Finding how two or more things are alike and how they are different is called comparing and contrasting.  Comparing is finding how people, places, objects, and events are alike.  Contrasting is finding how they are different.

Introduction to Reading Skills: Text Structure - Compare and Contrast Video

Introduction to Reading Skills: Compare and Contrast Nonfiction Texts VIDEO

 Clue words that signal how things are alike are both, same, like, alike, and similar.

• Clue words that signal how things are different are but, unlike, different, however, and whereas.
• If there are no clue words in a reading passage to signal a comparison or contrast, think about the people, places, objects, or events you read about.  Ask yourself, “How are they alike?  How are they different?”

 Some questions ask you to find how two things are alike or different.  This is called compare and contrast, or finding likenesses and differences.  Questions that ask you to compare or contrast usually contain key words such as most like, different, alike, or similar.

 Strategy: Compare and Contrast

 Finding how two or more things are alike and how they are different is called comparing and contrasting.  Comparing is finding how people, places, objects, and events are alike.  Contrasting is finding how they are different.  This can be fun J 

Clue words that signal how things are alike are:  BOTH  SAME  LIKE  ALIKE  SIMILAR

Clue words that signal how things are different are:  BUT  UNLIKE  DIFFERENT  HOWEVER  WHEREAS

If there are no clue words in a reading passage to single a comparison or contrast, think about the people, places, objects, or events you read about.  Ask yourself, “How are they alike?” “How are they different?”