opposing viewpoints research topics

Opposing Viewpoints (Gale In Context): Resource Overview

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Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints

Gale In Co n text: Opposing Viewpoints is the premier online resource covering today's hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana. This cross-curricular resource supports science, social studies, current events, and language arts classes. Informed, differing views help learners develop critical-thinking skills and draw their own conclusions.

Opposing Viewpoints is a rich resource for debaters and includes viewpoints, reference articles, infographics, news, images, video, audio, and more . A category on the National Debate Topic provides quick and easy access to content on frequently studied and discussed issues. Periodical content covers current events, news and commentary, economics, environmental issues, political science, and more.

Access Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints by clicking the icon below:

What is a Viewpoint?

Each viewpoint essay starts with an  Article Commentary  that includes information about the essay's  author(s) , position summary, main points, and questions to consider. Having this information at the start, sets you up to be a critical thinker. It's important to know the credentials of the author, their expertise, and potential biases in order to assess their credibility and understand why they take the perspective that they do. The brief position summary and  questions to consider  offer you a preview and help to focus your thinking as you read the essay.  (definition taken from South College)

In the Article Commentary highlighted in blue, you can find the authors credentials and affiliations to help you, the reader, evaluate any potential bias in this essay

You'll also find  questions to consider  with each viewpoint essay, These questions are designed to focus your reading. They help you make deeper connections between ideas, consider what you believe, and actively apply the information you are learning. 

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Description

Opposing Viewpoints (Gale in Context) is a great database for topics involving social issues, particularly if your project has an argumentative or position component. The goal is to provide a pro/con discussion of subjects through the use of articles, book chapters, government reports, news transcripts, and many other types of publications. It is also recommended as a starting place for research projects, as it suggests common issues that yield numerous sources.

This tutorial will get you started with your research in Opposing Viewpoints (Gale in Context).

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Access this database by clicking on the Articles/Databases button on the  Library's homepage .

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What is Opposing Viewpoints?

Traditionally available as a series of books, Opposing Viewpoints in Context is now available as a database. This series presents both sides of arguments on controversial topics and provides a complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.

• Coverage Dates: varies
• Update Frequency: varies
• Audience: College students, High School students, Teachers

(Information from GALILEO)

Direct Link to Opposing Viewpoints

• Opposing Viewpoints in Context Presents various sides of controversial topics and social issues. Full text.

Opposing Viewpoints Materials

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Where to Start a Research Project?

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Paper Topics and Opposing Viewpoints

Paper topic ideas, other guides to topics.

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Information Literacy & Library Research: . . . Opposing Viewpoints

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• Information Has Value
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• Module 6. Reflecting
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Opposing Viewpoints

Section Two C: Research Topics - Research Strategy - Opposing Viewpoints

An excellent place to get ideas and background information for a research project, Opposing Viewpoints is a database with full text articles covering current and controversial topics. It includes pro/con viewpoint essays, primary sources, academic journals, statistics, and graphs.

• To access Opposing Viewpoints from the Library homepage select Articles & Journals , at the bottom of the page under Using the Library . Then search for Opposing Viewpoints or select it from the alphabetized database list.
• Click Browse Issues to browse the topic categories, e.g., Addiction, Affirmative Action, etc., or, search for a topic in the Search box.

• Search results will display Viewpoints, Academic Journals, Magazines, News, Primary Sources, and even Reference sources.
• Click an article to view, print, or download the article.

• Last Updated: Aug 9, 2024 1:42 PM
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Opposing Viewpoints In Context

• Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Browsing for a Topic (4:32)

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Opposing Viewpoints in Context can be helpful when you are trying to get ideas for a research topic.

View the following short video to learn more about browsing for a topic, choosing a category of topics, and the viewpoints, reference sources, and related subjects features. 

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• Last Updated: Feb 26, 2024 1:14 PM
• Clark College Libraries
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Find Opposing Views (Pros and Cons): Find Articles & Books

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Focus Words: The Secret to Finding Opposing Viewpoints

The secret to finding articles on opposite sides of an issue are to include focus words in your search. Focus words are just words will zoom in on specific viewpoints, or look for articles that discuss controversies.

The example shows searching the topic words climate change and the focus word controversy :

 Use the lists below to find focus words that looks useful for your topic and try them. Be aware that controversial topics are often tied to political opinions or agendas.

