Compare and Contrast

Compare - to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences; to compare two pieces of literary work (Webster's. p 416)

Contrast - to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of: Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks (Webster's. p 442)

Comparison and contrast are ways of looking at objects and

thinking about how they are alike and different.

Aims and proposed outcomes:

Provide students with a structure they can use to help answer compare and contrast exam questions

• KS3: Students can use the basic elements of the structure • KS4: Students can use the whole structure and are working towards using it

independently• KS5: Students use the structure to give in depth responses independently

Guide staff on this structure so they feel confident in using it to help students

• Staff have an overview and an idea of the aim and progress of the structure• Staff have useable activities they can try for themselves• Staff feel confident to implement the idea with their own classes

Work towards a standardised approach across Redhill School

• Some staff are using the structure with their classes• Most staff are using the structure with their classes• All staff are using the structure with their classes

Organisers

Classifying

Written Response

Organisers

Classifying

Written Response

Same/Different Organisers

A are amphibians G have a brain M hatch from an egg

B have a back bone H dry, warty skin N have a heart

C adults have lungs I slimy, smooth skin O poison glands behind eyes

D the young have gills J lay eggs in clusters P have no teeth

E jump K lay eggs in chains Q have teeth in top jaw

F walk L bulging eyes R the young live in water

Frogs Toads

Madonna

Spice Girls

Sex Pistols

Rugby Football

Organisers

Classifying

Written Response

Frogs ToadsA

B C

D E

FG

H

I

J

K

L

M

N O

P

Q

(R)

Appearance

Actions

Reproduction

Anatomy

(E)(F)

Madonna

Spice Girls

Sex Pistols

Compare and Contrast Connectives

Organisers

Classifying

Written Response

Words to show that things are similarSimilarly

Equally

Likewise

As with

Like

In the same way

Also

Both

Words to show that things are differentWhereas

On the other hand

Instead of

Alternatively

Otherwise

Unlike

However

But

Although

In contrast

Compare and Contrast Connectives

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 98

1 Whereas

2 Similarly

3 both

4 In contrast

5 Equally

6 Instead of

7 however

8 similar

9 unlike

Writing simple sentences

Madonna

Spice Girls

Sex Pistols

How similar were the Titanic and the Twin Towers?

Writing paragraphs

D. There are clearly differences and similarities between the Titanic and the Twin Towers. The Titanic was an event at sea unlike the Twin Towers which took place on land.

E. These two events have a number of differences. The Titanic sank due to natural causes unlike the Twin Towers which were destroyed by human action when terrorists flew two planes into them. They also differ as their timing and location are not the same. The Titanic happened at sea in the 20th Century; alternatively the Twin Towers was on land in New York in the 21st Century. However, there are definitely some similarities. Both the Titanic and the Twin Towers were the biggest of their type when they were built. The Titanic was a massive ship that they said could not sink. The Towers were the tallest buildings in the world. Similarly, many lives were lost in both events. Over 1,500 died when the Titanic sank and over 2,700 died when the Towers fell.

Developing written responses

2. Just describes the two events but doesn’t compare directly

5. Briefly mentions some similarities or differences but not both

3. Mentions some similarities and differences but doesn’t explain them fully

1. Mentions some similarities and differences and explains them fully. Good use of connectives

4. Mentions similarities and differences, good use of connectives + structures the answer

Your Thoughts / Overview

Organisers

Classifying

Written Response

Aims

Provide students with a structure they can use to help answer compare and contrast exam questions

Guide staff on this structure so they feel confident in using it to help students

Work towards a standardised approach across Redhill School