Compare andContrast

Definition:

CompareWhat two or more things have in common- the similarities

ContrastWhat two or more things don’t have in common- the differences

Purposes:

• It helps you to better comprehend what you read

• It exercises your higher level thinking skills

• It is a skill used in all content areas- science, social studies, unified arts

• It helps in making judgments about the similarities and differences between items/people

Compare Words: similar, in common, alike, compare

Contrast Words: different, contrast, dissimilar

Graphic OrganizerVenn Diagram

Difference #1 Differences #2Sim

ilaritie

s

Example

Snowboard

One Board

No help staying up

Boots are more flexible

Skis

Two Boards

Use Poles to stay up

Boots are rigid

BindingsSnow

EquipmentCan do Tricks

Venn Diagrams

• Simple• Uses general words (called categories) to

describe relationships• Not always detailed enough• Need a new chart to explain categories in

greater detail so we can give evidence• Q:• E:

Short Answer Format: Compare-Contrast Chart

Similarity or Difference?

Category Selection/Item/Character #1

Selection/Item/Character #2

Similarity #1

 Answer:  Quote:Explain:

 Quote:Explain:

Difference #1

 Answer:  Quote:Explain:

 Quote:Explain:

YOU MUST READ THE QUESTION TO SEE WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR CHART!

•Might need Similarity #1 and Similarity #2

•Might need Difference #1 and Difference #2

•Might need Similarity #1 and Difference #1

Example – What are two similarities between skis and snowboards?Similarity or Difference?

Category Selection/Item/Character #1

Selection/Item/Character #2

Similarity #1  Answer:  Quote:Explain:

 Quote:Explain:

Similarity #2  Answer:  Quote:Explain:

 Quote:Explain:

Ski bindings keep you secure by stepping in

Uses rigid boots to help support ankles

Bindings

Boots

Snowboard bindings let you strap in

Flexible boots to allow for body motion

This example has no quote as evidence since it was not from a book

Example – What are two differences between skis and snowboards?Similarity or Difference?

Category Selection/Item/Character #1

Selection/Item/Character #2

Difference  Answer:  Quote:Explain:

 Quote:Explain:

Difference  Answer:  Quote:Explain:

 Quote:Explain:

Skiing requires the use of pole

Skiing – you ride forward and turn sideways

Pole

Riding

Snowboarding does not require a pole

Snowboarding – you always ride sideways

This example has no quote as evidence since it was not from a book, so you have to go with the BEST possible DETAILED explanation.

How do I find a category?• Look for:

– relationships– groups – patterns – traits

• Try to be thoughtful – don’t give obvious or simple answers

Too obvious/simple would be food. Turn to your neighbor and discuss other categories that

they could share – try to be thoughtful and find categories that could be supported with evidence.

Example: What is similar about the following items?An orange and a carrot

Possible answers: healthy foods, things that are orange, things that do not have a smooth surface, items that can be cut or chopped, ingredients used in cooking, foods high in beta carotene

Multiple Choice:

Make sure your answer MATCHES what is asked. Check the text to verify whether items are similarities or differences in characters or ideas

Let’s Practice

• Draw a compare contrast chart and answer the following questions. Make sure to label it with CER.

• What is one difference and one similarity between what happened to the men in The Cyclops’ Cave and in The Lotus Eaters?

• You will need quotes from the Ulysses book.• Hint: Lotus Eaters: Pages 11-14

Cyclops’ Cave: Page. 18-21

Category:

The Men in the Episode

Evidence 1

Lotus Eaters

Evidence 2

Cyclops Cave

Similar C: In this box, find a way the men are similar

E: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER

R: Explain how this quote supports your answer.

E: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER

R: Explain how this quote supports your answer.

Difference C: In this box, find a way the men are different (maybe what happened to them)

E: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER

R: Explain how this quote supports your answer.

E: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER

R: Explain how this quote supports your answer.

This is what your paper should look like.

From Graphic to Response

How to go from a chart to a short answer response…

Talk to your neighbor about a similarity and a difference between a whale and a caribou.

Example Short answer:Whales / Caribou

Similarity

Or

Difference

Category Whales Caribou

How are the whales and eels in the selections similar and different? Use information from each text to support your answer.

Similarity / Difference

Category Whales Caribou

Similarity

Similarity

Difference

Difference

Similarity / Difference

Category Whales Caribou

Similarity C: Must travel south from the Artic to warmer places for the winter

E: Can’t survive the solid ice of the Artic seas during winter

E: Can’t find food through the winter ice

Similarity C: Travel in groups

E: Whales look for traveling companions in the fall

E: Small groups join other small groups to form a large herd

Difference Travel different distances to their migration location

Migrate 6,000 miles

Migrate nearly 600 miles

Difference Travel in different environments

Travel in oceans Travel on land

Similarity: From Graphic to Response

Whales and caribou share two important similarities. (C ) Both animals must travel from the Artic warmer locations for the winter. (E ) Whales can’t survive the solid ice of the Artic seas during the winter. (E ) Caribou can not find enough food to eat under the winter blanket of ice. (C ) Both animals also travel in groups. (E ) The whales look for traveling companions in the fall. (E ) Small groups of caribou join other small groups to form a large herd.

From Graphic to Response

• Although whales and caribou share similarities, they also have several significant differences. (C) While both migrate, they travel different distances to reach their location. (E ) Whales travel 6,000 miles, (E ) while caribou travel just 600 miles. (C ) They also travel in different environments. (E ) Whales swim in the world’s oceans while (E ) caribou travel on land.