Compare and Contract Two Texts Review ELA.3.R.3.3

Reading Review
ELA.3.R.3.3 - Compare and contrast how two authors present information on the same topic or theme.

By Alex Meads

Contrast means to find differences between things

Contrast

Compare means to find similarities between things

Compare

What Does Compare and Contrast Mean?

When we compare and contrast authors, we look at how they tell their stories differently.
Think of it like looking at two different pictures of the same thing.

Why Do Authors Write Differently?

Every author has their own special way of writing.

Authors have different:

• Writing styles

• Opinions

• Experiences

• Ways of explaining things

Looking for Similarities

Both authors might:

• Use the same facts

• Share similar opinions

• Tell the story in the same order

• Use similar words
  Example: Two books about dolphins might both talk about how they breathe air

Multiple Choice

What fact do both texts share?

• the need for a clean tank

• living in natural environments like oceans

• turtles' long lifespan

• the ecological role of turtles

Finding Differences

Authors might have:

• Different main points

• Different examples

• Different text structures

• Different opinions
  Example: One author might focus on how dolphins play, while another focuses on what they eat

Multiple Choice

Which example is mentioned in Text 1 that is not found in Text 2?

A) Turtles can live for over 50 years.
B) Turtles eat vegetables and special turtle food.
C) Turtles help maintain balance in their ecosystems.
D) Turtles have hard shells that protect them.

• Turtles can live for over 50 years.

• Turtles eat vegetables and special turtle food.

• Turtles help maintain balance in their ecosystems.

• Turtles have hard shells that protect them.

Reading Tools

Use these tools when comparing authors:

• Highlight similar ideas in yellow

• Highlight different ideas in blue

• Make notes in the margins

• Use a Venn diagram to organize your thoughts

Open Ended

What notes would I write if I was trying to compare these texts?

Open Ended

What notes would I write if I was trying to contrast these texts?

Tips for Success

• Read both texts carefully
  • Look for key words and main ideas
  • Ask yourself:

  • What are both authors trying to tell me?

  • How are their messages the same or different?

  • Which details does each author include?

Hotspot

Complete the table to show whether each item is in text 1, text 2 or both.

Hotspot

Complete the table to show whether each item is in text 1, text 2 or both.

Multiple Choice

In Text 2, why does the author include the detail about caterpillars eating "20 times their body weight"?

• to help explain how much food caterpillars need for growth

• to show that caterpillars are very messy when they eat

• to describe how caterpillars choose their favorite leaves

• to explain why caterpillars need special feeding times

Multiple Choice

What is the central idea of Text 1?

• The life cycle of a butterfly is a beautiful, step-by-step process

• Mother butterflies are careful about where they lay their eggs

• Caterpillars spend most of their time searching for leaves

• Butterflies need special conditions to fly properly each day