Social Controversies/Pop Culture
Great Orators
NYC Issues
Global Issues
Debate Basics
100

This national debate is over greenhouse gases (CO2, Methane), and their warming of the earth. 

What is climate change/global warming?

100

This U.S. president delivered the Gettysburg Address during the Civil War.


Who is Abraham Lincoln?

100

This is the most populated borough in NYC.

What is Brooklyn?

100

This term describes people forced to flee their homes because of war or persecution.

What are refugees?

100

"ARESI" stands for this

What are Argument, Reason, Evidence, Significance, and Impact?

200

This phrase describes the feeling that your mind has been destroyed by endless short-form internet content.


What is brain rot?

200

This civil rights leader delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.

Martin Luther King Jr.

200

This app-based industry has changed transportation in NYC and often competes with traditional yellow taxis.

What is rideshare? (also uber, lyft)

200

This international organization was created after World War II to help countries work together and avoid future conflicts.

What is the United Nations?

200

The side that supports the resolution is called this.

What is the proposition?

300

This national debate is over whether or not machine-learning is good or bad for humanity. 

What is the debate over AI? 

300

This British Prime Minister promised “blood, toil, tears, and sweat” during World War II.

Who is Winston Churchill?

300

This NYC University saw major protests over the Israel/Palestine conflict.

What is Columbia?

300

This term describes the desire/ideology for free trade, relatively open borders, and co-operation between countries. 

What is globalism?

300

This is the main value, principle, or goal a team uses to judge the debate.

What is a framework?

400

This app was briefly banned in the U.S. and sparked debates about free speech, privacy, and national security.

What is TikTok?

400

This abolitionist and former enslaved person gave the speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”


Who is Frederick Douglass?

400

This mayor of NYC faced criticism over policing, housing, and nightlife policies in the 2020s. (Hint: Not the current mayor)

Who is Eric Adams?

400

This continent contains the largest number of countries in the world.

What is Africa?

400

This is a defect in reasoning that weakens an argument or an incorrect belief based on flawed logic. A logical ""

What is a logical fallacy?

500

Some people argue college athletes should be paid because of this system that allows them to earn money from their name, image, and likeness.

What is NIL?

500

This Pakistani activist became one of the youngest Nobel Prize winners after advocating for girls’ education.


Who is Malala Yousafzai?


500

This issue occurs when longtime residents are priced out of a neighborhood as wealthier residents move in.

What is gentrification?

500

This country became the first to ban most social media access for children under 16.

What is Australia?

500

NAME THAT FALLACY: "If we allow one late assignment, soon nobody will do any work."

What is a slippery slope?