about a cheater.
cheater.
Write one reason why you might not.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
25
Are teen curfews a good thing?

Some people say
say that kids should be home at a certain time. Other people say
curfews violate kids’ rights.What do you think?
You’re at a friend’s house practicing for the result. These cities also say that with curfews
school play. You have a lot of lines to learn in place, fewer
fewer kids are victims
victims of crimes.
crimes.
and the play is in a few days. But you’re a But some people want to end these curfews.
hard worker. And you’re a good actor. And They say they
they are a violation
violation of kids’ rights,
your friend is willing to stay up late working especially since some kids have to stay out
with you. There’s just one problem. Your late because of school activities and jobs.
town has a curfew. You have to go home What do you think? Are curfews a good
early. idea?
All across America,
America, towns
towns are instituting
curfews for kids. Of the country’s 200 largest
cities, 146 already have
have curfews. Many of the
cities report drops in their crime rate as a
Everyone always talks Curfews are wrong,

about
about kids’
kids’ rights.
rights. What
What wrong, wrong! If you had
about the right to feel a curfew for
for adults, there’d
there’d
safe? Cities with curfews
curfews havhave
e less be less crime too.
too. But no one’s
one’s trying
crime. This make
makess life better
better for
for to keep
keep adults
adults at home
home at night.
night. Why
Why
everyon
everyone.
e. Anywa
Anywayy, why
why do kids
kids need to should kids be treated differently from
stay out late? They should be home adults?
adults? Besides,
Besides, lots of kids need
need toto be
doing their schoolwork instead of out late. They
They have
have school activities
activities and
cruising around.
around. A curfew
curfew will help
help jobs that end late. We should find other
kids focus on what’s
what’s important and ways of reducing crime.
keep them out of trouble.
Your Turn!
Find Out More: What are some things, instead of curfews
cur fews,, that cities and towns
can do to prevent problems?
50 Debate Prompts
39
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Is year-round school a good idea?

Some people say kids should go to school year-round.
year-round. Others say that’s
that’s too much
work for kids.What do you think?
What did you do on your summer vacation? summer vacations in the middle of winter!
About 5 percent of U.S. school kids today People who support year-round schooling
could not answer that question. Why? They say that kids learn more that way.
way. They say
go to school year-round. kids don’t forget what they learn over a long
These days,
days, year-round
year-round schedules
schedules are summer
summer break, and teachers
teachers spend less time
increasingly popular. Some schools lengthen reviewing old material.
the normal 180-day school year in order to Opponents say that year-round schooling
improve the students’ education. Other does little to boost learning. They say it takes
schools are in session 180 days
days a year,
year, but away a very important rest period for kids and
scatter three-week vacations throughout. And increases student and teacher burnout.
other schools teach kids in alternating What do you think? Is year-round schooling
shifts—that means some kids have their a good idea?
Summer vacation is For most

most kids, summer
summer
nothing more than a vacation is a much-needed
chance for kids to forget break
break.. But that
that’’s not to
everythin
everythingg they’ve
they’ve learned.
learned. Worse, it’s
it’s a say they
they aren’t
aren’t productive.
productive. They play play
chance for them to get into trouble. sports, go to camp
camp,, and participa
participate te in
Kids have too much free time as it is. things they can’t do during the school
They don’t need three months with year
year. More
More importantl
importantlyy, summer is the
nothing to do. Year-round
ear-round school best time
time for
for kids
kids to get
get jobs.
jobs. Most kids kids
improves
improves a kid’s
kid’s education, and gives have to work for their spending money
students something productive to do and to save
save for
for college.
college. If you keep
keep kids
over
over the summer
summer.. Keep themthem in school!
school! in school all summer,
summer, you’ll cut off their
chance to earn money.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: What are three positive things about year-round school?
What are three negative things?
te Pr omp t
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27
Should skateboarding be
banned in public places?
Some say skateboarding
skateboarding in public places is dangerous. Others say it’s
it’s not only fun
but a right.What do you think?
I t’s Saturday afternoon. You and your friends complain that there aren’t many other places
head to the park to ride your skateboards. But for kids to skate. Most communities don’t
when you arrive, a police officer
officer stops you. have skateboarding parks.
She says skateboarding has been banned in City officials say the bans are necessary
the park and tells you to leave. because skateboarders disrupt traffic and
These days,
days, lots of skateboar
skateboarders
ders are bother pedestrians. They also say that
finding themselves without a place to skate. skateboarding is extremely dangerous. Every
Cities and towns across the country have year, thousands of skateboarders injure
banned skateboarding in public places. Many themselves and others while skating in public
skateboarders think these bans are unfair. areas.
They say that skateboarding should be treated What do you think? Should skateboarding
the same as any other sport. They also be banned in public places?
Skateboarders have no Skateboarding

Skateboarding is no
respect for other people. more dangerous than
They
They cut off cars,
cars, bump anyth
anything
ing else.
else. Many
Many more
more
into people, and clog up sidewalks.
sidewalks. people get hurt on bikes every
every year and
Skateboarding is also dangerous.
dangerous. no one wants
wants to ban them.
them. Anywa
Anywayy,
Skaters can seriously injure themselves with practice and the right gear,
as well
well as other
other people.
people. Worse, if skateboar
skateboarding
ding is safe.
safe. Also,
Also, if kids
kids can’t
can’t
skateboarders hurt themselves on skate in public places,
places, where can can they
public
public property
property,, they could sue. Local skate? People should realize
realize that
that
communities just can’t take that risk. skateboarding is just another way for
kids to get exercise and have fun.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Make a list of three points that the two sides of this debate might
agree on.
50 Debate Prompts
41
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28
Should Olympic athletes

be tested for drugs?
Some say that Olympic athletes should be tested for
for drugs. Others say this is a
bad idea.What do you think?
“Faster
aster,, higher
higher,, strong
stronger”
er” is the Olympi
Olympicc athlete who competes is tested at least once,
motto. Some Olympic athletes will do any- and then may be subjected to more random
thing to run faster,
faster, jump higher,
higher, or be tests later.
stronger. Lots of times this means hard work, But some people think it’s the drug tests
discip
disciplin
line,
e, and sacrifice. Other
Other times,
times, it that go against the spirit of the Olympics.
means breaking the law. Some athletes take They say Olympic officials have become
performance-
performance-enhan
enhancing
cing drugs, like steroids,
steroids, police officers and that the tests are an
to improve their chances in a competition. invasion of privacy. But they say the worst
The International Olympic Committee thing is that sometimes the tests can be
believes that drug use goes against the spirit wrong.
of the Olympics. Because of this, they have
have What do you think? Does drug testing at
established a drug-testing program. Every the Olympics make sense?
Drug use among top Any athlete who tests

