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Why do we compare and contrast?What are the three main types of compare and contrast paragraphs?Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationCompare and Contrast

1Compare and ContrastAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationComparing and contrasting are ways of looking at objects and thinking about how they are alike and different.

For instance, all of these items are alike because they are kinds of food, but there are many ways that they are different. For instance, they belong to different food groups. Some must be cooked before eating, and some can be eaten raw.

When you write compare and contrast, you will pay attention to these kinds of details.

2Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationThere are two main reasons that people use comparison and contrast:

1. To Explain--You might compare and contrast kinds of food, for instance, to help someone understand which food need to be refrigerated and which can be stored in a cabinet or in a bowl on the counter.

2. To Evaluate--You might compare and contrast kinds of food to show why one kind of food or brand of food is better than another. For example, apples are a better snack than butter.

3Compare - Look for SimilaritiesAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationWhen you choose items to compare and contrast, make sure that you choose items that have similarities.

You have to choose things that will make sense for comparison and contrast. For instance, it wouldn't make sense to compare a truck with crayons or crayons with a birdhouse.

Be sure to compare things that belong together. Compare crayons to pencils or pens, or compare trucks and cars.

4Compare - Look for SimilaritiesAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationWhen you compare items, you look for their similarities--the things that make them the same.

For example:Apples and oranges are both fruit.They're both foods.Both are made into juice.Both grow on trees.

5Contrast Look at DifferencesAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationWhen you contrast items, you look at their differences.

For example: Apples are red. Oranges are orange. The fruits have different textures.Oranges need a warmer place to grow, like Florida. Apples can grow in cooler states, like Washington.

6Comparing Every DayAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationYou probably use comparison all the time. Maybe you want to buy some candy, so you go to the store and look at all of the candy that is available.

You can't buy all the candy, so you have to narrow down your choices.

You compare and contrast the different kinds of candy so that you can make your decision.

7Comparing Every DayAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationYou can compare the kinds of candy by looking at the things that makes the candy alike. All of the candy is sweet.All of the candy is fattening.

8Comparing Every DayAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationYou also contrast the candies to show how they are different.Some of the candy is chocolate. Some is hard candy.Some pieces of the candy have a filling, like caramel or jelly. Some do not.Some of the candy can be broken into smaller pieces while the others are harder to divide if you want to share.

9Graphic OrganizersAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationGraphic organizers are useful tools for gathering details about the items that you are comparing and contrasting.

Venn Diagrams help you think about where the various characteristics of the items being compared and contrasted fit.

The Compare and Contrast Chart is more like a listing tool, where you can brainstorm a list of ways that the items are alike and different.12alikedifferent10Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationHow are they alike?sweetfatteningHow are they different?Type of candy

Chocolate bars

Jelly beans

Candy caneType of filling

chocolatejellypeppermintShare or not?

yesyesno11Compare and Contrast in WritingAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationCompare and contrast is used in writing to organize an individual paragraph as well as to organize entire papers.

For instance, you might write a paper that compares a movie and a book about the same topic. In your paper you can compare and contrast the movie version with the book version.

12Ready to Write?Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationThere are four main things to pay attention to as you write a compare and contrast paper:

Supporting DetailsBalanceOrganizationTransitions

131. Supporting DetailsAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationSet your purpose for writing. To explain help the reader understand how the items are the same and differentTo evaluate persuade the reader that one is better than the otherGather an equal amount of details and examples for each item and place these on a graphic organizer.Only include information that relates to what is being compared.

142. Balance your WritingAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationMake sure give equal time to each item that you are comparing and contrasting.

If you cover character, setting, and historical accuracy for the book, for instance, you need to be sure that you cover the same elements for the movie.

bookmovie153. OrganizationAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationThere are three ways to organize comparison and contrast papers:Whole-to-WholeSimilarities-to-DifferencesPoint-by-Point

16Whole-to-WholeAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationUse a separate section or paragraph for each item you're discussing.

To compare and contrast a book and a movie, the section for Item #1 would include everything about the book and the section for Item #2 would cover everything about the movie.

The points in each of the sections should be the same and they should be explained in the same order (for instance, you might discuss character, setting, and plot for both a book and movie, and in that order for both).17How are they alike?Both showed interest in magic tricksBoth were with friendsHow are they different?Compare and Contrast 2 Characters:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: KenItem 2: Susandid a magic trick using strawsshowed how her dog could subtract#1, #2 18Compare & Contrast 2 Characters:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading Association#1, #2 (Reading for Details)19Now you try itAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading Association#3, #420How are they alike?Both characters lost their homesBoth characters need a true friendHow are they different?Sample C/C Chart:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: PamItem 2: JordanHer home caught on fireThey lost everything Kelsee said she would help PamKelsee is a true friendHer dad lost his jobThey had to move to a smaller homeHer old friends were not true friendsShe needed a true friend#3, #421Sample Compare & Contrast:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading Association#3, #422Similarities-to-DifferencesAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationIn this structure, you use a separate section or paragraph for similarities and differences. You would explain all the similarities about the items being compared and then explain all the differences.