Find Articles in Magazines, Journals & Newspapers

Good databases to start with:.

Weekly articles focusing in-depth on a single "hot topic" issue.

Weekly articles focusing in-depth on a single "hot topic" issue. Topics are taken from the headlines and include social, political, environmental, health, education, science and technology issues. URL: https://cqpress-sagepub-com.clarkcollege.idm.oclc.org/cqresearcher/

Articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers for all academic disciplines.

Articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers for all academic disciplines. This collection includes the following full-text content, in addition to thousands of searchable cited resources: 3,618 active, full-text, non-open access journals and magazines 3,099 active, full-text, peer-reviewed, non-open access journals 1,298 active, full-text, peer-reviewed, non-open access journals with no embargo 2,444 active, full-text, non-open access journals indexed in Web of Science or Scopus  This database is hosted on EBSCO platform and includes Academic Search Premier. URL: https://clarkcollege.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=a9h

Articles from academic journals, popular magazines, and newspapers.

Articles from academic journals, popular magazines, and newspapers. By default this ProQuest link searches Research Library, Family Health Database, National Newspapers, and ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry; full text and graphics available. Explore ProQuest's Youtube Channel for a series of training videos. URL: https://clarkcollege.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/advanced

Focus Words

• Conservative Viewpoint
• Liberal Viewpoint

conservative conservative opinions evangelical GOP political right republican right wing

democrat left wing liberal liberal opinions political left

The library has specific books that cover hot topics and pro/con arguments. Search for your topic and one of the series names:

• Opposing Viewpoints
• Current Controversies
• Taking Sides

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Opposing Viewpoints Search and Citation Guide: Find Opposing Viewpoints

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From the PCC Library Homepage

From the library homepage , look just underneath the main search box. Click the Databases link.

Currently enrolled students have free access both on campus and off campus. High school students and other visitors are limited to access on public stations in the library only. Off-campus access requires a LancerPoint username and password.

Articles about social issues. Includes opinion articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, and full-text periodical articles from magazines and newspapers. PCC offers a brief video with instructions for using this database.

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Controversial Topics/Opposing Viewpoints

Spiva library databases to consult for topic ideas & background information, controversial topic, evaluation criteria checklist - questions to ask, acknowledgement.

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Click on the icon above to be taken to a list of topics covered by that resource

From off-campus you will be prompted to first submit your Missouri Southern Username and PIN.

Created by Norman Rockwell

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When evaluating either print or online resources for a research assignment or paper, ask the following questions from the evaluation criteria checklist below:

Evaluation Criteria Checklist

Some of the materials contained on this page come from a LibGuide created by the librarians at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond VA.

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Searching Databases at Chaffey College: Opposing Viewpoints

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Opposing Viewpoints Video

Opposing viewpoints links.

• Opposing Viewpoints in Context Opposing Viewpoints draws on the social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, as well as material from other reference sources including specialized encyclopedias to present social issues. Great place to check for topics for research papers. Most useful for selecting a topic, position papers, statistics and background reference material.
• Opposing Viewpoints in Context Search Tips Help Guide from Gale with quick search tips.

Opposing Viewpoints tutorial

Opposing Viewpoints Homepage

On the homepage, you will find the following options for beginning your research:   * Spotlighted Topics   * Browse  Categories & Topics    * Featured Video & News    * Basic Search    *  Advanced Search

Browsing Topics

The categories and topics featured in Opposing Viewpoints In Context are arranged into eight (8) categories (topics may appear in more than one category). Select View All next to the category to display an alphabetical list of all topics within that category. From there you can click on a specific topic.

Basic Search

Basic Search offers a straightforward way to search featuring a single search box. This search is ideal when keywords and phrases are too specific to be found in the Browse Categories and Topics. To search for a Topic Page:   the system will look for a Topic page that matches your search criteria – topics will be in a Bold Italicized print.

Based on available content, topic pages may include:

• Overview : Essay providing an intellectual framework for understanding the topic: why it’s important, controversies surrounding it; what should be focused on while conducting research.
• Viewpoints:  Opinion based articles framing issues from different perspectives
• Reference:    encyclopedia and reference articles
• Primary Sources:  interviews, legislative acts, resolutions, speeches, testimonials, treaties and more
• Statistics:  Interactive and static graphs, tables, and charts
• Images, Audio, and Video:  Streamed video content, nearly 70,000 images, and audio files
• News, Magazines, and Academic Journals:  Articles from over 450 full-text English-language international sources
• Websites:  Overviews and links
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Controversial Topics - Bloomington

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Controversial Topics Library Guide

Online databases for browsing & research.