athletes has long been a positive for drugs is
probl
problem.
em. Without
Without drug banned from the games.
testing, Olympic competition would would be Drug tests are usually
usually accura
accurate.
te. But
about who uses the most drugs, not sometimes they show a positive result
about who trains hardest and has the even when an athlete is only using
best athletic
athletic skills. Athletes
Athletes who use something
something like
like allergy medicin
medicine.
e. When
performance-enhancing
performance-enhancing drugs are like that happens
happens at the Olympics, an
marathone
marathoners rs wearin
wearingg in-line
in-line skates.
skates. In innocent athlete is cheated out of the
other words,
words, using drugs is the same as dream of a lifetime. That’s
That’s not fair.
fair.
cheati
cheating.
ng. Plus,
Plus, drugs
drugs like
like steroid
steroidss can Unless the tests are
are foolproof,
foolproof, they
kill.
kill. Drug
Drug use has
has to be stopp
stopped.
ed. shouldn’t be used.
Your Turn!
Talk About It:How would you feel if you found out that your Olympic hero had won
because of performance-enhancing drugs?
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29
Should sports teams drop

Native American names?
Many Native Americans think these names are offensive. Other people say Native
Native
Americans are too sensitive.What do you think?
I magine you’re in charge of a famous sports the same.
team. The team has a colorful history and But not all sports teams have been willing
thousands of enthusiastic fans. Then one day to change.
change. In
In Mukwonag
Mukwonago, o, Wisconsin,
isconsin, for
someone tells you that your team’s name is instance, the high school
school refused to give
give up its
offensive. They ask you to change it. What name Warriors. The administration said they
do you do? were upholding school tradition and
A few years ago, the Miami Indian
Indian Tribe
Tribe supporting the fans of Mukwonago High.
asked Miami University of Ohio to change They also said that the name Warriors honors
its team’s name. The Miami Indians said the Native Americans
Americans and the role they have
name Redskins
Reds kins was insulting. Miami played in local history.
University agreed and changed its name to What do you think? Should sports teams
the Red Hawks
H awks . Other schools have done have to change their names?
Hello! Insulting a group Changing the names of

of people to protect a sports teams is unfair to
sports tradition is fans. Imagine
Imagine supporting
supporting a
ridiculous! These names make make people team for a number of years only to have
feel bad
bad and should
should bebe changed.
changed. It’s
It’s that its name
name change
changed.
d. Sports traditions
traditions are
are
simple. Anywa
Anywayy, changing
changing a team’
team’ss name important and should be protected.
is not that big a deal. It’s
It’s not like it Besides,
Besides, naming
naming sports teams after
would
would cause
cause them
them to lose.
lose. If the
the fans
fans Native
Native Americans
Americans is an honor
honor. If Native
Native
are really
really loyal, they’ll keep
keep coming to Americans feel insulted by names like
games even after the team’s name has Redskins and Warriors, they are
are being
being too
changed. sensitive.
Your Turn!
Find Out More: Make a list of all the teams that use Native American names.
names. Can
you come up with other names to use instead?
43
50 Debate Prompts
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30
Should celebrities be responsible

for the products they endorse?
If a celebrity endorses a product, should he or she be held responsible for how
how
it’s
it’s made? Some say yes.
yes. Others say no.
no. What do you think?
I magine you’re a famous basketball player. And,
And, accordi
according
ng to news
news reports,
reports, some
some
You play on a championship team, you’ve
you’ve got sneakers that have Jordan’s name on them
lots
lots of fans,
fans, and,
and, best
best of all,
all, someon
someonee is pay-
pay- were made by ten-year-old children in
ing you $10 million to put your name on a Indonesia.
pair of sneakers. Then one day you find out Many people are angry with Gifford and
the shoes you endorse are made by child Jordan for being involved
involved with companies that
laborers. How would you feel? Would you exploit children. Others aren’t upset. They
feel responsible? say that celebrities are paid to endorse just the
A couple of years ago Michael Jordan and product—not the way it’s made.
Kathy Lee Gifford faced this very problem. What do you think? Are celebrities
Some of Gifford’s line of clothes were made responsible for products they endorse?
by Honduran girls paid just 31 cents ana n hour.
Celebrities have a lot of Every person is

power in this country. responsible for his or her
People trust them and do own decisions. If pe people
what they say.
say. They should
should be held don’t like
like how a product
product is made, they
responsible for what they tell people to shouldn’
shouldn’tt buy it. Anywa
Anywayy, celebrities
celebrities have
have
do.
do. Anywa
Anywayy, celebrities
celebrities make
make millions
millions of nothing to do with where a product
dollars
dollars endorsing
endorsing product
products.s. The least comes from.
from. It’s
It’s the compani
companieses that
they can do is make sure these products make the products that are really
aren’
aren’tt made by
by children
children.. Celebrities
Celebrities responsibl
responsible.
e. Punishing
Punishing celebrities
celebrities will
should use their fame to help people, not change
change anything
anything.. If people
people want
want to
not just to make money. make a difference they should force
businesses to change.
Your Turn!
Talk About It: Are you more or less likely to buy a product that was endorsed by a
celebrity? Tell why.
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31
Should schools have dress codes?

Some teachers say say uniforms help students do well in school. Others say they
they spoil
kids’ creativ
creativity
ity.. Who do you think
think is right?
How would you feel if you arrived at school backgrounds. The stress of having the latest
one day wearing the exact same outfit as every- clothes can be intense. And not all kids can
one else? For some kids this happens every afford to keep up with the new fashions.
day. They go to schools where uniforms are Other schools have refused to adopt
mandatory. uniforms. These schools say that clothes offer
These days,
days, more and more schools
schools are kids and teens a healthy way to be creative.
making students wear uniforms. How come, Clothes help kids express their individuality.
you might ask. Well,
Well, teachers at these schools They also say that uniforms make students
say that uniforms help students to focus on their uncomfortable,
uncomfortable, which makes
makes it hard for
for them to
studies—rather than on their fashion dilemmas. study.
They also say that uniforms “level the playing What do you think? Should uniforms be
field” among students
students from different
different economic
economic required at school?
Give us us a break.
break. There’
There’s Are you kidding? Putting
too much competition on a tie doesn’t make
over clothing in schools someone any smarter.
today
today. Kids should
should focus
focus on their
their Uniforms only make kids uncomfortable;
schoolwork,
schoolwork, rather than on appearances.
appearances. they don’t turn kids into better students.
They should also be finding better ways More
More important,
important, uniforms
uniforms hinder free
to express
express their individuality
individuality.. Choosing a thinking
thinking and teach
teach kids to conform.
conform. The
sweater
sweater to wear
wear isn’t
isn’t creative.
creative. And solution to problems such as gang
there are bigger problems associated violence is to encourage kids to think for
with clothes
clothes.. Gangs
Gangs identify
identify themselv
themselves
es themselves, and to not follow
follow the crowd.
crowd.
by certain
certain colors
colors and
and symbols
symbols.. School
School Making kids wear uniforms teaches the
uniforms get rid of this problem. opposite lesson.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Why do you think some teachers would like dress codes for
students? Why do you think some parents don’t support dress codes?
50 Debate Prompts
45
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32
Should celebrities speak

