Compare and Contrast

Definition: Compare What two or more things have in common- the similarities Contrast What 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 Organizer Venn Diagram Difference #1 Differences #2 Similarities

Example Snowboard One Board No help staying up Boots are more flexible Skis Two Boards Use Poles to stay up Boots are rigid Bindings Snow Equipment Can 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? CategorySelection/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? CategorySelection/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?CategorySelection/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 A Q E. 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 Cyclops’ Cave: Page

Category: The Men in the Episode Evidence 1 Lotus Eaters Evidence 2 Cyclops Cave SimilarA: In this box, find a way the men are similar Q: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER E: Explain how this quote supports your answer. Q: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER E: Explain how this quote supports your answer. DifferenceA: In this box, find a way the men are different (maybe what happened to them) Q: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER E: Explain how this quote supports your answer. Q: Give TEXT based evidence to support. AND PAGE NUMBER E: Explain how this quote supports your answer. This is what your paper should look like.