Compare and Contrast

Which graphic organizer can be used for comparing and contrasting?

Cinderella is kind, sweet, and charming, while her step sisters are mean and cruel. How are Cinderella and her step sisters different?

Kate lived in a large house with many animals. Her best friend, Jill, lived in a small house without pets. How were the friends' homes different?

The Fourth of July and Veteran's Day are both U.S. holidays. However, the Fourth of July celebrates our independence and Veteran's Day celebrates military veterans. How are these holidays different?

Horses and donkeys are two very similar animals. But they also have their differences. For example, a horse has short ears but a donkey has long ears. Another difference is that horses are typically larger than donkeys. Yet they are both four legged hoofed mammals.

What is one thing that horses and donkeys have in common?

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 is something that shows contrast between frogs and toads?

Identify the key word that tells whether you are comparing or contrasting.

Unlike most vehicles, some older Volkswagens have their engine in the back.

Which of these key words can signal contrast?

Which of these key words can signal comparison?

The middle is how they are . . .

The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story is called the

The "big idea" of the story or what it's mostly about.