out on political issues?
Some people think big stars should take
take a stand on issues. Others think they
should keep quiet.What do you think?
In 2000, Ricky
Ricky Martin urged
urged President
President should use their fame to do something good—
Clinton to halt military tests on an island off especially if it’s a cause they believe in.
Puerto Rico. Martin is just the latest celebrity But not everybody thinks celebrities should
to take a stand on a political cause. U2’s take a stand on political issues. Critics say
Bono has campaigned for international that celebrities have far too much influence.
human rights. The band Rage Against the Critics also say that big stars
star s often don’t know
Machine has crusaded against censorship. what they’re talking about. They say that
And Rosie O’Donnell has advocated singers and actors should leave political issues
increased gun control. for the experts to figure out.
Many celebrities feel they’re
they’re obliged to What do you think? Should celebrities
speak out on important issues because they speak out on political causes?
can reach a large audience. They think they
Celebrities have a lot of If celebrities want to be

power
power.. They
They should useuse it role
role models, they should
should
to do
do good
good things
things.. Since
Since work for charitable
their fans and the press will care about causes.
causes. Or they
they should donate
donate their
their
what they say,
say, celebrities have a duty to money to political groups.
groups. Too often,
publicly
publicly express
express their beliefs.
beliefs. Whether
Whether celebrities get involved in things they
celebrities like it or not, they are
are role don’t
don’t know anything
anything about.
about. And people
people
models.
models. They
They oweowe it to their
their fans to end up listening to them rather than
show some
some leadership
leadership.. And they
they owe it people who are truly experts on the
to the world to put their power to issues. Anywa
Anywayy, lots of
of celebritie
celebritiess just
good use. use political causes to improve
improve their
own public image.
Your Turn!
Find Out More: Make a list of celebrities who do speak out on issues.
issues. Have any of
these celebrities influenced your opinions?
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Should kids have to address

teachers as Ma’am
Ma’am and Sir?
Some people say
say using these titles is a sign of respect. Others say this is
is ridicu-
lous.What do you think?
M any educators and politicians in environment. More importantly,
importantly, they say it
Louisiana believe that students lack will lead to safer schools. They claim that the
respect for their teachers. To counteract this, lack of respect for officials has contributed to
the Louisiana government has passed a law violent acts in school.
requiring students to call their teachers But opponents argue that respect is more
Ma’am or Sir. Each school is responsible for complicated than requiring formal titles for
punishing students who break the rule. teachers. They claim respect grows from
However,
However, schools can neither suspend nor teachers and students working
working together,
together, and
expel these students. that rules handed down by the government
Legislators believe this law will instill hurt this cooperation.
discipline and respect in the classroom. They What do you think? Should students have
say that this will lead to a better learning to call their teachers Ma’am and Sir?
By requiring students to What kids don’t need is

speak with courtesy to a law telling them how to
their teachers,
teachers, you’ll have
have speak.
speak. What’s
What’s next?
next? A law
a better learning
learning enviro
environmen
nment.t. And isn’t
isn’t telling them how to think? Forcing
Forcing kids
that the goal
goal of school
school anyway?
anyway? Only to use Ma’am and Sir doesn’t create
when there is respect for teachers can respect. It only drives
drives kids and teachers
teachers
kids learn anything.
anything. If no one respects
respects farther apart, when they
they should be
the teachers, why would
would anyone
anyone listen working as a team. That’s
That’s where respect
to what they have to say? In addition, comes from.
from. Students
Students respec
respectt teachers
teachers
students who treat teachers with they trust and who provide help.
respect will learn to treat friends and
future employers in the same manner.
Your Turn!
Talk About It: What’s
What’s your opinion on this issue? Discuss your point of view with
others in your class.
class.
50 Debate Prompts
47
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Should laws be stricter

for teenage drivers?
Some people say
say that teen driving privileges should be restricted.
restricted. Others say that
teen drivers should have the same rights as everyone else.What do you think?
Picture this:
this: It’s
It’s your sixteen
sixteenth
th birthday
birthday,, and drivers “graduated” licenses. With
With this type of
after years of waiting you’re finally old enough license,
license, you earn privil
privileges
eges gradually. In
to drive. But after studying hard and passing the California,
California, for exampl
example,
e, for the
the first
first six
driver’s
driver’s test, you find out
out that having a license months
months of having your
your license,
license, you can’t
can’t
isn’t what you thought it would be. Your
Your driving drive after midnight unless you have an adult
privileges are totally restricted. You
You can’t drive in the car. And you’re also not allowed to
alone at night, or with other teens. Basically,
Basically, transport other teens.
you discover that if you want to drive any- Many people think graduated licenses are a
where, you have
have to go with
with your mom!
mom! good idea and that they’ll save lives.
lives. Other
Recently,
Recently, teenagers around the country
country people say that teens are being unfairly
have been having a similar experience. They targeted.What do you think? Should states
live in one of the 34 states that give teen give teens graduated licenses?
Too many teens die on Why should teens be

the road! Thirty-one discriminated against?
percent of all deaths of There are plenty of bad
people between the ages of fifteen and adult driver
driverss out there. Why doesn’
doesn’tt
twenty-four are caused by motor-vehicle anyone restric
restrictt their licenses? Teens are
accidents. Restricting teen driving being unfairly picked on, and their rights
privileges
privileges will reduc
reducee this.
this. It might
might not
not are definite
definitely
ly being
being violated.
violated. And
be the most popular
popular solution.
solution. But it’s
it’s graduated licenses will only cause
absolutely
absolutely necessa
necessaryry.. Kids just aren’
aren’tt problems for kids that have to work
mature enough to handle an adult late.
license.
license. The numbers
numbers pro prove
ve it!
Your Turn!
Talk About It: Are teen drivers more likely than older drivers to make mistakes?
Are teen drivers more likely to break the law?
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35
Should the paparazzi be banned?

