Looking for topic ideas that will make your party guests put their phones away and actually talk? Participating in a competitive debate in college and want to do your best? Or maybe you’d like to practice debating skills with your students and need something they’ll actually enjoy?
Whatever the case, we have a bunch of hand-picked funny debate topics that will get anyone talking. Debating doesn’t have to be about winning an argument; it can also be about having fun. All you need is an entertaining yet thought-provoking topic that’s at least a little bit controversial.
Funny Debate Topics Are Perfect Conversation Starters
Debating is a fantastic way to master persuasion skills, learn how to hold a conversation on any topic, and even just connect with people.
But there’s more to it. If you do it right, debating isn’t actually all that different from talking. Both require an ability to listen, empathy, and enough confrontation skills to defend what you believe in.
Plus, fun debate topics can be used as conversation starters, instead of boring small talk.
The Benefits of Debating
Even when we’re talking strictly about traditional, competitive debating, it’s an opportunity to learn an exceptionally valuable skill set. Skills gained through debate include critical thinking, research, public speaking, collaboration, time management, and more.
By the way, excelling at debate at the high school level can also become a ticket to a student loan-free degree. Some colleges offer scholarships specifically for students who plan to keep debating competitively in college.
But if you use debating as a medium rather than an end goal, it can offer even more. We’re talking exceptional small talk skills to the ability to connect with anyone.
How to Choose a Good Debate Topic
Probably the most important prerequisite for a debate that everyone enjoys is a good debate topic. Not only is it more entertaining for participants when they are genuinely interested in the subject, but a strong topic also keeps the audience engaged.
However, a good topic isn’t one-size-fits-all. The same debate topiґcs can be perfect for one group of people, yet mind-numbingly boring for another. It all comes down to understanding the participants, the audience, and the circumstances.
Identify The Debaters’ Interests
Think of your own interests and talk to the people you’re going to debate with. Together, choose a few topics that all of you are at least a little curious about.
Research Your Options
Explore the current events everyone is discussing online or use a list of interesting research topics as a starting point. Keep an open mind, though; it’s just to kick-start your search.
Narrow Down The Topic
An overly broad topic, like “workplace inclusion” or “social media,” isn’t particularly exciting to debate. Identify specific aspects or angles within the topics you’ve pre-selected so far.
Analyze Your Audience
If you pick a topic that is interesting for the debaters but not the audience, the audience will quickly get bored and that mood change will sour the fun for the debaters, too.
Evaluate Potential Controversy
To be exciting, a good debate topic should be at least a little controversial. However, it’s best to avoid overly “sensitive” topics, or your debate might get too heated.
Do Preliminary Research
At this point, you just need to check that there is enough relevant and current information on the topic you’re considering. The participants need good data to work with.
Mix Familiar And New
Avoid both the topics that are too niche and those that everyone is already well-versed in. Aim for a good balance between novelty and familiarity.
Assess The Relevance
Relevant topics are naturally more exciting to debate. Plus, using current examples from the media that both participants and the audience are familiar with helps keep things interesting for everyone.
Pick The Right Format
Stick to a traditional structured debate or go for a more relaxed conversation-style format, whatever your fellow debaters prefer and whatever fits the occasion.
Ask For Advice
If you’re new to debating, it can be helpful to talk to people with more experience. They can help you pick a good debate topic and offer other valuable advice. For example, if you work at a school, some of your colleagues have definitely organized a debate before. Don’t be afraid to ask around!
100+ Stimulating and Funny Debate Topics for Every Setting
Instantly Debatable Questions
- If animals could talk, which species would be the rudest?
- Should we have slides instead of elevators in malls?
- Is it morally acceptable to steal stationery from your workplace?
- Is double-dipping snacks acceptable if you are all friends?
- Does bringing store-bought food to a potluck make you a bad guest?
- Are group vacations more fun or more stressful?
- Is it okay to invite people over for dinner and then serve breakfast food?
- Would the world be better if everyone had the same taste in music?
- Is it better to put cereal or pour milk into the bowl first?
- Are early birds or night owls more productive?
- Is it better to binge-watch a series or pace it over time?
Funny Controversial Questions
- Should everyone be allowed to pick any two days off a week as weekends?
- Are Secret Santa gifts better than regular presents?
- Is it okay to correct someone’s grammar in casual conversation?
- Do smartphones actually make people less creative?
- Should hosts take their guests’ phones before dinner to keep everyone present?
- Are horoscopes harmless fun or a potentially harmful waste of time?
- When you are invited over, is it worse to come too early or too late?
- Is it okay to show your children’s faces on social media?
- Is it ever okay to check your partner’s phone without asking them first?
- Is it ever acceptable to lie about your age online?
- Should people be allowed to bring pets to the office?
- When a friend pays for you, are you ethically obliged to return the favor?
Fun Topics to Debate with Students
- If there were no homework, would students actually learn less?
- Is it okay to buy essay and then use the samples to write your own?
- Is it better to have a longer summer break or shorter breaks throughout the year?
- Are standardized tests a fair form of assessment?
- Should video games be part of the school curriculum?
- Should all students be allowed to pick one subject from the curriculum to skip?
- Would it help the spirit to start school with a dance-off instead of a bell?
- Should students be allowed to swap teachers for a day?
- Should all schools have a designated nap time for students every day?
- Should students be allowed to pick their own seats every day?
Funny Debate Topics List for Friends and Family Gatherings
- Is it ever okay to triple-text someone you don’t know well yet?
- Should hosts accommodate every guest’s dietary preferences?
- Should I be allowed to have someone do my Excel homework for me?
- Should all books come with a list of potential triggers on the first page?
- Is it selfish to pick a first date spot near your house?
- Is it ever okay to regift gifts?
- Are Mondays the worst day of the week?