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View Quick Guide to Using Opposing Viewpoints.

Gather Background Information

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Use these databases to research controversial topics.

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Select a Research Topic: Current Events and Controversial Issues

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Food for Thought

When writing on controversial issues, exercise caution when considering a topic that has the potential to be overdone.  Issues such as gun control, abortion, corporal punishment, etc. have been written about so much for so long that it may be difficult to find something new to add to the conversation. Here are a few databases that have extensive browse for topic features:

Issues and Controversies is the place to go to prepare for a debate, discussion, research paper, or persuasive writing assignment. This database explores more than 800 hot topics in business, politics, government, education, and popular culture.

Learn more about Issues and Controversies using the resources below:

Search Tips

View our OneFile Research Guide to learn more about navigating GALE databases. 

More Places to Search

Explore our General Resources for Research: Multidisciplinary Databases research guide for additional resources. 

Opposing Viewpoints in Context is a rich resource for debaters and includes viewpoints, reference articles, infographics, news, images, video, audio, and more. This database centers on the key social issues of our time.

Learn more about Opposing Viewpoints in Context using the resources below:

View our tip sheet for information on how to locate materials in this database. View our OneFile Research Guide to learn more about navigating GALE databases. 

Points of View Reference Center contains many topics, each with an overview (objective background/description), point (argument) and counterpoint (opposing argument). For each topic, this database also offers a Guide to Critical Analysis, which helps the reader evaluate the controversial topics.

View our tip sheet and our YouTube tutorial for information on how to locate materials in this database. View our EBSCO Research Guide to learn more about navigating EBSCO databases. 

Download the EBSCO app on your Android or iOS device for mobile searching. 

Controversial Issues

• Abstinence only education
• Affirmative Action
• Alternative medicine
• America's global influence
• Animal Testing
• Artificial intelligence
• Assisted suicide
• Bilingual education
• Book banning
• Capital punishment
• Charter schools
• Childhood obesity
• Civil rights
• Climate change
• Concealed weapons
• Cryptocurrency
• Cyber bullying 
• Death penalty
• Drug legalization
• Eating disorders
• Energy crisis
• Ethnic Adoption
• Factory farming
• Foreign aid
• Freedom of speech
• Genetic Cloning
• Genetic engineering
• Hacking 
• Health insurance
• Human Trafficking
• Identity theft
• Immigration
• Labor unions
• Local food movement
• Mandatory National Service
• Minimum wage
• Nuclear energy
• Organic food
• Offshore drilling
• Outsourcing
• Plastic Surgery
• Racial profiling
• Recreational Marijuana
• Roe v. Wade
• School safety
• School uniforms
• Second Amendment
• Self-defense laws
• Self-driving cars
• Sex education
• Social security
• Standardized testing
• Student Loan Debt
• Urban agriculture
• Violence in the media
• Women's rights
• Zero tolerance policies

Current Events

• 2020 Census
• Affordable Care Act
• Afghanistan crisis 
• Arming teachers
• Black Lives Matter
• Brazil political crisis
• Confederate memorials
• COVID-19 vaccines & mandates
• Cybersecurity
• Electoral College
• Equal Rights Amendment
• Federal interest rates
• Filibuster 
• Gender nutral restrooms
• Gerrymandering
• Government shut down
• Hate speech
• Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
• Impeachment
• Internet privacy
• Iran nuclear deal
• Islamophobia
• Lethal Injections
• Marijuana legalization
• Mass incarceration
• Mass shooting
• Medical Devices
• Me Too movement
• Migrant crisis
• Mueller Report
• Net neutrality
• North Dakota Access Pipeline
• North Korea
• Paris Climate Agreement
• Planned Parenthood
• Poverty gap
• Prescription drug addiction
• Racism in America
• Refugee crisis
• Russian hacking
• Sanctuary city
• School violence
• Sexual assault on campus
• Supreme Court Justice oversight
• Syrian civil war
• Transgender rights
• Trump, Donald
• UK leaving EU (Brexit)
• Vaccination
• Voter fraud
• Voting laws
• Warehouse Working Conditions (Amazon, UPS, Walmart)
• White nationalism
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Cultivating Constructive Dialogue: The Science Diversity Method

What steps can we take to increase the potential for constructive discussions.