Some people say
say the paparazzi should be banned. Others say that photographers
should be free to take pictures of whatever they want.What do you think?
In recent years,
years, a whole new
new generation
generation of teen why paparazzi will follow certain celebrities
idols has hit the scene. People like Ricky everywhere. Most obey the laws. But some
Martin,
Martin, Mandy Moore,
Moore, and Justin
Justin Timberlak
Timberlakee will sneak
sneak into
into celebrities’
celebrities’ houses,
houses, stalk them
have all found fame and fortune in the world of on the beach,
beach, and even
even chase them
them in cars.
movies and pop music. Their lives have become Many people think the paparazzi ought to be
pretty exciting since they made it big. But there stopped. People say they violate celebrities’
is also a price to fame. And among the most right to privacy
privacy,, and are also dangerous.
annoying aspects of celebrity are the paparazzi. The paparazzi say they’re only giving
Paparazzi (pa-pa-ROT-zee)
(pa-pa-ROT-zee) are photo- people what they want. They also say that
graphers who make a living by selling their work is what makes celebrities famous
pictures of celebrities. The better and rarer the in the first place.What do you think? Should
picture,
picture, the more money
money they make.
make. This is the paparazzi be banned?
Celebrities are people The paparazzi are not at

too! They have
have a right to fault. They’
They’re
re only
only giving
privacy just like everyone people what they want.
else. The paparaz
paparazzi
zi violate
violate this right
right and Celebrities benefit from lots of press
they should be stopped. It might be and the public loves the pictures.
different if they weren’t so aggressive . Anyway
Anyway, there are already laws
laws in place
But they’ll do really dangerous things to to protect celebrities from the
get the shots that sell for the most aggressive paparazzi—it’s already illegal
money
money. This is not about
about limiting
limiting to sneak into someone’s
someone’s house to take
freedom
freedom of speech.
speech. This is about
about pictures
pictures of them. Why banban all paparazzi?
paparazzi?
stopping greed and respecting privacy. Just go after the ones that break
break the law.
law.
Ban the paparazzi!
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: How would you feel if someone took a picture of you after
you asked them not to? Would
Would you take a picture
picture of a friend who told you not to?
50 Debate Prompts
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36
Do teens have too much to do?

Some people say that teens have
have too much to do.
do. Others suggest that busy
schedules prepare teens for the real world.What do you think?
H ere’s a schedule you might recognize: mental health can be seriously damaged.
Wake up at 5:30 A.M. Finish up homework. But other people say a busy schedule is
Go to school for six hours. Head to sports good for teens. They claim that keeping busy
practice. Baby-sit or flip burgers until 8:00 teaches teens about the real world and
P.M. Go home. Wolf down dinner. Practice prepares them for the future.
f uture. They also say
piano. Do more homework. Hit the pillow at that having lots of activities keeps teens out of
midnight. trouble.
Too much? Some people think so. Parents What do you think? Is it possible for teens
and teachers around the country are saying to do too much?
that schedules like this are way too full for
young people. They say that without
sufficient downtime a teen’s physical and
This has nothing to do This is just another

with laziness! This is argument in defense of
about priorities and laziness.
laziness. It’s
It’s a hard
hard world,
world,
realistic expectations.
expectations. Teens are
are so busy and the sooner teens accept this, the
these days that they can’t focus on the better.
better. The more
more they workwork nownow, the
things that are really important—like less difficult it will be for them to deal
being healthy and happy! Good grades with the
the stressful
stressful world
world of adults.
adults. Life
are important.
important. So areare sports
sports and part- isn’t going to get any easier. Sheltering
time jobs. But teens still need time to teens from hard work won’t help
relax and have
have fun, just like everyone
everyone anything
anything.. People
People who thinkthink differ
differently
ently
else. are fooling themselves.
Your Turn!
Write Now: How much do you do? Write a paragraph describing your own schedule.
Explain why you might want to add to or cut back on it.
te Pr omp t
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37
If you find a historical treasure,

does it belong to you?
Some people say that sunken
sunken treasure belongs in museums. Others say that trea-
sure belongs to the people who find it.What do you think?
H ow would you feel if you went scuba-diving professional
professional treasure
treasure hunters, or salvors,
salvors,
and
and foun
foundd sunken treasure—pieces of gold spend a lifetime looking for treasure that most
from a lost Spanish ship? Probably pretty people don’t even believe exists. They study
excited. How would you feel if the coast old books and maps for years. They go into
guard made you turn the treasure over to a debt. They even risk their lives. Now courts
museum? You might feel kind of gypped. But are making them give what they find to
you also might feel good. Everyone would be museums. The courts say that lost treasure is
able to appreciate your discovery if it were in historically important and belongs to
a museum. everyone.
But how would you feel if finding the What do you think? Should courts let
treasure wasn’t an accident? What if you salvors keep the lost treasure they find?
were a professional treasure hunter? Many
Salvors do the work Treasure hunters need

and take
take the risks. They
They to be stopped! Historical
should get the rewards!
rewards! artifacts belong to
Most of the stuff they find would be lost everyone and not just to the first guy
forev
forever
er if it weren
weren’t
’t for
for them.
them. If they who happe
happensns to find them.
them. And
can’t keep
keep the treasure theythey find, they’ll museums are much too poor to buy the
stop looking.
looking. Anyway
Anyway,, when salvo
salvors
rs sell artifac
artifacts
ts at an auctio
auction.
n. Plus,
Plus, treas
treasur
ure
e
their treasure,
treasure, they auction it off to the hunters
hunters do a lot
lot of damage.
damage. They’ll
They’ll stop
highest
highest bidder
bidder.. If museums
museums want
want the at nothing to get gold and silver.
silver. They
treasure, they can buy it just like
like anyone
anyone often destroy historical sites and even
else. the environment because of their greed.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Imagine that you are a treasure hunter who has just found
a valuable object off the U.S. coast. What would you say in a speech to congress?
50 Debate Prompts
51
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
38
Should surveillance cameras

be used in schools?
Some schools are installing surveillance cameras to keep kids safe.
safe. But lots of
people say this is a bad idea.What do you think?
These days,
days, you can find
find surveillance cam- suspects in crimes. They also say security
eras everywhe
everywhere.re. They’r
They’ree at the mall, on cameras might even boost grades because
street corners,
corners, and inin libraries.
libraries. Now,
Now, these students work best in safe environments.
cameras may be coming to the classrooms Other people say that cameras violate kids’
and hallways of your school. After the right to privacy
privacy.. Furthermore, they claim that
that
tragedy at Columbine High School in 1999, cameras are a waste of money.
money. For a single
many schools across the country have been school, installing a camera system can cost
increasing security. And this has included almost $1 million. Many people think this
placing surveillance cameras in school hall- money would be better spent on educational
ways, parking
parking lots,
lots, and even
even on
on buses.
buses. material.
Administrators think the cameras will What do you think? Should surveillance
reduce theft, prevent
prevent violence,
violence, and identify
identify cameras be used in public schools?
Schools can be School safety is

