The primary goal of a debate is to successfully argue a point over an opponent. Debates can either be formal or informal. During a debate, both parties listen to the overall arguments (and evidence that supports those arguments) made by the other party. Debaters aim to counter arguments, devalue or discount evidence and steer the debate to their points.
One of the most commonly featured debates in the United States is the general election debate for the major party presidential candidates. Held every four years, the debates allow citizens and residents of the United States to hear from the major party nominees. The stakes in these debates are extremely high, as debate winners often receive favorable press and improved poll numbers. Other debate venues include high school debate teams and even debates held during class sessions in high school or college.
A dialogue is distinct from debates in several crucial ways. Where debates are used for a debater to successfully defeat his opponent, dialogues do not serve this goal. The overall goal of a dialogue is to increase the understanding of an issue. They are designed for people who have different frames of reference (such as a mindset or worldview). In a dialogue, a person listens to another person to understand his perspective. She asks questions, admits that someone else's perspective improves her own, and searches for the strengths on the other's position.
Dialogue is used to build trust and is useful in a variety of circumstances. For example, dialogue is helpful in increasing trust among friends who have a conflict. It is also useful in more formal situations, such as resolving a conflict in an employment situation. Even though dialogue may not be seen as adversarial as debates, they are not necessarily meant to be "nice." Instead, they are meant to be effective in resolving a conflict or understanding an issue.