Compare/Contrast
Text Structure
Texts that compare and contrast look
at the similarities and differences of
more than one main idea.
Compare and contrast
signal words
• When authors use the text
structure of compare and
contrast, they often use special
signal words to show this text
structure.
• Can you find the signal
words in the following
paragraph?
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
(Without reading the article, can you guess?)
Underline the signal words in this paragraph.
The cardinal and the cedar
waxwing are two common birds. Both
have crests on their heads. Both are
common at birdfeeders. But the birds
have some differences. The male
cardinal is a bright red, while the
waxwing is brown. The cedar
waxwing often migrates from place to
place. On the other hand, the cardinal
stays in one place year after year.
Compare your answers with a friend’s.
Here they are!
The cardinal and the cedar waxwing
are two common birds. Both have
crests on their heads. Both are
common at birdfeeders. But the birds
have some differences. The male
cardinal is a bright red, while the
waxwing is brown. The cedar
waxwing often migrates from place to
place. On the other hand, the cardinal
stays in one place year after year.
Signal Words
Compare/Contrast Structure
 In like manner
 Likewise
 Similarly
 The difference between
 As opposed to
 After all
 However
 And yet
 But
 Nevertheless
Compare/Contrast
Graphic Organizer
To organize similar
and different details
from a paragraph, we
traditionally use a
Venn diagram.
Create a Venn Diagram to organize the
information from the previous paragraph.
Using a Matrix vs. Venn Diagram
A Venn Diagram
only allows you to
compare 2 things
Matrix allows you
to compare several
things with several
different
characteristics.
Let’s Practice
How would you set up a matrix to
compare & contrast different inside
and outside activities that you do
compared to what your
grandparents did in high school?
Let’s read an article together
“Sharks Use Serial Killer Tactics”
Before we read:
Based on the text features (title, bold faced words,
italics, headings, graphics), predict what this article will
be about and what text structure the author will use.
During Reading:
-First Read: Read for fun! 
Was your prediction right? Do you need to change it?
-Second Read: Annotate article, circling signal words,
and underlining information that we might add in a
Venn Diagram.