danger
dangerous
ous places
places.. School
School importa
important.nt. But it
it doesn’
doesn’tt
officials need to do justify violating kids’ rights.
whatever they can to keep students Besides, there are
are much better solutions
safe—even
safe—even if this means giving up some than cameras.
cameras. Why
Why not take the the money
freedoms
freedoms.. Surveillanc
Surveillance e cameras
cameras are
are the for a new surveillance system and start
best way
way to catch
catch crimina
criminals.
ls. Better
Better still, programs
programs to help
help trouble
troubled d kids.
kids. One
they discourage people from committing million dollars could pay for job training
crimes
crimes in the first place.
place. Anywa
Anywayy, privacy
privacy and after
after-schoo
-schooll activities.
activities. Catching
Catching
is not really
really endangered.
endangered. Tapes from troublemakers
troublemakers in the act doesn’t solve
cameras are usually not even watched anything
anything.. What kids need
need are reason
reasonss to
unless a crime has occurred. not start trouble in the first place.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Imagine surveillance cameras are used in your school. Do students and
teachers feel the same way about the cameras?
cameras? Write a news story about
student and teacher reaction to the cameras.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
39
Should moshing be
allowed at concerts?
Some say moshing at concerts is dangerous. Others say it’
it’ss safe.What
safe. What do you
think?
You’re at a concert. The place is packed and moshing. Why? Because unruly concerts can be
the music is loud. This is what you live for. very dangerous. In the past five
five years, 49 people
You make your way to the front of the crowd. have died and nearly 22,000 people have been
You know that the real action is by the stage. injured at concerts in the United States. The
But when you arrive,
arrive, everyone is just stand- moshing fad explains a lot of the injuries.
ing around. No one is bumping into one But for many
many music fans,
fans, not being
being able to
another. No one is crowd surfing or stage div- mosh takes the fun out of concerts. They also
ing. And then you see the big line of security claim moshing isn’t the problem and that it
guards.
guards. At this concert,
concert, moshing
moshing is not shouldn’t be blamed when crowds get out of
allowed! control.
This is a common story these days. Many What do you think? Should moshing be
bands and concert promoters are saying no to allowed at concerts?
No mosh,
mosh, no fun.
fun. Moshers are obnoxious
Going to a concert and really dangerous.
without moshing is like They ruin concerts for
going to a restaurant without eating. everyone else. You can’t
can’t get close to the
Besides, moshing is not that dangerous.
dangerous. stage without someone jumping on you
It’s
It’s high-energy
high-energy dancing.
dancing. That’s
That’s it. or knocking
knocking you
you over
over.. And moshing
There’s plenty of things that are much always
always leads to fights. Sooner or later,
later,
more risky than
than moshing
moshing.. Like
Like playin
playingg someone gets pushed too hard and they
football.
football. More
More kids
kids get injured
injured on a start punching.
punching. Anywa
Anywayy, it’s
it’s not like
like
football field than
than in a mosh pit, but no moshing is the only way to enjoy a
one wants to ban football. concert.
concert. There
There are plenty
plenty of ways
ways to
dance without hurting other people.
Your Turn!
Talk About It: Would you be nervous at a concert where kids were moshing? Or
would you join in? What might you do to protect yourself?
50 Debate Prompts
53
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
40
Should school newspapers

be censored?
In schools all across the county,
county, teachers and principals regularly censor school
newspapers.
newspapers. Do you think this
this is fair?
Picture this: You’re working on a story for newspapers and that teachers have a
your school newspaper. You’ve done lots of responsibility to supervise them. The
research,
research, conducted
conducted interviews
interviews,, and dug up Supreme
Supreme Court
Court agrees.
agrees. In 1988, it said,
said, “A
all the right information. After lots of careful school need not tolerate student speech that is
analysis,
analysis, you finally
finally come
come up with conclusive inconsistent with its basic educational
proof:
proof: The cafeteria
cafeteria food is terrible!
terrible! But just mission.”
as you’re
you’re about to publish
publish your article, the Still, lots of people
people disagree with this.
this. They
principal steps in. He says you can’t run the say that censorship is always wrong,
wrong, even in
piece. Why? Because he thinks it makes the the case of a school newspaper.
school look bad. Is this fair? What do you think? Should school officials
Many people say it is. They say school censor school newspapers?
newspapers are different from real
Student journalists need Principals and teachers

guidance.
guidance. They don’
don’tt have
have have no right to censor
enough experience to be school newspapers—one
in charge of a newspaper all by of the few places kids have to voice their
themselves
themselves.. They
They could say
say things that
that opinions. If you
you censor
censor the newspaper
newspaper,,
are offensive
offensive or mean.
mean. Worse, they you tell kids they have no right to
could write something
something that is false.
false. If expres
expresss opinions.
opinions. An
Anywa
ywayy, the main
this happens and the story hurts reason schools censor their newspapers
someone,
someone, the school
school will
will be sued,
sued, not is because they have something to hide.
the reporter
reporter.. School
School newspapers
newspapers areare With censorship,
censorship, schools can do do
just not the same as real newspapers.
newspapers. whatever
whatever they want. A free press holds
people responsible for their actions.
Your Turn!
Consider Both Sides: Why might some people want school papers censored?
censored? Why
would others be against it?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
41
Should paddling be used

to punish students?
students?
Lots of people say
say kids should be paddled if they step out of line. Others say this
is wrong.What do you think?
Two students get into a bad fight at school. violence by teaching kids to use it to solve
There’s a broken nose, two knocked-out
knocked-out their problems. These people also say that
teeth, and a black eye.
eye. What should
should their
their pun- paddling hurts a student emotionally.
emotionally. They
ishment be? In some schools in the United say spanking can ruin students’ self- esteem
States,
States, the punishmen
punishmentt would be a “good old-
old- and turn teachers into enemies.
fashioned”
fashioned” spanking.
spanking. Currently
Currently,, 23 states But other people think that paddling is the
allow school officials to paddle students. only way to teach students that their behavior
Some people estimate school officials paddle has real consequences. They say paddling is
kids between 1 and 2 million times a year in far more frightening than detention.
U.S. schools. What do you think? Should schools paddle
Many people say this should stop. They say students to punish them?
that paddling
paddling increases,
increases, rather than reduces,
reduces,
Paddling may be a tough Are you serious?

