> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://info.argutopia.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://info.argutopia.co/instructors-guide/start-here/topic-or-assignment-first.md). # Topic or assignment first? Some instructors come to Argutopia for help administering a debate without much concern for the topic their students will argue. Others come to us with a topic they'd like to "debatify," but need help setting up a successful debate experience for their students. You're welcome to start from either point. You can begin with your own topic or use one of our [debate kits](/instructors-guide/start-here/debate-kits.md) to kick off your assignment. If you choose to use a debate kit, you'll benefit from curated topics, customized issues and--in many cases--links to resources that your students can use to prepare. Any kit you choose will be automatically imported into your assignment If you'd prefer to create a debate using your own topic, check out our guide to [writing topics and issues](/instructors-guide/start-here/writing-topics-and-issues.md). --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://info.argutopia.co/instructors-guide/start-here/topic-or-assignment-first.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.