Compare and Contrast Theme 3 Lesson 11 & 12

What is the purpose? Authors of fiction texts may show the relationships between characters, settings, or plot events by pointing out how they are alike and how they are different. Authors of nonfiction texts use this to organize ideas. In this text structure, the author shows how two or more ideas are alike and different. When you recognize this text structure in nonfiction text, you can better understand what you read.

Compare Tell how things are the same. Words such as and, both, too, like, and similarly signal a comparison.

Contrast Tell how things are different. The words but, unlike, although, while, and nevertheless signal a contrast

What to do now? Often, a Venn Diagram can be used to organize compare and contrast relationships.

Example Each weekend, Maya and Bo go sailing with their dad. They look forward to the outing all week. Maya loves to sit on the deck of the boat and feel the wind and salt spray on her face. Unlike Maya, Bo enjoys staying in the cabin and playing his guitar. Maya and Bo usually take their pet dogs on the boat. The two dogs behave like their owners— Lulu enjoys the wind, while Frankie rests in the cabin.