punishment
punishment,, but some Paddling is cruel and
students just won’t listen. inhumane and should be
Paddling is the only way to get through totally
totally illegal.
illegal. It teaches
teaches student
studentss that
to them.
them. Suspending
Suspending students
students doesn’
doesn’tt violence is a good way to solve their
work.
work. It just give
givess them da
days off from
from problems.
problems. What else else is paddling
paddling but
but a
school
school.. Beside
Besides,s, kids
kids are much
much bett
better
er form of physical violence? Paddling is
off in the long run if they get paddled. also completely embarrassing and
Severe punishment now means less damages the self-image of the student.
trouble later in life. Schools should have other forms of
punishment.
punishment. Padd Paddling
ling should be banned
banned!!
Your Turn!
Talk About It:
What means of control, other than paddling, can teachers use in
the classroom?
50 Debate Prompts
55
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
42
Would you give up certain luxuries

to save the environment?
environment?
Cars and air conditioners cause pollution. Some people say we should give them
up. Others say
say we shouldn’t.
shouldn’t.What
What do you think?
Your dad is driving you crazy. It seems like it’s important to conserve energy. Hello!
he doesn’t care about the environment at all. We’re talking about your very own car.
He doesn’t recycle, he runs
runs the air
air condition
condition-- Whatever
Whatever you decide,
decide, you can be sure that
er continuously, and he he puts
puts chemicals
chemicals on you’re not the only one facing this problem.
the lawn. What’
What’ss worse, he laughs when you These days, everyone struggles with the fact
tell him that these things harm the planet. that everyday products can damage the
Then one day he tells you he has a surprise. environment. But what’s the solution? Should
He says that he’s bought you an early birth- people have to give up things they want and
day present. It’s a gorgeous, but gas-guzzling,
gas-guzzling, need to save the environment?
sports car.
Do you accept it? You
You know that cars
car s are a
major source of pollution. And you know that
People think that their People should relax and

actions don’t
don’t matter,
matter, but it stop being so pessimistic.
all adds
adds up.
up. When millions
millions Earth has been around for
of people run air conditioners and drive a long
long time. Cars and air air conditio
conditioners
ners
cars alone, it wastes energy
energy and pollutes aren’
aren’tt going to destroy
destroy it. Anywa
Anywayy, what
the air.
air. The environment
environment must come some call comforts and conveniences
conveniences are
first. It doesn’t
doesn’t matter
matter what
what we hav
have
e to really
really necessities.
necessities. Imagine
Imagine living
living in
in
give
give up.
up. Anywa
Anywayy, what seems
seems essential
essential Phoeni
Phoenix, x, Arizon
Arizona,
a, without
without an air
often isn’t.
isn’t. For instance,
instance, people
people can
can take
take conditioner,
conditioner, or in rural Nebraska without
buses instead
instead of driving.
driving. Or,
Or, they can a car.
car. Environ
Environmenta
mentalists
lists should
should
wear lighter clothing instead of turning understand that there are some things
on the air conditioner. people can’t live without.
Your Turn!
Write Now:Make a list of the things you enjoy that might be harmful to the
environment. Are there any you could use less—or stop using altogether?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
43
Should students have to do

volunteer work to graduate?
Some people think that passing all your classes is enough of a reason to graduate.
What do you think?
Home
omework
work,, spor
sports
ts,, frien
friends
ds,, chor
chores
es,, some
some-- volunteer work to graduate.
times even a job—it’s amazing that kids can Some parents and students think this is
fit it all in.
in. Well,
Well, guess what? Some sudents unfair.
unfair. They say that teens already have
have a new after-school responsibility—vol- enough to do. It’s fine if teens want to
unteer work. volunteer,
volunteer, but they shouldn’t be forced to do
One teen works at an old-age home. it. Others say it’s good for teens to do
Another reads books to the blind. Other volunteer work. Learning to help others is
students volunteer at a homeless shelter. Are educational.
they doing it out of the goodness of their What do you think? Should doing volunteer
hearts? Not really. They have to do it if they work be a requirement to graduate?
want to graduate fromfr om school. Across the
country
country,, students
students are being required to do
Volunteering is great! Having to do volunteer

Every teen should become work isn’t volunteering at
involved. When
When teenteenss all. Volunteer
olunteer work
work should
work in the community,
community, they learn things not be
be a part ofof schoolw
schoolwork.
ork. Many
Many
they could never learn in the classroom. students don’t have time to volunteer.
Working at a homeless shelter or reading They are too busy with homework
homework and
to the blind teaches kids to appreciate activities.
activities. There’
There’ss plenty of time to
the good
good things
things they
they hav
have
e in life.
life. It also volunteer
volunteer once
once you’
you’re an adult.
adult. Besides,
Besides,
teaches them compassion. Besid esides
es,, there are lots of kinds of volunteering.
what could be more important than Many teens volunteer at home—
helping other people? Volunteering is babysi
babysittin
tting,
g, cookin
cooking,g, and cleani
cleaning.
ng. No
important—and it improves your life. forced volunteering!
Your Turn!
Write Now: Make a list of two to three places where you would like to be a
volunteer.
volunteer. What kinds of things could you do if you volunteered at these places?
50 Debate Prompts
57
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
44
Should schools named for slave

owners be renamed?
Many schools named after slave
slave owners are
are changing their names. Do you think
this is a good idea?
I n the past five
five years,
years, the school
school board in Charles Richard Drew
Drew, a famous African-
New Orleans has changed the names of 22 American surgeon.
schools. Why? Because the board opposes But some people think this is going too far.
schools that were named for anyone who did They agree schools shouldn’t support things
not respect equal rights for all. like slavery.
slavery. But they also think that people
The problem is that some of these schools like George Washington deserve to be
were named for some pretty famous people. remembered.
remembered. After all,
all, they say,
say, he did make
The list includes important war heroes and major contributions to our country.
political leaders. George Washington
Washington was How do you feel? Should all schools named
even on the list because he was a slave owner! for slave owners be renamed?
So the New Orleans school board renamed
George Washington
Washington Elementary for Dr.
We should not honor No one’s supporting

anyone who owned a slavery
slavery by naming a school
slave.
slave. If a schoo
schooll is named
named after George Washington.
after a person who owned a slave, slave, the He was a slave owner,
owner, and that was
name should
should be changed.
changed. It doesn’
doesn’tt wrong
wrong.. But he
he was also
also our
our first
first
matter who it is. Naming schools
schools after
after president and the leader of the
slave
slave owners sends a terrible message American
American Revolutio
Revolution.
n. That’s
That’s what
to kids.
kids. It tells
tells them that people
people today
today people are honoring when they name a
don’t care
care about the pain that some of school
school after
after him.
him. Schools
Schools should
should teach
our American ancestors suffered in kids about the horror of slavery in social
slavery. studies
studies classes. They
They shouldn’t
shouldn’t worry
worry
about changing school names.
Your Turn!
Talk About It:Why do you think some people may feel strongly about this issue?
How do you feel about it? Share it with others in your class.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
45
Should doctors transplant pigs’

organs into human bodies?
Some people think doctors should use pigs’ organs to save
save human lives. Others
think this is a bad idea.What do you think?
Doctors can now save lives by temporarily could introduce new diseases to humans.
transplanting pig organs into human bodies. Many people also think that killing animals
Pigs’ organs are similar in size
size and weight to for their organs is a violation of animals’
human organs. That’s why they function well rights.
in humans. Companies are now even cloning People in favor of the transplants say that
pigs for this purpose. The pig clones were the risks for disease are
ar e minimal. They also
developed for organs that are compatible claim that animal rights are just not important
with human bodies. Within the next year, when a human being is dying.
there may even be a permanent pig-to-human What do you think? Should doctors put
organ transplant! pigs’ organs
organs in human bodies?
bodies?
But some people say we shouldn’t pursue
these transplants. They fear the pigs’ organs
This is a no-brainer! Humans might get

