Although not exhaustive, the following list is a starting place for finding material or inspiration for debate prompts:

• AVID Weekly articles

• Content-specific sources:

• Political cartoons

• Data sources

• Primary/secondary source documents

• Math word problems

• Literature

• Topical/local news stories

• State/Supreme Court rulings

• Magazine articles

• Gallup Poll results

• Inspirations from student writing/conversations

• College-related issues

• Blogs and podcasts

• Online video streams

• TEDTalks

• Museum websites

• University education should be free for all citizens.

• Wild animals should not be kept in captivity.

• Performance-enhancing drugs should be permitted in professional sports.

• Video game violence leads to more aggressive children.

• Vegetarianism should be promoted at the middle school level in order to promote healthy living.

• Freedom of speech is more of a privilege than a right.

• Genetically modified organisms in food benefit humanity more than they hurt it.

• American schools should lengthen the school days in order for students to compete more favorably on a global scale.

• Human organs should be made available through not-for-profit corporations and charities.

• The United States should withdraw from the United Nations.

• Animals should not be used as objects of sport and/or entertainment.

• Middle school students should be given more exercise opportunities during the school day.

• Music promoting or glorifying violent or criminal lifestyles should be banned.

• Torture is an acceptable practice to gain information from suspected terrorists.

• Teachers should not interact with students through social networking websites.

• A student should be held legally responsible for bullying if it resulted in the victim’s death.

• The United States should address its own national financial needs before financially supporting other countries.

• Social media does more harm than good for middle school students.

• Food created with nanotechnology will greatly benefit humanity.

• Tobacco should be illegal for purchase or use.

• Discussions about religion should be allowed in schools.

• Students should be allowed to formally rate their teachers each year.

• The death penalty should be mandatory for those who commit rape or premeditated murder.

• Students should be able to work without parental consent at the age of 16.

• Students should be able to choose which high school they attend.

• Parents should be held responsible for their children’s behavior until the age of 18.