Public Forum Debate Topics Generator
Draw from 100+ resolution-style practice topics, choose pro or con, then run the correct PF speech timer.
Accessible team debate on current events
Practice History
How to Use
- • Select a debate format (Pro/Con, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary, etc.)
- • Filter by topic type: Motions, Flip topics, or Policy Resolutions
- • Choose your side and practice arguing that position
- • Use the built-in timer with format-specific speech lengths
- • Track your practice history to see your progress
Debate Formats Explained
Basic debate format with one speaker for each side
One-on-one value debate format popular in high school
British-style debate with government and opposition
Team debate focused on specific policy proposals
Accessible team debate on current events
Use green-yellow-red timing for speeches, debates, and presentations
100+ Public Forum practice resolutions
Public Forum (PF) is a two-on-two debate format built around a clearly worded resolution. Use the generator above for repeated case practice: draw a resolution, take the pro or con side, choose the relevant speech, and start the timer. The topic library covers government, economics, technology, education, the environment, and other issues that reward evidence and audience-friendly explanation.
PF debate topic examples
Start with one of these resolution-style prompts, or use the generator for another topic. For a productive drill, prepare both sides before deciding which side is easier to defend.
Resolved: The United States should require civics education in all schools
Politics & Government · beginner
Resolved: Employee stock ownership should be mandated for large corporations
Economics & Business · advanced
Resolved: Tech companies should pay for news content
Technology & AI · intermediate
Resolved: The extraction of fossil fuels from federal lands should be banned
Environment & Climate · advanced
Resolved: Age of consent laws should be standardized globally
Ethics & Philosophy · advanced
Resolved: Cash bail should be abolished
Social Issues · intermediate
Resolved: The government should fund research into neglected diseases
Healthcare · intermediate
Resolved: All interrogations should be recorded
Law & Justice · beginner
Resolved: The UN Security Council should be expanded
International Relations · intermediate
Turn any PF topic into a debate case
- Define the resolution. Clarify the actor, action, scope, and time frame so both teams debate the same question.
- Map the stakeholders. List who gains, who pays, and who carries the risk if the resolution is adopted.
- Build two or three contentions. Give each contention a claim, a warrant explaining why it is true, and an impact that matters to the judge.
- Prepare the other side first. Write the strongest opposing argument and evidence before drafting your rebuttal.
- Choose a weighing mechanism. Compare magnitude, probability, time frame, and reversibility instead of repeating that your impact is important.
- Collapse late in the round. Summary and final focus should tell one consistent story about the decisive voting issues.
Public Forum speech times
The generator includes a preset for every speech below. Teams also receive three minutes of preparation time to use during the round.
| Round segment | Time | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Pro constructive | 4 minutes | Present the pro case and core evidence. |
| Con constructive | 4 minutes | Present the con case and core evidence. |
| Crossfire | 3 minutes | The first speakers question each other. |
| Pro rebuttal | 4 minutes | Answer the con case and rebuild the pro case. |
| Con rebuttal | 4 minutes | Answer the pro case and rebuild the con case. |
| Crossfire | 3 minutes | The second speakers question each other. |
| Pro summary | 3 minutes | Collapse to the most important voting issues. |
| Con summary | 3 minutes | Collapse to the most important voting issues. |
| Grand crossfire | 3 minutes | All four debaters participate. |
| Pro final focus | 2 minutes | Explain why the pro side wins the round. |
| Con final focus | 2 minutes | Explain why the con side wins the round. |
Three useful PF practice drills
- Four-minute case drill: draw a topic, take one side, and deliver a complete constructive without notes.
- Rebuttal switch: record a constructive, switch sides, and answer your own strongest arguments in four minutes.
- Final-focus test: explain the ballot in two minutes without introducing new arguments or evidence.
Continue your debate practice
Explore the full topic collection, randomize speaking order with a coin flip, or practise delivery against a simple full-screen timer.