Compare Contrast Text Structure

Next time you are thirsty, try drinking a glass of water instead of a soda. Although both will quench your thirst, soda is full of sugar and chemicals. Water, on the other hand, is a much healthier choice. Water helps your digestive system to function properly and keeps you immune system strong so you won't get sick.

Which key words tell you this is organized as compare contrast?

• water instead of soda

• on the other hand, although

• and, so

• is a much healthier choice

What does it mean to contrast things?

• look at differences

• look at similarities 

what type of story structure looks at similarities and differences of a text?

• compare and contrast

• sequence

_{^{What two things are being compared in this picture?}}

• apples and oranges

• grapes and bananas

Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors. Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate. Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not. Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake.  What two things are being compared and contrasted?

• chocolate and strawberry ice cream

• vanilla and chocolate ice cream

• pizza and chips

• soda and water

Frogs and toads can live in the water and on the land. They both catch food with long, sticky tongues. They eat insects and small animals. You can tell them apart by their bodies. Frogs have long, strong back legs and thin, moist skin. Toads have shorter back legs and drier skin.  What two things are we comparing?

• legs and twigs

• frogs and toads

• cats and dogs

what does it mean to contrast things?

• look at differences

• look at similarities 

_{what two things are being compared in this picture?}

• minions and spongebob

• houses and trees

Which signal words can help you identify a compare and contrast text structure?

• alike, like, similar, both, unlike, different, however, but, as well

• for instance, for example, such as, also, in fact, to illustrate

• So, because, make, cause, leads to, then...so

• First, second, next, then, finally, last

Which text structure would you use this graphic organizer for?

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause and Effect