Updated August 13, 2024 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

• Having civil conversations with individuals who have different viewpoints can be challenging.
• The Science of Diversity Method enables individuals to discuss divisive subjects in a fair and unbiased way.
• The new approach entails collaborative evidence evaluation forming the foundation for metacognition.

In the current polarized environment, having friendly conversations with individuals who have different ideologies and viewpoints can be challenging. A growing number of Americans find discussions with those they disagree with to be stressful and exasperating. In academic circles, "affective polarization" describes individuals harboring favorable sentiments towards their own beliefs while feeling negatively towards contradictory beliefs. Essentially, they experience emotional polarization.

For example, person A believes that immigration contributes to the economy and enhances the cultural landscape of the nation, evoking a sense of optimism and pride in a multicultural society. Person B, however, perceives immigration as a risk to employment opportunities and the security of the country, leading to feelings of unease and a desire to safeguard their community. Each individual regards the other as either overly idealistic or dangerously narrow-minded, resulting in a profound divergence in their viewpoints and a sense of mutual dislike and suspicion.

Thus, the divide between people is not just about differing opinions but also involves a growing tendency to see those with opposing views as inherently flawed or immoral. This widening gap is causing a loss of confidence in institutions and contributing to social and political instability, making it increasingly difficult to find consensus on important issues. As individuals isolate themselves into their own ideological bubbles and dehumanize the "other side," the potential for constructive discussions diminishes.

Within university settings, polarization is making it more challenging for academic discussions, particularly on divisive diversity topics. Students often come into discussions with deeply ingrained beliefs, making it hard to facilitate open dialogue without provoking emotional reactions or confrontation. Consequently, professors are tasked with delicately navigating these divisions, striving to promote critical thinking and respectful discussions while managing the tension and suspicion that can undermine the learning environment. The heightened sensitivity surrounding controversial diversity subjects is also causing some students to restrain themselves, thereby further stifling meaningful conversation in academic settings.

What steps can we take about the current situation?

In this post, I will detail how applying the Science of Diversity Method ® enhances learning and metacognition and enables individuals to approach and discuss divisive subjects in a fair and unbiased way.

The science of this educational method employs scientific reasoning, which entails methodically understanding the world through observation, hypothesis testing, and evidence evaluation, forming the foundation for metacognition. Metacognition, or the process of thinking about one's own thinking, requires being aware of one's cognitive processes, allowing us to adjust and improve our thinking hence making engagement in collaborative conversations on divisive topics more probable

For example, one way to bring the science of diversity method into examining immigration issues is to start by collecting factual information related to economic measures, such as employment generation, wage patterns, and GDP expansion in regions with substantial immigration.

By taking this approach, a detailed analysis can be conducted to understand how immigration may or may not positively contribute to economic growth and, on certain occasions, affect or not affect job prospects. Cultural research could also be utilized to explore how immigrant communities potentially enhance or not enhance cultural diversity while also addressing concerns about crime , social unity and integration, thus presenting a fair, evidence-based viewpoint on both sides of the discussion.

Utilizing the science of diversity educational method to comprehend immigration supports metacognition by prompting individuals to critically assess their own cognitive processes, predispositions, and presumptions. Emphasizing evidence, information, and rational examination shifts the discourse away from emotional or ideological contentions to a more impartial exploration of the realities. This method encourages a more cooperative conversation, as participants are urged to consider different outlooks, challenge their own convictions, and collaborate on solving problems, diminishing the chances of discord and fostering a more profound, shared comprehension of the matter.

For example, consider an individual who strongly supports immigration. Whenever they come across a news article about immigration, they consciously focus solely on the positive aspects and tend to overlook any negative elements. However, one day, they catch themselves engaging in this behavior and begin contemplating, "Why am I always seeking information that aligns with my opinions? Am I intentionally avoiding viewpoints that challenge my beliefs?" The realization dawns on them that their selective attention could be reinforcing their bias , prompting them to commit to reading a broader spectrum of articles to gain a better understanding of different viewpoints. This recognition and modification in their thought process serves as a clear demonstration of metacognition—reflecting on their own thinking and evaluating how it might be shaping their beliefs and decisions.