For instance, you might explain that the characters and plot were similar in both the book and movie in the one section.

In the next section, you could explain that the settings were different. The book took place during the summer while the movie took place during the winter.

23How are they alike?go out to gather news come back to the news office to workHow are they different?Compare and Contrast 2 jobs:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: newspaper reporterItem 2: newspaper photographerTalks to peopleTakes notesWrites the storyTakes many picturesDevelops pictures15 minutes Chooses 1-2 picturesCompare & Contrast 2 Jobs:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationIntroThe newspaper reporter and the newspaper photographer work for the same goal but have different responsibilities.

SimilarThe reporter and the photographer both gather important parts of the story and then come back to the newspaper office to work on the news story.

DifferentThe reporter talks to people to get information. He uses the notes gathered to write the newspaper story. In contrast, the photographer takes many pictures of one event. He chooses one or two pictures for the newspaper. The photographers pictures are developed in about 15 minutes, but it is hard to tell how long the reporter will need to write.ConclusionThe newspaper reporter and the photographer have similar jobs, but there are some differences.

#5, #625Now you try itAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading Association#7, #826How are they alike?Both characters are greedyBoth learned that magic did not make them happyHow are they different?Compare and Contrast 2 themes:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: King MidasItem 2: lazy man in Denmarkwants more goldis granted a wisheverything turns to golddaughter turns to goldwants his daughter backfather diesleaves a magic carpetflies to distant landsteals Sultans jewelsflies back homejewels fall into sea

#7, #827Point by PointAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationPoint-by-Point Strategy In this structure, you explain one point of comparison before moving to the next point. For instance, you would write about the characters in the book and movie for Point 1; then you would write about the setting in the book and movie in Point 2. Point-by-Point comparison and contrast uses a separate section or paragraph for each point.For consistency, begin with the same item in each section of your point-by-point paper. For instance, for each point that you discuss, explain the information about the book first and then about the movie. Compare and Contrast 2 themes:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: The Boy Who Cried WolfItem 2: Zach and Egyptian RelicCharacterShepherdTricks peopleZachtakes in a relic for history projecttells his class the relic is realSettinghistory class in present timesGenrefablerealistic fictionThemeliedNo one will trust you if you lie.Problem?

#9, #1029Compare and Contrast 2 themes:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: The Boy Who Cried WolfItem 2: Zach and Egyptian RelicCharacterShepherdsays a wolf is attacking sheeptries to trick townspeopleZachtakes in a relic for history projecttells his class the relic is realSettingcountryside history class in present timesGenrefablerealistic fictionThemePeople may stop helping you if you lie.No one will trust you if you lie.#9, #1030Compare & Contrast 2 Themes:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationIntroThese stories may not seem related, but the theme is quite similar.

Point 1The characters in these two passages have different responsibilities, but they are both deceitful. The shepherd lies to the townspeople, and Zach tells the class that the relic is real.Point 2The setting and genre is different in these stories. The Boy Who Cried Wolf is an old fable set in the countryside, while the story of Zach and the Egyptian Relic could take place in modern days.Point 3Both characters find there is a consequence for their lying. The shepherd must deal with the angry townspeople, and Zach realizes no one will trust him again when they find out about his lie.ConclusionEven though the setting is very different in these two passages, both characters learn that lying will eventually come back and get you. Now you try itAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading Association#11, #1232Sample Compare and Contrast 2 themes:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationItem 1: Sams ReportItem 2: Ride the Red CycleCharactersSam - nervousMrs. Owens - reassuringJerome - has a disability, feels embarrassed and trappedTilly sister, tries to helpPoint of View1st person 3rd personConflictCharacter vs. selfHas to speak in front of classCharacter vs. selfWants to speak up and say what he wants on his ownThemeWhen you try something you are afraid to do, it might turn out to be easier than you expected.If you really want to do something, and keep trying, you will be able to do it!#11, #12334. Transition WordsAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationIn compare and contrast writing, transition words tell a reader that the writer is changing from talking about one item to the other.

Transitional words and phrases help make a paper smoother and more coherent by showing the reader the connections between the ideas that are being presented.

34Transition Words for ComparingAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationWhen you're comparing items, using a transition from this list will signal to readers that you're changing from one item to the next and it will also tell the reader that the two items are similar.

Here are some examples: The characters in the movie were very similar to the characters in the book.

Both the characters in the movie and in the book were interested in detective work.alsoasas well asboth in the same mannerin the same waylikelikewisemost importantsamesimilarsimilarlythe same astoo

35Transition Words for ContrastAdapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationOn the other hand, using one of the transitions from this list of words will signal readers that the two items you're discussing are different.

Here are some examples: The setting in the book was summer while the setting in the movie was winter.

The events in the book took place during several afternoons, although the events in the movie took place during the evening.althoughbutdiffereven though howeverin contrastinsteadneverthelesson the contraryon the other handunlessunlikewhileyet

36Lesson Essential Questions:Adapted from ReadWriteThink.org International Reading AssociationWhy do we compare and contrast?What are the three main types of compare and contrast paragraphs?

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