DIALOGUE
DEBATE
Dialogue
Debate
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Collaborative: we
work together to
develop better
understandings.
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Oppositional: each
side tried to prove the
other wrong.
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Listen in order to
understand, to make
meaning

Listen in order to find
flaws
Dialogue
Debate

Examine your own
assumptions and
sometimes change
your mind

Defend your position
at all costs
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Remain open
minded-- be prepared
to see that you were
wrong

Remain determined
to be right-- and to
convince others that
you are
Dialogue

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Search everyone’s
ideas for strength
Respect other
participants, do not
offend
Debate

Fight other ideas and
defend your own

Rebut others, at
times belittling them
Dialogue

Assumes that
everyone has part of
the answer and that
cooperation can lead
to greater
understanding for all

Remains open ended
Debate

Assumes that one
side holds the correct
answer and refuses
to consider
alternatives

Demands a
conclusion and a
winner
Rules of the game…

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Refer to the text whenever you like
Listen carefully
Respond directly to,the ideas (not the
personalities) of others
Respect the direction of the conversation

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Make notes on new ideas or ideas you want to return
to
Give everyone a chance to participate
Don’t stay confused- ask for clarification
Don’t raise your hand, but take your turn
respectfully
Fair game…

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The conversation should center around the text,
but might also include:

other texts that the group has read

factual information from this class and other sources

personal experience
Be prepared to support all of your ideas
Joining the conversation
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I agree with that point because…
I disagree, because…
What evidence are you using to support that
idea?
I’m confused. Can someone explain the last
argument to me?
Are we reading the text correctly? I think it
says…
That idea reminds me of…
What if…
I noticed that…
Advancing the conversation…
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Tom, what did you mean when you said…
Is that really what the text says? Let’s look at it again.
Shawna said this, but Bill said that. How can we put
those two ideas together?
A few minutes ago, Laura said…. Can anyone say
more about that idea?
I’m confused. Can someone help clarify…?
Let’s pause for a minute, to review what we’ve said.
We seem to have exhausted that idea. Let’s think about
this now…
Are we losing focus? Let’s go back to our original
question.
Are we ready to try to draw some conclusions now?