Scientific thinking is not just for “scientists” or limited to the sciences; it is a useful skill across fields. It fosters a mindset of curiosity, reflection, and intellectual humility that can be applied to any subject of inquiry. Teaching scientific thinking involves instilling intellectual humility—recognizing that one’s knowledge is limited and often wrong and that learning is a continuous process. This mindset is crucial for reflective learning, as it encourages us to seek out new information, question our assumptions, and remain open to revising our opinions.

By teaching students to use scientific reasoning, construct hypotheses, evaluate evidence, and formulate limitations, educators provide students with the tools to engage in reflective learning. In his famous 1974 commencement address, Physicist Richard Feynman discussed the principles of scientific thinking and reflective learning by saying that we must “search most diligently, and with the greatest effort, in exactly those places where it seems most likely that we can prove our theories wrong. In other words, we are trying to prove ourselves wrong as quickly as possible because only in that way can we find progress.”

Our ability to employ this principle when discussing polarizing emotionally laden topics is crucial to navigating the abundance of contradictory data readily available today. The science of diversity method, which I derived from my insights from research and teaching, has allowed me and my teaching fellows, Brian Chin and Menna Saleh, to create the type of learning environment required to collect and analyze data in ways that promote collaborative data gathering and questioning, which leads to open discussions.

Through collective data gathering, we learn how to approach questions by relying on data from various sources that often yield conflicting results or biased conclusions. Embracing this conflict deepens our understanding and empowers us to navigate any issue, be it emotionally charged, such as immigration or racial bias in policing, or less charged, such as nutrition requirements for school lunches.

Our willingness to question ourselves, collect data, and analyze conflicting data fosters a collaborative climate. When repeated, this process gives us strategies and engages us in a reflective learning process, enhancing our capacity to adapt to new conditions and challenges.

In summary , the practice of the science of diversity method is a useful approach for encouraging collaborative constructive conversations as it promotes introspection, analytical assessment, and flexibility, thus equipping us with the ability to navigate emotional, polarizing diversity topics. Additionally, by delving into scientific thinking and controversial diversity subjects, students can acquire a more profound comprehension of themselves and others, participate in impartial and equitable conversations, and embrace a lifelong dedication to learning. Nurturing scientific thinking skills holds the potential to enable us to think critically, ponder thoughtfully, and behave respectfully in an ever-evolving society.

Copyright 2024 Mona Sue Weissmark All Rights Reserved.

Thank you to Jeanette Lieb for improving the article. Thank you to Darrell Graham for taking the time to read this article and for providing valuable feedback. Thank you to my husband Daniel Giacomo for taking the time to discuss the ideas in this article and for offering his thoughtful insights. Thank you to Brian Chin head teaching fellow and Menna Saleh teaching fellow for the Psychology of Diversity courses at Harvard. Thank you to Bushra Hassan special projects and engagement manager at the Science of Diversity Lab at Harvard for helping to share the work. And thank you to my many students at Harvard and Northwestern who help me practice what I teach.

Weissmark,M. (2020). The Science of Diversity. ( Oxford University Press). https://www.amazon.com/Science-Diversity-Mona-Sue-Weissmark/dp/0190686340

Weissmark,M. (2018). Evaluating Psychology Research. Psychology Today . https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/justice- matters/201808/evaluating-psychology-research

Mona Sue Weissmark, Ph.D. , is a psychology professor and founder of the Program Initiative for Global Mental Health Studies at Northwestern University.

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55 Great Debate Topics for Any Project

General Education

A debate is a formal discussion about a topic where two sides present opposing viewpoints. Debates follow a specific structure: each side is given time to speak either for or against the topic at hand.

Many students study debate in high school to improve their speaking skills. As a debater, you learn how to clearly structure and present an argument. The skills you develop as a debater will help you on everything from a college admissions interview to a job presentation.

Selecting debate topics is one of the most important parts of debating. In this article, we’ll explain how to select a good debate topic and give suggestions for debate topics you can use.

How to Select Good Debate Topics

A good debate topic is one that lets the participants and the audience learn about both sides of an issue. Consider the following factors when selecting a debate topic:

Interest: Are you interested in the topic? Would the topic be interesting to your fellow classmates, as well as to the audience listening to the debate? Selecting a topic that you’re interested in makes the preparation part of the debate more exciting , as well as the debate more lively.

