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Compare
& Contrast
Compare-contrast
is the process of identifying how things are alike and different.
Comparison refers to how two things are alike; contrast refers to
how they are different. This is one of the most difficult text structures
for students to understand because it requires evaluating and synthesizing.
In addition, it has many variations, which can often be confusing
to students. Texts that students encounter are often a combination
of different compare-contrast structures.
Teaching
Strategies that have been found effective in teaching the compare-contrast
text structure include:
- Teaching
the vocabulary that signals the compare-contrast structures. Some
compare signal words are: similar, like, still, likewise, in the
same ways, in comparison, at the same time, in the same manner.
Some contrast signal words are: however, on the other hand, but,
yet, nevertheless, conversely, rather, on the contrary, nonetheless,
in contrast.
- Teaching
the two general kinds of compare-contrast structures, for example:
- The
whole-to-whole (divided) pattern of comparison (A+B), i.e.,
the first thing is discussed in entirety, and then the second
thing is discussed.
- The
part-to-part (alternating) pattern of comparison (A/B + A/B),
i.e., elements of the first thing are discussed, then elements
of the second. This process is then repeated.
- Teaching
the use of graphic organizers
while reading and writing.
We
have created a tutorial for students to help them understand and
work with the compare-contrast structure. Go to Help
Lee Decide to try it out.
Sites
That Matter
Check
out the sites below for more information on helping students use
compare-contrast as a text structure in reading and writing.
General
Information on Compare and Contrast
Learning
Tip #26: Comparison Strategies Support Reading, Writing, and Learning
This is an excellent basic introduction to the concept of compare
and contrast. It spells out a number of teacher strategies: experiences
and discussion, children's literature, Venn diagram, data chart,
analogy strategy, recognizing text patterns while reading, and a
class comparison summary that parents and teachers can use to help
children compare things.
www.kidbibs.com/learningtips/lt26.htm
#Recognizing%20Text%20Patterns%20While%20Reading
Teaching
the Compare/Contrast Essay: Rewards and Resources
This site is the best place to start on the Web to explore the compare-contrast
text structure. It includes resources for how to teach, charts,
articles on how to organize compare-contrast paragraphs and essays,
and a sample rubric.
7-12educators.about.com/library/
weekly/aa032201a.htm
Comparison/Contrast
Essays
This web site describes the four ways to organize a compare-contrast
essay and provides sample essays using each one: 1) Write about
one topic in its entirety and then the other, compare, and then
contrast (or vice versa). 2) Write about one part of one topic,
and then write about one part of the other topic. Then repeat this
process. 3) Write about only the comparable and contrastable elements
of each idea. 4) Only compare or only contrast.
leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/comparcontrast.html
Lesson
Plans on Compare and Contrast
Comparing
and Contrasting
Prentice Hall School provides a web page that uses a science example
to teach the compare-contrast structure. It includes a simple exercise
for students to do online comparing two different kinds of cells.
www.phschool.com/science/biosurf/
superread/unit4/4strategy2.html
Teaching
the Compare/Contrast Essay
This is a simple, well-organized lesson plan that provides step-by-step
directions for writing a compare-contrast essay and paragraph. It
includes a proofreading guide and a compare-contrast rubric.
www.tnellen.com/cybereng/rubric/c&c.htm
Compare
and Contrast
This site offers a simple lesson for 5th graders that uses the example
of comparing soccer and basketball. It also provides directions
for writing a compare-contrast paper.
www.geocities.com/fifth_grade_tpes/
compare_contrast.html
Comparing
and Contrasting Journals
This page is a middle-school level lesson that has students compare
journals of two different explorers.
www.everestquest.com/read5.htm
Teachers'
Handbook of Lesson Plans
This is a lesson with sample biographical paragraphs to compare
and a usable diagram.
www.floridatechnet.org/ged/LessonPlans/
LanguageArtsReading/ReadingLesson17.pdf
Picture
This
This is a math lesson that focuses on compare-contrast using variations
of shutter speed in photography.
teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/
lessonplans/picturethis.htm
Compare and Contrast
Teacher Tools
Compare
and Contrast Diagram
Reading Quest offers a printable handout for graphing the compare-contrast
text structure. It is especially useful for younger students.
curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/
readquest/pdf/compare.pdf
Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers
This section of the publisher's web site contains free downloadable graphic organizers within eight different categories, including compare and contrast. Each graphic organizer also includes teaching notes with accompanying lessons and tips for using graphic organizers in the classroom.
my.hrw.com/nsmedia/intgos/html/igo.htm
Comparison-Contrast
Organizers
This web site shows different graphical ways to organize compare-contrast
essays. It explains column, matrix, and Venn organizers and gives
a general sample and specific example of each.
muskingum.edu/~cal/database/general/
organization.html#Comparison
Thinking
Maps: Examples
This site has a sample of a double bubble map, which allows for
showing both the similarities and differences at the same time.
www.thinkingmaps.com/httmexam.php3
Compare
and Contrast Student Tutorials
Help
Lee Decide
Literacy Matters has created a tutorial for students to help them
understand and work with the compare-contrast text structure.
www.literacymatters.org/18under/helplee.htm
Comparing
and Contrasting
Prentice Hall School provides a web page that uses a science example
to teach the compare-contrast structure. It includes a simple exercise
for students to do online comparing two different kinds of cells.
www.phschool.com/science/biosurf/
superread/unit4/4strategy2.html
THE
PRACTICE: Understanding Text Structures
The Knowledge Loom offers an excellent introductory page on text
structures that suggests strategies, resources, and questions to
think about. knowledgeloom.org/practice_basedoc.jsp?t=
1&bpid=1208&aspect=1&location=2&parentid=1197&
bpinterid=1197&spotlightid=1174
Compare
& Contrast
This tutorial is for grade 3 and other students who need reinforcement
with practice quizzes.
www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/
palmasola/rcccon1.htm
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