20 Sample Discussions

Debates

The debates They are communicative events in which two or more people give their opinion on a topic. In discussions, ideas and opinions are first argued and then an agreement or compromise has to be reached on the issue.

The debates are usually oral, but they can also be written and take place on television programs, in schools, in universities, in parliaments, among others.

Speakers, a mediator and sometimes an audience participate in these events. Speakers are the people who first give their opinion on the topic and then use persuasive arguments and resources to convince the other participants and to convince the audience.

These people are usually specialists in the topic under discussion or have to research it to be well informed and to be able to argue with data and convincing reasoning.

The mediator assigns turns for each speaker and moderates the amount of time each turn. In addition, he is the one who collaborates so that an agreement is reached at the end of the debate. The audience may not be present, but when you are in a debate you can ask questions of the speakers or you can choose the winner.

For a debate to be successful, it has to be well organized, that is, there have to be rules that must be respected by all participants. For example, speakers have to respect each other, stick to talking exclusively on the established topic, and not interrupt other speakers.

Types of debates

Phases of a debate

Examples of discussions

1. The advantages and disadvantages of social media. Social networks have many advantages, such as the speed of information exchange and the connection between people who can be found far away. But they also have disadvantages, for example, they can lead to addiction. What weighs more, the advantages or the disadvantages?
2. Gender inequality. Gender inequality is the discrimination that is made towards certain people because of their gender. In addition, this phenomenon implies that people of a certain gender cannot access certain jobs or that they receive a lower salary for the same job. What are the causes and consequences of this inequality? Who do it? Why? Can be modified? How?
3. The use of renewable energy. Renewable energies are those energies that, unlike non-renewable energies, are generated with resources that are renewed in an unlimited way. The use of these energies is a great benefit for the environment, but why are they used so little? Why doesn't their use replace the use of non-renewable energies?
4. Positions on an economic policy. An economic policy consists of measures that a government takes to guide the course of the economy. But is this economic policy the most successful? Can be modified? What ideas are better than those proposed by the government?
5. Transgenic foods. GMO foods are those whose genetics have been modified, because genes from another food have been added to them. These foods have some advantages, such as adapting to being grown in many places, but they have many disadvantages, for example, they generate a negative environmental impact. So why are they used so much? Can they be replaced by non-genetically modified foods? What consequences do they generate in nature and in the human body?
6. Use of insecticides in agriculture. The use of insecticides in food plantations allows to eliminate pests, but does it have negative consequences on the environment? Does it produce changes in the food you eat? Can insecticides be replaced?
7. Generational changes and work. Different generations have different ways of understanding the world and have different values. In relation to this change, how does it affect companies? How does a company get rich with people of different generations? Why is it important to have a diversity of ways of understanding the world in the same work environment?
8. Subliminal advertising. This type of advertising is one that is not consciously perceived by consumers but that, supposedly, influences people's consumption decisions. How effective is subliminal advertising really? How is it related to ethics? What ad campaigns that had subliminal messages were successful?
9. Ethics and science. The advancement of science has improved people's lives but, in some cases, science has been used against humanity or had very negative consequences. Is the use of a scientific discovery the responsibility of the scientist making the discovery, or is it the responsibility of people to use this discovery afterwards? How does ethics influence science?
10. Inequality in access to new technologies. New technologies are widely used by many people in the world, because they facilitate many activities. But not everyone can agree to use these products in the same way. Why is this difference made? Can this access be democratized? What benefits would it bring to society if all people could access new technologies?
11. Use of alternative medicine. Alternative medicine is a set of practices and remedies that are not approved by traditional medicine scientists. However, there are many people who use these alternative treatments. Are these treatments effective? Should they be done in hospitals? Are all treatments the same or are there some that are more effective than others? Can alternative medicine be combined with traditional medicine?
12. The relationship of the human being with nature. Nature has many things that people use to survive, such as food and materials. But, in recent centuries, human beings have modified nature and, on some occasions, have destroyed natural resources or generated irreparable damage. How has this relationship changed over time? How can natural resources continue to be used in a sustainable way so as not to have a negative impact on nature?
13. Climate change. Climate change is the increase in the average temperature of the planet and an alteration of the climate and climatic phenomena throughout the world. What is the evidence that climate change has increased in recent years? Why are there people who deny that climate change is serious? How do people's activities influence climate change?
14. Work and mental health. Work is a fundamental activity in the life of any adult, but some jobs can be very stressful. In relation to this topic, one can discuss the balance between work and rest, the need for policy-making in relation to the detection and treatment of stress, among other things.
15. Free or paid education. In some countries all levels of education are free, but not in other countries. Why? Should it be free at all levels? Should there be free universities for everyone to have access to professional training? Can it be solved with scholarships?
16. Carrying firearms. In many countries it is legal to carry arms, in some not and in others only if the person has a permit. But what is the best option so that there are not so many crimes? Can everyone have weapons in their homes or must they meet certain conditions? Should carrying a gun be a right?
17. Electronic vote or paper vote. In certain countries electronic voting was implemented, but in other countries it is voted with paper. Which of the two systems is more secure? Which one is fraud most likely to be? Which is more efficient? Which is more transparent?
18. Vegetarianism and veganism. Choosing not to eat animals or products that come from them is not just a choice that is made because the rights of animals, but also takes into account the impact that the production of food from animals has on the environment environment. But doesn't the production of other foods have a negative impact on nature? How are the nutrients that come from different meats supplanted? Why is it essential to respect the lives of animals?
19. The limits of freedom of expression. Freedom of expression is a right of everyone, but in some cases, certain ideas or comments may be offensive to certain people. What are the limits of freedom of expression? Why is it important to consider others when expressing an opinion?
20. Meritocracy. Meritocracy assumes that a person obtains certain rewards in relation to the effort and will that he puts in to achieve certain objectives. But can all people get the same? Does it depend on the place of departure of each one? Why is effort in study and career important?

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