DEBATE AND DIALOGUE
Dialogue is collaborative: multiple sides work
toward shared understanding.
Debate is oppositional: two opposing sides try
to prove each other wrong.
In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make
meaning, and to find common ground.
In debate, one listens to find flaws, to spot
differences, and to counter arguments.
DEBATE AND DIALOGUE (CONTINUED)
Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a
participant’s point of view.
Debate affirms a participant's point of view.
Dialogue reveals assumptions for examination
and re-evaluation.
Debate defends assumptions as truth.
DEBATE AND DIALOGUE (CONTINUED)
Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude: an
openness to being wrong and an openness to
change.
Debate creates a close-minded attitude, a
determination to be right.
In dialogue , one submits one's best thinking,
expecting that other people's reflections will help
improve it rather than threaten it.
In debate, one submits one's best thinking and
defends it against challenge to show that it is right.
DEBATE AND DIALOGUE (CONTINUED)
Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending one's
beliefs.
Debate calls for investing wholeheartedly in one's
beliefs.
In dialogue, one searches for strengths in all
positions.
In debate, one searches for weaknesses in the
other position.
DEBATE AND DIALOGUE (CONTINUED)
Dialogue respects all the other participants and
seeks not to alienate or offend.
Debate rebuts contrary positions and may belittle or
deprecate other participants.
Dialogue assumes that many people have pieces of
answers and that cooperation can lead to a greater
understanding.
Debate assumes a single right answer that
somebody already has.
DEBATE AND DIALOGUE (CONTINUED)
Dialogue remains open-ended.
Debate demands a conclusion.
SOCRATIC CIRCLE




Collective Inquiry
An Exchange of Ideas
There are no right answers
The Goal: An enlarged, shared understanding
of ideas, issues, or values through dialogue.
Not simply a transmission of information
WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A SOCRATIC
CIRCLE?
A Text - rich with ideas and values.
Questions – An opening question that has no
right answer which leads to new questions.
Leader – Begins the circle discussion and keeps
the discussion on task.
Participants – Study the text,
underline/highlight, listen’s actively, shares
ideas, questions self and others.
HABITS OF MIND
What is it I think I know?
How do I know what I know?
How do I know that I know?
What is the evidence?
Whose viewpoint is this?
How is it connected to other things?
HABITS OF MIND
How else might it be connected?
What difference does it make?
What If…?
So what…?
GROUND RULES FOR SOCRATIC CIRCLES
Speak so that all can hear.
Listen attentively and reflectively.
Speak without raising your hands.
Do not interrupt and be respectful as others are
speaking.
Refer to the text.
Talk to each other not only the Leader/Teacher.
Ask for clarification, don’t stay confused.
GROUND RULES FOR SOCRATIC CIRCLES
Invite and allow others to speak.
Consider all viewpoints and ideas.
Know that you are responsible for the quality of the
discussion.
Address one another respectfully.
Monitor your “air time”
Be courageous in presenting your own thoughts and
reasoning, but be flexible and willing to change your
mind in the face of new and compelling evidence
PRE-SEMINAR QUESTION-WRITING
Before you come to a Socratic Seminar
class, please read the assigned text (novel
section, poem, essay, article, etc.) and fill in the
Socratic Seminar Prep Sheet. (If the Prep Sheet
is not complete, you may not participate in the
Socratic Seminar, and you will earn a zero.)
LEVEL 1: CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write a question about the text that will help
everyone in the class come to an
agreement about events or characters in
the text. This question usually has a
"correct" answer.
Example: Can you describe what caused Diggory
and Polly to quarrel while in Charn?
(Magician’s Nephew)
LEVEL 2: OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Write an insightful question about the text that
will require proof and group discussion and
"construction of logic" to discover or explore
the answer to the question.
Example: Explain why Uncle Andrew believed he
was above the law or rules set for others? (The
Magician’s Nephew)
LEVEL 3: WORLD CONNECTION QUESTIONS
Write a question connecting the text to the real
world.
Example: In what ways does the account of the
creation of Narnia reflect the Biblical account of
creation. How are they similar? How are they
different? (The Magician’s Nephew)