The given topic that is to be debated about is known as the motion or the resolution. It usually starts with THBT (“This house believes that…) and then features the proposed change in the status quo.
Other abbreviations are THW (“This house would…”) or simply TH (“This house…”). The “house” refers to the British parliament’s chamber to which the English-born discipline of debating can be traced back in origin, but it is now transformed into any other setting currently needed for any debate.
Motions are designed by tournament motion committees or by the event organisers. Here are some contemporary Debate topics are:
event organisers. Here are some
motion examples:
THBT public transport should be free of charge
THBT smoking in public places should be banned
THBT we should abandon nuclear energy
THW lower the voting age
THW ban beauty contests
THW offer dictators immunity in return for giving up power
TH condemns the influence of the music industry on today’s youths.
THW ban gated communities in our state.
THBT your moral values are mostly influenced by your nearest circle.
THW support education focusing on Maths and Sciences rather than Music and Arts
THW abolish quota system in Nigeria.
TH considers the rebranding of prisons as ‘correctional centers’ in Nigeria is a disservice to the society.
THBT Technology is destroying humanity.
THW prioritize girl-child education in areas with high gender inequality.
THBT no subject should be made compulsory in Nigerian secondary schools.
THW remove tax exemption status from religious institutions that fail to appoint female leaders.
THW sentence cyber criminals to death.
In the world of gender complexity, THW rather be a humanist than a feminist.
THW prioritize the posting of female diplomats to countries of bad human rights.
Here are some other model SL motions:
THBT free trade is good for the developing world
THW lower the age of criminal responsibility
TH welcomes the Green upswing
THBT all European countries should accept refugees from Africa
THW stop sending humans into space
THBT the government should be allowed to disable social networks during civil disorders
THBT capitalism is an enemy of ecology
THBT there can be no peace in the Middle East without an independent Palestinian state
THW make voting in political elections compulsory
TH would ban all speculation on food
TH fears the rise of right-wing nationalism in Europe
For more information on debate motions, see the next post.
