Informational Text

Understanding Comparison and Contrast

 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.

Look at these two

photographs of
eggs. First
compare the two
photographs. Then
contrast them.
Using a Venn Diagram
 Comparison and Contrast

To compare and contrast things, writers use a

compare-and-contrast organizational pattern.
Writers use one of two methods.

Block method Point-by-point method

The writer discusses The writer chooses a
all the features of feature and shows how it
subject 1, then all the applies to subject 1, then
features of subject 2. 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
Topic–eggs

Subject 1 Container–
Container-
Subject 2 nest
basket
Setting-
Setting– natural
artificial
 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

Topic–eggs Topic-eggs
Feature 1

Container- Container–
basket Feature 2 nest

Setting– Feature 3 Setting-

artificial natural
 Comparison and Contrast

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?
Point-by-Point
Block Method Method
Subject 1: Eastern dragons Feature 1: Behavior
Feature 1: Behavior Subject 1: Eastern dragons
Feature 2: Origins Subject 2: Western dragons
Feature 3: Appearance
Feature 2: Origins
Subject 2: Western dragons Subject 1: Eastern dragons
Feature 1: Behavior Subject 2: Western dragons
Feature 2: Origins
Feature 3: Appearance
Comparison and Contrast

The End