There are 180,000 people deadly viruses from pig-
worldwide waiting for organ
organ tran
transpl
splant
ants.
s. Some
Some
organ
organ transplan
transplants.
ts. Many of these
these people
people scientists think that diseases like Mad
will die
die waiting
waiting for
for an organ.
organ. If pig Cow Disease could come into the
organs were
were used, many more
more lives human population through contact with
would be saved.
saved. We can’t
can’t let skeptics animals.
animals. Who knows
knows what kinds
kinds of new
new
and animal rights advocates hold us diseases
diseas es pigs could give us? Anyway,
Anyway,
back. Scientists should keep
keep working
working animals are not simply tools to be used
hard to develop better transplanting and abused
abused as humans
humans see fit. They
They have
have
procedur
procedures.
es. It’s
It’s a matter of life and
and rights
rights too.
too. Putting
Putting animals’
animals’ organs
organs in
death. human bodies should not be allowed!
Your Turn!
Talk About It: If someone you know needed a transplant, how would you feel about
the use of pigs’ organs.
50 Debate Prompts
59
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
46
Should male and female training

in the military be separate?
Some people think that men and women in the armed services should be trained
separately.
separately. Others say they should be trained together.
together. What do you think?
These days,
days, more and more
more women
women are join- expanding this policy.
policy. The panel wants to
ing the military. There are nearly 200,000 separate men and women in the army,
army, navy,
navy,
women already enlisted. Women in the mili- and air force training programs as well.
tary can do almost anything
anything,, including
including flying
flying Some people believe that separating men
combat planes. The only jobs women are and women during training makes them better
excluded from are ground combat and sub- soldiers. They also say it reduces problems
marine duty. like sexual harassment. But other people say
Even so, the issue
issue of women in the military
military that separating men and women shows that
is far from settled.
settled. In the marines,
marines, men and women are not being treated equally.
women are separated during basic training. What do you think? Should male and
Recently
Recently,, a panel
panel appointed by Defense female military training be separate?
Secretary William S. Cohen proposed
Face facts! Men and We live in a society

women are different. where men and women
Separating them during are
are equal.
equal. Separa
Separatintingg men
basic training
training is a good idea. If men and
and and women during basic training totally
women areare separated, they won’t
won’t contradict
contradictss that.
that. If they
they don’t
don’t train
become involved
involved with each other together,
together, how will men and women
women
romantically.
romantically. And bigger
bigger problems
problems like learn to work together? Segregating
Segregating
sexual harassment would be reduced to men and women would be a definite
zero.
zero. With separate
separate training,
training, the step
step backwar
backwards.
ds. Beside
Besides,
s, hasn’
hasn’tt our
military can focus on preparing recruits
recruits nation already learned that separate is
for battle rather than baby-sitting them. not equal?
Your Turn!
Write Now: Why does separate training make sense? Why might it not be a good
idea?
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
47
Should girls have

their own schools?
Some people say girls should have
have their own schools. Others say they ought to be
educated with boys.What do you think?
These days,
days, people
people are still working
working hard to class president
president,, the captain
captain of the soccer team,
make sure men and women are treated equal- and even the editor of the yearbook are all
ly. It’s true that the United States has laws to girls. How did this happen? After the 1992
protect that equality. But sometimes those study,
study, several states started all-girls schools.
laws aren’t enough. This is especially true in Supporters of these schools say this type of
American schools. A 1992 study showed that environment
environment works. They say these schools
schools consistently shortchange girls. Girls ensure that girls have plenty of opportunities.
are less active in school politics than boys. Opponents say that all-girls schools give a
They participate in sports less than boys do. false impression of what the real world is
And they achieve less in school. like.
But in some parts
parts of the United
United States, the What do you think? Should girls have their
opposite is true. In several
several public schools, the own schools?
All-girls schools are a This

This is a rotte
rotten n idea.
idea. It’s
It’s
great
great idea.
idea. There’
There’ss true that girls aren’t
aren’t
scientific proof that always
always treated
treated fairly
fairly. And
teachers pay more attention to boys that has to
to change.
change. But sexism
sexism is notnot
than to girls.
girls. With nono boys
boys around
around,, girls going to go away just by having all-girls
get the attention
attention they
they deserve.
deserve. And it’sit’s schools.
schools. Girls should be exposed
exposed to the
easier for them to participate in school pressures
pressures they will face in the real
activi
activitie
ties.
s. Plus,
Plus, in single-s
single-sex
ex schools
schools girls
girls world. That’s
That’s the only
only way
way they’ll learn
are free from social pressures and can to deal
deal with challen
challenges.
ges. If girls don’t
don’t go
concentrate on learning. to school with boys, they’re
they’re not going to
be prepared for real life when they
graduate.
Your Turn!
Find Out More: Take a poll in your class. How many are in favor? How many are
against?
50 Debate Prompts
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
48
Should kids learn riflery in schools?

