Informational Text Understanding Comparison and Contrast

When you compare, you look at two or more things and see how they are the same; when you contrast, you look for differences. Comparison and Contrast Look at these two photographs of eggs. First compare the two photographs. Then contrast them. Using a Venn Diagram

To compare and contrast things, writers use a compare-and-contrast organizational pattern. Writers use one of two methods. Block method The writer discusses all the features of subject 1, then all the features of subject 2. Point-by-point method The writer chooses a feature and shows how it applies to subject 1, then how it applies to subject 2. Comparison and Contrast

To use the block method, discuss all the features of subject 1. Then discuss all the features of subject 2. Topic-eggs Container- basket Container– nest Setting– artificial Setting- natural Topic–eggs Subject 1 Subject 2 Comparison and Contrast

To use the point-by-point method, choose a feature and show how it applies to subject 1. Then show how each feature applies to subject 2. Subject 1 Subject 2 Feature 1 Feature 2 Feature 3 Container- basket Setting– artificial Topic–eggs Topic-eggs Container– nest Setting- natural Comparison and Contrast

photo of eggs contained in a nest contained in basket A Venn diagram can help you sort out and analyze similarities and differences. Comparison and Contrast Using a Venn Diagram artificial setting natural setting

Practice with Venn Diagrams Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast these two types of biking. Comparison and Contrast Reading Focus

Remember, when you compare two or more things, think about how they are the same; when you contrast, you look for differences. These two dragons are the same in some ways and different in other ways. Comparison and Contrast

To compare the dragons of Pern in “The Smallest Dragonboy,” you would look for ways in which the dragons are the same. They all bond with a human for life. They all help defend the planet from the evil Thread. Comparison and Contrast

To contrast the dragons of Pern, you would look for ways in which they are different. Green dragons are small and fast. Brown dragons are large and strong. Only the huge bronze dragons can mate with the queen. Comparison and Contrast

In “Here Be Dragons,” the writer compares and contrasts dragons. Which method does the writer use? Block Method Point-by-Point Method Subject 1: Eastern dragons Feature 1: Behavior Feature 2: Origins Feature 3: Appearance Subject 2: Western dragons Feature 1: Behavior Feature 2: Origins Feature 3: Appearance Feature 1: Behavior Subject 1: Eastern dragons Subject 2: Western dragons Feature 2: Origins Subject 1: Eastern dragons Subject 2: Western dragons Comparison and Contrast

The writer of “Here Be Dragons” uses the block method to compare and contrast Eastern and Western dragons. First she describes features of Eastern Dragons. Then she describes features of Western dragons. Comparison and Contrast In “Here Be Dragons,” the writer compares and contrasts dragons. Which method does the writer use? Block Method Subject 1: Eastern dragons Feature 1: Behavior Feature 2: Origins Feature 3: Appearance Subject 2: Western dragons Feature 1: Behavior Feature 2: Origins Feature 3: Appearance

The End Comparison and Contrast