Elements in a Nonfiction Text

Both whales and sea turtles live in the ocean. Whales are very large and sea turtles are small. Both have fins and can swim through the water. Whales have a big tail and sea turtles have a hard shell. They both eat smaller fish. Sea turtles can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes, whereas whales can hold their breath for up to 60 minutes.

What do whales and turtles have in common?

• Both have fins

• Both have a shell

• Both are large

Both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were presidents. George Washington was the country’s first president. He led the country through the Revolutionary War. Abraham Lincoln was the country’s 16^th president. He led the country through the Civil War. Both presidents were born in February.

What do Lincoln and Washington have in common?

• Both were artists

• Both were presidents

• Both were poets

A doctor works in a doctor’s office. A dentist works in a dentist’s office. Both work to keep us healthy. A doctor makes sure our body is healthy and a dentist makes sure our teeth are healthy. Both wear scrubs, but a doctor uses a thermometer and a dentist uses a toothbrush.

What do doctors and dentists have in common?

• Both bake food

• Both play sports

• Both keep us healthy

Zebras and giraffes are both animals that live at the zoo. Zebras have black stripes and giraffes have brown spots. They both eat plants. Zebras eat grass from the ground and giraffes eat leaves from tall trees. Both animals are larger than a dog and have a tail.

What do zebras and giraffes have in common?

• Both have fins

• Both eat plants

• Both have stripes

Dogs and cats are both animals that are kept as pets. Dogs need a leash and cats need catnip. Both dogs and cats need a collar. Dogs are walked outside to go to the bathroom and cats go to the bathroom in a litter box. Both animals like treats and need to eat food and drink water.

What do dogs and cats have in common?

• Both need a leash

• Both need a collar

• Both need a litter box

It is important to do household chores to keep the house clean. For example, when there is dirt in the house we need to clean it. Both a broom and a vacuum clean dirt. The broom does not need electricity and can clean dirt from the kitchen floor. The vacuum does need electricity and can clean dirt from the carpet.

What do brooms and vacuums have in common?

• Both bake things

• Both clean dirt

• Both keep us healthy

Football and cheerleading are both sports that people play in the fall. They both are good examples of exercise. Football players wear a jersey and use a football. Cheerleaders wear a skirt and use pompoms. Both sports practice during the week and play at football games on Friday nights.

What do football and cheerleading have in common?

• Both play at football games

• Both are done in snow

• Both are done at the beach

Both cars and trucks are vehicles that can transport people. Cars are low to the ground. Trucks sit up high. Both cars and trucks have wheels and seatbelts. Cars can carry a couple of people. Trucks have a bed in the back that can move boxes or equipment. Cars and trucks need gasoline to help the motor run.

What do cars and trucks have in common?

• Both need gasoline

• Both need toothbrushes

• Both bake in the oven

Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks are both women who helped fight for rights in America. Susan B. Anthony was active in the 1800s and Rosa Parks was active in the 1900s. Both are considered rights activists. Susan B. Anthony fought for a woman’s right to vote, and Rosa Parks fought for the integration of white and African American people.

What do Susan B. Anthony and Rosa Parks have in common?

• Both were presidents

• Both were poets

• Both were rights activists

There are many famous explorers in the history of the world. Marco Polo and Hernan Cortes are both famous explorers. Marco Polo was active in the 1200s and Hernan Cortes was active in the 1500s. They both traveled by ship to explore. Marco Polo is known for exploring China and Hernan Cortes was known for conquering the Aztec empire.

What do Marco Polo and Hernan Cortes have in common?

• Both were rights activists

• Both were artists

• Both were famous explorers