- Would you rather fight one bear or fifty raccoons?
- If one animal species were to start a world war, which species would it be?
- Is it better to live without the Internet or without snacks?
- Is it okay to have friends and family chip in for your wedding?
- If we were to use just one utensil for everything, which would be the best?
- Is it okay to bring your significant other to a night out with friends?
- Is it okay for the book club organizer to pick every book themselves?
- If we all had a robot assistant, would we be more productive?
- Is remote work good or bad for mental health?
- Would it be ethical to sell a pill that prolongs people’s lives by a decade?
- Is it rude to return a gift to the store without talking to the giver?
- Would it be a good idea to have TikTok clubs instead of book clubs?
- Is it okay to skip your sibling’s wedding to go on a vacation?
- On the first date, should the one who initiated pay?
- If you think your friend’s partner is unfaithful, should you speak up?
- Are pocket neighborhoods the best way to keep your friendships alive for decades?
- Is it ever okay to ghost someone after the first date?
Funny Things to Debate About to Get to Know Someone
- Would you rather have a pet that constantly judges you or one that’s ridiculously clingy?
- Would you rather have a voice that’s always too loud or always too soft?
- Is it ethical to buy a pet instead of taking one from a shelter?
- Would you rather never sleep but always feel tired, or sleep too much?
- If you can’t have both, would you rather be really funny or really smart?
- Would you rather have a rewind button on food or a fast-forward button on chores?
- Should you start a conversation with a solo hiker on a track?
- Would you rather visit every country in the world or have your dream house?
- Is silent treatment ever acceptable?
- Is it okay to call a friend out in a group setting?
- Would you rather always be 20 minutes early or 20 minutes late?
- Would you rather have a low-paying job you love or a high-paying job you hate?
- Is it okay to take a loan to go on vacation?
- Is an age gap of over 20 years in romantic relationships fine or creepy?
- Would you rather win a million overnight or have a high but reasonable salary?
- Is being a type A or type B person more stressful?
- Is it ethical to do extreme sports when you have a young child?
- Is a month-long cruise or a month-long hike more fun?
- Is it okay to take over a week to respond to a close friend’s message?
- Is it rude to interrupt someone when they’re telling a story you already know?
- Is it ethical to let young people take student loans for any degree?
- Would you rather always sing instead of talk or dance everywhere you go?
- Is it ethically okay to have kids when you aren’t financially secure?
- Would you rather always tell the truth with no sugar-coating or always tell a funny lie?
- Is it okay to secretly watch the TV show you planned to watch with your partner?
- Are pranks that involve grocery store workers ethical?
Funny Debate Topics for Workplace Events
- Should lunches be free for all in-office employees?
- Is it okay to add laxatives to your lunch food if someone keeps stealing it?
- What does deferred mean for a work task: postponed indefinitely, or extended?
- Is Secret Santa more stressful or more fun?
- Can a four-day work week actually increase productivity?
- Should romantic relationships between colleagues be outright banned?
- Is it reasonable not to hire a perfect candidate just for their interview outfit?
- Are April Fools’ pranks appropriate in the workplace?
- Is it okay to still come to work when sick?
- Should the birthday person be the one to pay for the cake for all colleagues?
- Would themed meetings for fun be a good idea for office morale?
- Would you rather have office chairs or office plants that can talk?
- Should non-smokers be given extra break time?
- Should team-building events outside of work hours be mandatory?
- Is it okay to email your colleagues in the middle of the night?
- Should companies cover employees’ gym or sports classes?
- Is it ever acceptable for a manager to rescind an approved vacation?
- Would it help employee morale if all employees used Zoom masks in meetings?
- Should a return-to-office call come with a substantial raise?
- Is “fact of the day” a good tradition to use for team meetings?
- Is it ever okay to prank your coworkers?
- Should casual dress include costumes once a month?
- Do friendships in the workplace help or hinder productivity?
- Is it acceptable to have friendly desk chair races in the office?
- Is it ever okay to use memes when emailing clients?
- Should Christmas decorations be more inclusive to accommodate a wider range of people?
- Should you be given a day off if the manager spilled coffee on you?
Conclusion
You now have a great list of funny debate topics. Feel free to use it whenever you feel like organizing a debate to have fun at a family gathering, to help your students practice research and public speaking skills, or for any other purpose.
Remember that the most important things for a successful debate that everyone enjoys are an engaging topic, a bit of preparation, and the right attitude from everyone involved. Even if the arguments aren’t the strongest, having a good time makes up for everything.
FAQs
What Are Some Entertainment Options to Have Fun at a Corporate Event?
Debate is a great way to have some fun with your colleagues, but it isn’t the only option. A great alternative is to organize a trivia or movie quiz. It’ll help the team spirit and inspire collaboration, which is great for workplace culture.
Another good option is an interactive workshop, for example, a painting, pottery, or cooking class. Crafts are easy to combine with conversation, which makes them a perfect way to get to know your colleagues better outside of work tasks.
How to Make a Debate Successful Besides Choosing the Right Topic?
Unless you’re organizing a serious competitive debate, the most important thing is to keep it light-hearted. If you notice that the debate is getting heated, it might be a good idea to joke around for a minute to lighten the mood.
Remind everyone that the number one reason why you’re all debating in the first place is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. Also, make sure everyone has a chance to speak without interruptions. A key rule of every debate is mutual respect.
How to Get Ready for a Debate If You Don’t Have Much Time?
If you need to prepare for a debate with minimal time and effort, don’t overthink the topic or your stance. Pick a side that resonates with you more, do quick research, outline your key points, and practice a quick run-through.
A lot of new debaters skip the last step, but it’s not a good idea. Saying your main points out loud before the debate (even if just to yourself) will make you feel more confident and help you get over the fear of public speaking.