Compare and Compare and ContrastContrastWhat is it? Why is it What is it? Why is it

important?important?

Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

The STAAR:The STAAR:

The student recognizes the use of The student recognizes the use of comparison and contrast in a text. comparison and contrast in a text.

Important Vocabulary and Important Vocabulary and DefinitionsDefinitions

• Compare: Finding how two or more Compare: Finding how two or more things are alike. Clue words that tell things are alike. Clue words that tell how things are alike; how things are alike; same, like, same, like, both, alike, still, likewise, in the same both, alike, still, likewise, in the same ways, in comparisons, at the same ways, in comparisons, at the same time, in the same manner, and time, in the same manner, and similar.similar.

Contrast: Finding how things are different. Clue words that tell how things are different; but, unlike, different, however, on the other hand, yet, nevertheless, conversely, rather, on the contrary, nonetheless, and whereas.

  People, places, objects, and events can all

be compared and contrasted.   Comparing and contrasting text is one of

the most challenging critical reading skills to acquire because it requires evaluating and synthesizing.

  

Graphic Organizers:Graphic Organizers:

• Venn DiagramVenn Diagram

• Three column notesThree column notes

• Character mapping/Double BubbleCharacter mapping/Double Bubble

• Semantic Feature Analysis Semantic Feature Analysis

Application of Strategy:Application of Strategy:

• Compare and contrast two events, Compare and contrast two events, characters, settings, or ideas in a selectioncharacters, settings, or ideas in a selection

• Identify compare and contrast statements Identify compare and contrast statements and clue words in a given textand clue words in a given text

• Write similes, metaphors, and analogies Write similes, metaphors, and analogies that compare and contrast two or more that compare and contrast two or more thingsthings

• Demonstrate the results of compare and Demonstrate the results of compare and contrast in a graphic organizercontrast in a graphic organizer

    

Critical Thinking Questions:Critical Thinking Questions:

• How did the author help readers learn How did the author help readers learn new ideas by comparing and contrasting?new ideas by comparing and contrasting?

• What text-to-text, text-to-world, or text-What text-to-text, text-to-world, or text-to-self connections can you make?to-self connections can you make?

• What similes, metaphors, or analogies What similes, metaphors, or analogies did the author use to make comparisons?did the author use to make comparisons?

• What ideas did the author compare and What ideas did the author compare and contrast?contrast?

A Critical Thinking Skill, the A Critical Thinking Skill, the Rationale:Rationale:

Comparing and contrasting text is a Comparing and contrasting text is a critical thinking skill. Mastering the critical thinking skill. Mastering the skill leads students toward skill leads students toward proficiency in reading, writing, proficiency in reading, writing, analyzing problems and making analyzing problems and making decisions. decisions.

Venn DiagramVenn Diagram

What is it? A Venn diagram is an What is it? A Venn diagram is an graphic organizer that allows you to graphic organizer that allows you to create a visual map that contains create a visual map that contains two overlapping circles enabling you two overlapping circles enabling you to organize your thinking as you to organize your thinking as you compare and contrast information in compare and contrast information in text. text.

  

Double Bubble Thinking Double Bubble Thinking MapsMaps

When comparing and contrasting we use double When comparing and contrasting we use double bubble maps. This is similar in concept to a Venn bubble maps. This is similar in concept to a Venn diagram. Two items being compared are written diagram. Two items being compared are written in the two center circles. Outside bubbles display in the two center circles. Outside bubbles display items that share qualities with only one object-items that share qualities with only one object-these are contrasting qualities. Center bubbles these are contrasting qualities. Center bubbles that connect to both circles show similarities that connect to both circles show similarities between the two items being compared. between the two items being compared.

  http://www.thinkingmaps.com/httmexam.php3

Double Bubble MapDouble Bubble Map

FYI…FYI…

5th grade: 5th grade: 70% of the STAAR questions use expository 70% of the STAAR questions use expository text text

  Key Questions:Key Questions:How are ___ and ___ alike?How are ___ and ___ alike?

How are you like ___ (person)?How are you like ___ (person)?How is your family like ___’s (person’s) family?How is your family like ___’s (person’s) family?What did ___ and ___ (person or animal) do that is alike? What did ___ and ___ (person or animal) do that is alike? ( can compare 3)( can compare 3)

Think about ___ and ___ (people) in the story. How are they Think about ___ and ___ (people) in the story. How are they alike? alike?

How are they different? How are they different?