Table 1 Differences between dialogue and debate

Collaborative

Oppositional

Common ground

Winning

Enlarges perspectives

Affirms perspectives

Searches for agreement

Searches for differences

Causes introspection

Causes critique

Looks for strengths

Looks for weaknesses

Re-evaluates assumptions

Defends assumptions

Listening for meaning

Listening for countering

Remains open-ended

Implies a conclusion