Argument Potential: You want to choose a debate topic that has solid argument potential. If one side is clearly right, or if there isn’t a lot of available information, you’ll have a hard time crafting a solid debate.

Availability of Data: Data points make an argument more robust. You’ll want to select a topic with lots of empirical data that you can pull from to bolster your argument.

Now that we know how to select a debate topic, let’s look at a list of good debate topics.

Debate Topics Master List

If you’re searching for your next debate topic, here are some suggestions.

Social and Political Issues Debate Topics

• All people should have the right to own guns.
• The death penalty should be abolished.
• Human cloning should be legalized.
• All drugs should be legalized.
• Animal testing should be banned.
• Juveniles should be tried and treated as adults.
• Climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity today.
• Violent video games should be banned.
• The minimum wage should be $15 per hour.
• All people should have Universal Basic Income.
• Sex work should be legal.
• Countries should be isolationist.
• Abortion should be banned.
• Every citizen should be mandated to perform national public service.
• Bottled water should be banned.
• Plastic bags should be banned.

Education Debate Topics

• Homework should be banned.
• Public prayer should not be allowed in schools.
• Schools should block sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram on their computers.
• School uniforms should be required.
• Standardized testing should be abolished.
• All students should have an after-school job or internship.
• School should be in session year-round.
• All high school athletes should be drug tested.
• Detention should be abolished.
• All student loan debt should be eliminated.
• Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling.
• All schools should have armed security guards.
• Religion should be taught in schools.
• All schools should be private schools.
• All students should go to boarding schools.
• Sexual education should be mandatory in schools.
• Public college should be tuition free.
• All teachers should get tenure.
• All school districts should offer school vouchers.

Health Debate Topics

• Healthcare should be universal.
• Cosmetic procedures should be covered by health insurance.
• All people should be vegetarians.
• Euthanasia should be banned.
• The drinking age should be 18.
• Vaping should be banned.
• Smoking should be banned in all public places.
• People should be legally required to get vaccines.
• Obesity should be labeled a disease.
• Sexual orientation is determined at birth.
• The sale of human organs should be legalized.
• Birth control should be for sale over the counter.

Technology Debate Topics

• Social media has improved human communication.
• The development of artificial intelligence will help humanity.
• Individuals should own their own DNA.
• Humans should invest in technology to explore and colonize other planets.
• Governments should invest in alternative energy sources.
• Net neutrality should be restored.
• Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies should be encouraged or banned.
• Alternative energy can effectively replace fossil fuels.
• Cell phone radiation is dangerous and should be limited.

How to Prepare for a Debate

Once you’ve selected your debate topic, the next step is to prepare for your debate. Follow these steps as you get ready to take the podium.

Read Your Evidence

The most important step to building your debate confidence is to familiarize yourself with the evidence available. You’ll want to select reputable sources and use empirical data effectively.

The more well read on your topic you are, the better you’ll be able to defend your position and anticipate the other side’s arguments.

Anticipate the Other Side’s Arguments

As part of your debate, you’ll need to rebut the other side’s arguments. It’s important to prepare ahead of time to guess what they’ll be talking about. You’ll bolster your own side’s argument if you’re able to effectively dismantle what the other side is saying.

Plan to Fill Your Speech Time

Each speaker at a debate is limited to a certain amount of time. You should plan to use every second of the time that you’re allotted. Make sure you practice your talking points so that you know you’re within the time frame. If you’re short, add in more evidence.

Practice to Build Confidence

It can be scary to take the stage for a debate! Practicing ahead of time will help you build confidence. Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Even if your argument is great, it won’t matter if no one can understand it.

Final Thoughts

Debate is a great way to hone your public speaking skills and get practice crafting and defending an argument. Use these debate topics if you're searching for a focus for your next debate.

What's Next?

Looking for ways to keep the debate going in non-academic life? Then you'll love our list of 101 "this or that" questions to argue over with your friends.

Thinking about how you can use your argumentative skills in a future career? Read up on the five steps to becoming a lawyer to see if that's a path you want to pursue.

Getting ready to take an AP test? Here’s a list of practice tests for every AP exam, including the AP literature exam .