Some people say
say guns have
have no place at schools. Others say that
that riflery should be
treated like any other sport.What do you think?
Across the country
country,, schools
schools are beefing up is over for good. Many of the schools that
their security. They want to make sure that no have riflery are now banning it. People like
one’s
one’s bringing anything dangerous to Chicago Schools Chief Paul Vallas
Vallas say that
school—especially guns. riflery sends a mixed message to kids.
But some schools in the United States Schools tell kids that gun violence is wrong,
w rong,
actually own
own guns, and keep them in their but then schools teach kids how to shoot.
buildings. What’s more, they let students
students use Other people think it’s unfair to ban a safe
them! How come? Believe
Believe it or not,
not, many sport that many kids enjoy
e njoy.. They say riflery
schools have riflery teams. The teams learn to should be treated like any other activity.
activity.
use the guns at school, and practice shooting What do you think? Should schools ban
rifles on school grounds. rifle teams?
For some
some teams,
teams, howev
however,
er, shooting
shooting practice
practice
Guns have no place at The right to bear arms

school! It doesn’t matter is protected by the
what they’re for.
for. You can’t constit
constituti
ution.
on. No oneone has
has
teach kids not to play with guns one day, the power
power to
to violate
violate that right.
right. It’s
It’s that
and then let them use them the next. simple. Anywa
Anywayy, the problem
problem of violence
violence
And what if a dangerous person signs up doesn’t have anything to do with guns.
for riflery? Is it a good idea to teach It has to do with kids who havehave serious
this person how to use a gun? Riflery mental
mental problem
problems. s. People
People should
should spend
can’t be treated like “any other sport.” more time addressing the needs of kids
What makes it different? Hello! It rather than trying to ban a healthy and
involves dangerous weapons! exciting activity.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Write a paragraph that explains your feelings about riflery.
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
49
Should the United States be

the world’s
world’s police force?
force?
Some people say
say the United States should help other nations. Others say that
that
the world’s problems are none of our business.What do you think?
L et’s say you have a friend in a far-off coun- The United States has decided not to help stop
try. One day she sends you a letter that says the war. The government says it’s none of our
she can’t write to you anymore. At first you business. How do you feel?
don’t understand. But as you continue to Many people would argue this decision
read, you discover
discover the reason.
reason. A war has bro- makes sense. These people say that the United
ken out in her country. States just can’t solve everyone else’s
This is the worst news you’ve ever received. problems. Others say the United States must
You’re worried for your friend. You start help those
those in need, no matter
matter what. They
They say
watching the news every night to see what’s we just can’t abandon people.
happening. It’s the most horrifying thing What do you think? Should the United
you’ve ever seen. Then one day the news States be the world’s police force?
reports something completely unbelievable.
unbelievable.
People need our help. We can’t even solve our

All you have to do is turn own
own probl
problems
ems.. How
How can
can
on the television to see we help other people?
people who are starving or getting shot Our country needs
needs new schools, new
at. The United
United States
States is the
the richest
richest hospitals,
hospitals, and a bigger
bigger police
police force.
force. We
country
country in the
the worl
world.
d. It has mor
more e can’t pour money into other countries
money and a bigger military than any until we’ve taken care of these things
other country
country.. There
There are all sorts of first. Anywa
Anywayy, the world
world has
has too many
things we can do to solve the world’s problems
problems to solve.
solve. If we tried to fix
problems. To sit back and do nothing is everyone else’s problems we’d be broke
unthinkable. in a week.
Your Turn!
Talk About It: Why might some countries need help from the United States?
50 Debate Prompts
te Pr omp t
D e ba t
50
Should teens have their

own credit cards?
Some say credit cards are
are just for adults. Others think that kids should get them
too.What do you think?
L et’s say you really want a new portable CD have the
the money for something you need, you
player but you don’t quite have the cash. can buy it anyway. You’ll just pay for it later.
Here’s
Here’s the good news:
news: Someone
Someone agrees to But this convenience has a price. If you plan
lend you the money. But there’s a catch. You to buy now
now and pay later,
later, you’ll be paying
have to pay them back extra. And the longer very high interest. That means you’ll be
you take
take to pay them back, the more you’llyou’ll paying extra for anything you buy.
buy.
owe. You could even end up owing double Many people think credit cards are too
what you borrowed! Would
Would you taketa ke the much responsibility for teens. Others think
loan? Believ
Believee it or not, teens all across
across that they should have the same rights as any
America are getting loans just like this. How? other consumer.
That’s how credit cards work! What do you think? Should teens be
Credit cards can be useful. If you don’t allowed to have their own credit cards?
Credit cards let you do It’s hard enough for

all sorts
sorts of thing
things.
s. They
They adults to keep track of
make it easy to buy things their
their credi
creditt card.
card. Many
Many
over
over the
the phone.
phone. If they
they get lost or adults get in big trouble with their
stolen, they’re
they’re easier to replace than credit-ca
credit-card
rd debts. It would
would only
only be
cash.
cash. Plus,
Plus, a credit
credit card
card keep
keepss track
track of worse
worse for teens.
teens. Most kidskids don’t
don’t make
make
your spending—it’s a good way to stay enough money to pay back their debt
on budget.
budget. And if you’
you’re
re caref
careful,
ul, you’ll
you’ll on time. Teach kids about savings
savings and
never
never have
have to pay
pay interest.
interest. Credit
Credit cards
cards buying things with the money they
are useful in today’s world and teens have—not the money they’re going to
should have them too. have.
Your Turn!
Write Now: Make a list of good reasons for teens to have credit cards. Make a
second list of reasons why it is a bad idea.

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50 Debate

Prompts for Kids

New York Toronto London Auckland Sydney

Cover design by Josué Castilleja

Copyright © 2001 by Patrick Daley and Michael

22. If you find

Using Debates in the Classroom

Gather Gather information

Explore Explore all sides of an issue

Form Form an initial opinion

Defend Defend the position in a debate

Refine Refine opinion through knowledge gained in the debate

Independent and/or Paired Reading

1. Should animals be advocat

4. Should beaches dominate to control by force

10. Should coats made companion a friend

11. Should boxing be end

19. Should the govern- censor to block out

20. Are teen juries a accused (n.) defendant in a legal case

22. If you find

24. If you see someone benefit (v.) to receive help from

26. Is year-round school alternate (v.) to take turns

27. Should skateboard- disrupt to interrupt

28. Should Olympic establish to put into place

29. Should sports enthusiastic to be very excited about

30. Should celebrities decision a judgment or conclusion

dilemma a choice between two equal options

32. Should celebrities influence to effect

33. Should kids have counteract to work against

34. Should laws be gradually slowly

35. Should the aggressive strong-willed

priority something that is more important than other things

37. If you find a artifact an object of historical interest

41. Should paddling be esteem to respect and admire

42. Would you give up continuously without interruption

44. Should schools deserve to earn something

46. Should male and appoint to name someone to a position or group

impression a taste of; a suggestion

bear (v.) to carry something

49. Should the United abandon to leave or give up on someone or something

50. Should teens have consumer a person who buys things

Learning New Words

Before and After

Part 2: After reading

Part 3: After reading

Looking at Both Sides

Should animals be used

Hardly anyone dies of Animals have feelings,

Should cell phones and

Banning cell phones is What does a kid need a

In disasters like the sinking of the

It’s a fact—women and The whole idea of

Should beaches have rules?

Rules are a good idea. The beach is a place to

Should people be allowed to go

Barefoot people should Feet are dirty and they

Should gun makers pay

Gun violence is a big People should be

Should people lose their jobs

Should children be allowed

People who want to All beauty pageants are

Should student athletes have to

School is about learning. Sports and grades havehave