Text Structures

Comparison and
Contrast
Comparison and Contrast
Definition: Compares and contrasts the similarities and
differences between two things.

How are dogs and cats different?

How are dogs and cats the same?

Comparison and Contrast

Both change from their

initial liquid form in
order to be consumed.
Cake is baked in Cake and ice cream are Ice cream melts
an oven. both served at certain easily when left
special occasions. at room
People spend
There are many different temperature.
hundreds of
dollars for the varieties and flavors of Ice or a freezer
perfect cake for a these desserts. must to be used
wedding. for ice cream to
be prepared to
eat.
Comparison and Contrast

Both are storms.

Both hurricanes and
tornadoes spin.
Hurricanes occur Hurricanes and Tornadoes can
in or near water. tornadoes can cause happen away from
major damage. large bodies of
Hurricanes can water.
be predicted to People are alerted by
happen more watches or warnings Tornadoes can
ahead of time that the storms can or touch down very
than tornadoes. will occur. quickly, sometimes
without as much
Both have high wind warning as
gusts. hurricanes.
 What are the signal words?
Contrast Compare
different from same as
in contrast alike
although not only…but also
more than either…or
less than likewise
instead of similarly
however similar to
on the other hand compared with
on the contrary as well as
as opposed to resemble
but not
while
unless
 What are the signal words in the following passage?
Chimpanzees and humans are alike in many ways. A baby chimp laughs
when its mother tickles it. After chimpanzees fight, they kiss and make up.
When one chimpanzee comforts another, it gives it a hug or pat on the
back. There are, of course, many ways that chimpanzees and humans are
different. Chimpanzees are smaller and stronger than humans. An adult
male chimpanzee stands three or four feet tall and weighs about 100
pounds. But a chimpanzee can lift more weight than a man who is six feet
tall. Dyck, 2000

Chimps have a People are taller

Both human and
smaller stature than
chimp babies laugh
than humans. chimpanzees.
at being tickled.
Even though
People and The A
kiss each
male other.
human is
they are able to lift less
chimpanzees try to
smaller, chimps weight than
resolve
can lift more. chimps.
disagreements.
 Comparison and Contrast
Compares and contrasts the similarities and differences between
two things

Contrast Compare
Compare
Contrast
same as
different from alike on the other
in contrast not only…but also hand
although either…or on the contrary
more than likewise as opposed to
less than similarly but not
instead of similar to while
however compared with unless
as well as
resemble

(Adapted from Tompkins, 2006)

•As the passage is read, think about the key words. Be
ready to respond to portions where the two topics are
alike and when they are different.
•On your comparison and contrast graphic organizer,
write how the topics are different on the outer part of
the Venn Diagram and how the topics are the same on
the inner portion.
•On the back of your page, compare and contrast
another topic that you have read about.