Compare and Contrast Two Texts on the Same Topic
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Basics on the topic Compare and Contrast Two Texts on the Same Topic
When we compare and contrast two texts on the same topic, we look at the similarities and differences between them. We can then record these on a chart. In this video, learn about how to compare two texts about sharks.
Transcript Compare and Contrast Two Texts on the Same Topic
"Last one in the water is a rotten egg!" "Pearl wait! Is that a shark!? "Well, yeah, they do live in the ocean. What's the big deal?" Let's learn more about sharks by comparing and contrasting two texts on the same topic. A nonfiction text is a text that tells you real and true information about a certain topic. A topic is what the text is about. When you compare and contrast in reading, you are looking for things that are the same and things that are different. Let's read two texts about sharks to learn more about them. Afterwards, we'll talk about their similarities and differences! The first text says, 'Sharks are fish that have been around for longer than dinosaurs! Some are as short as a pencil or as long as a bus. Sharks like to hunt at dawn and sunset, and can have between fifty and three hundred teeth.' The second text says, 'Sharks like to eat at dawn and dusk. Most sharks are carnivores which means they are meat-eaters. Sharks do not like to eat humans; in fact, humans in certain countries catch and eat them! Usually, if a shark attacks a human it is because they are curious or confused.' We can compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the shark texts using a venn diagram. First, we'll note the similarities in the middle. What is the same or similar about these texts? They both talk about sharks and tell us that they like to eat at dawn and dusk. Now let's look at the differences and note them from the first text here and the second text here. What is different between these texts? The first text says sharks are fish that have been around for longer than dinosaurs, some are very short or very long, and that they have lots of teeth so we'll write these here. The second text says, most sharks are carnivores, they don't like to eat humans, some humans eat them, and usually, if a shark attacks a human it is because they are curious or confused, so we'll write those here. The Venn diagram shows us that both texts are about sharks. But, the first text is facts about what a shark looks like and their characteristics. The second text is about shark behaviour. Before we see if Pearl and Otis will go in the water, let's remember! Remember, we can compare and contrast texts about the same topic to find what's the same or what's different! You can do this by using an organiser like a Venn diagram to help compare the similarities and differences. "Oh okay! So the sharks don't actually mean to eat humans! Let's get in then Pearl!" "Otis, I think you're forgetting we're not human." "Right, um, let's add another tower and courtyard to our castle instead!" It looks like this shark is a vegetarian!
Compare and Contrast Two Texts on the Same Topic exercise
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What is a non-fiction text?
HintsIf the text is talking about things that actually happened, real people or factual information, it's likely to be non-fiction.
Non-fiction texts have a purpose to inform, explain or persuade.
SolutionA non-fiction text is a writing that presents factual information about real people, events or topics.
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What is the meaning of the terms 'compare' and 'contrast'?
HintsWhen comparing, focus on identifying similar characteristics, features or qualities between two or more things.
When contrasting, pay attention to the unique aspects that distinguish them.
SolutionComparing means:
- finding similarities or likenesses
- identifying common characteristics
- highlighting shared aspects.
Contrasting means:
- finding differences
- identifying unique characteristics
- highlighting distinctions.
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What method should Otis and Pearl use to compare and contrast information about sharks?
HintsThink about what strategies of comparison you could use that will allow you to see what is similar and different in texts.
Start by identifying and recording the similarities between the two items in one circle, then move on to the unique characteristics in each separate circle.
SolutionOtis and Pearl decide to compare and contrast the information about sharks by using a Venn diagram.
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How can a Venn diagram be helpful in comparing and contrasting information?
HintsThe overlapping part of a Venn diagram represents the similarities or commonalities between the compared items.
If there's an element or trait in the overlapping section, it means it is shared by both.
The non-overlapping sections of the circles in a Venn diagram are used for representing the unique characteristics or differences between the items being compared.
SolutionA Venn diagram can be helpful by organising information in a visual way that shows similarities in the overlapping section and differences in the separate sections.
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Compare and contrast the sport choices of Mia and Jake.
HintsWhen comparing and contrasting, pay attention to specific details that highlight the similarities and differences between the subjects.
Mia likes to score goals and Jake likes to shoot hoops. This is the way they both score points in their games.
Mia and Jake play their sports in different places.
SolutionSimilarities
- Enjoy ball sports.
- Score points.
- Likes playing football outside.
- Likes playing basketball inside.
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Can you compare and contrast the information?
HintsWhen comparing two things, pay attention to words that show what is the same (like, both, same) and what is different (unlike, different).
Read carefully and look for where it says what Mia does and what Jake does.
There are 5 things that both Mia and Jake do and then 3 more things that they do each.
SolutionBoth
- Love to make fruit salad.
- Use a big bowl.
- Start with berries.
- Add apple and banana.
- Top with fig.
- Puts strawberries in.
- Adds grapes.
- Adds satsumas.
- Puts blueberries in.
- Adds pear.
- Adds cherries.