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Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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The role of authenticity in a psychologically safe environment.

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Leadership Coach & Facilitator For The Left-Brained Analytical Leader & Founder of JAS Leadership .

Psychological safety has been a hot topic in leadership forums, articles and conferences for years now. Researchers have conducted numerous studies into the benefits of a psychologically safe environment in a business. They have found that not only does it create highly functioning, productive and cohesive teams, but it also ultimately increases a company’s bottom line. Verdict: Psychological safety is vital for a healthy business.

However, despite the knowledge of its benefits, leaders do not always know where to start fostering psychological safety in the workplace. Despite knowing that we desire to make our employees feel safe and valued, a research survey from McKinsey indicates that only 26% of team leaders effectively promote a positive and safe workplace.

We have some work to do.

The first step is to think about what an unsafe psychological environment looks like. What makes people feel like they must hide who they are and makes them unwilling to voice their opinions? Most often their hesitation stems from uncertainty and fear of being disliked or saying something "wrong" or "stupid" and being punished for it in some way.

The next step is evaluation—both of yourself and your team. What type of environment are you creating? Does everyone actively participate in meetings? If not, why not? Are you specifically asking for opinions and placing value on others’ thoughts? Are there some people who speak up more than others, and why are those quieter voices staying silent? Perhaps some team members feel valued and confident to speak their minds while others do not. Why?

During my coaching sessions, I have walked through some of these questions with clients. Through their answers, we have identified opportunities for improvement. Some have also recognized patterns in their leadership style that inhibit employees from speaking their minds. Often the remedy to those undesirable patterns is authentic leadership .

For example, my client Robyn was undertaking a self-evaluation of her role in promoting a healthy and supportive workplace environment and realized that she was inadvertently being inauthentic when asking for her direct reports to speak their minds.

She was newly appointed to a team leader role and wanted to make a good impression. Though she did ask for input on a regular basis, she usually did so at the end of a meeting when things were wrapping up, most decisions had already been discussed and teammates were anxious to get out and on with their work. The timing was off, and most times no one said anything.

After some consideration, Robyn realized that she was choosing that time on purpose because part of her was afraid of opposing viewpoints and looking foolish in front of her direct reports. She was letting that fear alter her otherwise authentic leadership style, therefore blocking the route to a psychologically safe workplace.

She decided to face that fear, to remind herself that opposing (yet respectful) points of view are healthy—if not critical—to company health and are not a reflection of her poor leadership or a personal attack. They are simply part of normal business conversations.

Keeping this in mind, she began honestly requesting feedback much earlier during her meetings and, over time, saw a marked difference in staff contributions and dialogue.

Robyn is an intelligent and hard-working leader, and course-correcting to an authentic leadership style makes her perform even better in her role.

Authentic leaders communicate with intention and honesty. When they ask for input, they really do want it. (As opposed to inauthentic leaders, who ask for employee feedback as a mere formality with no intention of consideration.)

Authentic leaders display emotional empathy and recognize that for some people, it can be challenging to express an opinion—especially a contradictory one—to someone "higher up" who may have certain control over future job opportunities or pay raises.

Authenticity requires a leader not only to be open to others’ perspectives but also to respond to that input humbly and openly. Sometimes that input will help guide a decision and other times not. Regardless, simple acknowledgment is enough to encourage employees to contribute again and set an example for other co-workers to do the same.

On the other hand, an inauthentic leader will shut down a safe environment pretty quickly, whether intentionally or not.

Leaders display inauthenticity and decrease psychological safety when:

• Asking for thoughts and ideas on how to solve a problem while already knowing how they plan to solve it.

• Quickly or publicly dismissing opposing viewpoints out of pride or fear.

• Outright ignoring input.

• Asking for opinions that incite a challenge (e.g., “I think this. Anyone disagree?). Few will feel comfortable voicing an opposing view because they may be afraid to challenge their boss’s authority.

While some companies verbally encourage the idea of a "speak-up" culture in which all employees can voice their opinions, inauthentic leadership will quickly shut down that policy. Psychological safety is dependent on how leaders receive, acknowledge and utilize their employees’ ideas. Mismanaging staff thoughts and opinions will deter further contributions and diminish the safety of a team’s work environment. Authenticity is crucial for managers and directors to guide and encourage open dialogue in an emotionally safe workplace.

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