Compare and contrast elements of texts (Inclusive Big Idea #9)

Reading Informational Text

Grade 3: English Language Arts

Inclusive Big Idea #9: Compare and contrast elements of texts

Standard: Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic. RI.3.9

• Informational Venn Diagrams: When researching a topic, model for students how to compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in the two informational texts by completing a Venn Diagram. You can use high-interest topics to model how to do this. You can also record and caption a video of you making a Venn Diagram for students who want to watch it multiple times and hear your thinking. Model how to brainstorm what information is shared within the two texts and place that information in the middle of the Venn Diagram. Show how to use the outer circles, to place information that is not shared between the two texts. Students can work to build their own Venn Diagrams individually, in a small group, or with the whole class. See this TIP Sheet for more information on how to make graphic organizers more accessible and engaging for all.
• Informational Data Charts: To keep track of how information across multiple texts is similar and how it is different, model how to create an informational data chart (similar to the one below). After filling out the chart, students can use the digital or paper graphic organizer as a discussion point to compare and contrast how two different texts address one similar topic. They can collaborate or work on their own and may have some choice in the topic they select to compare using two texts.
  • Text #1
    • Topic Addressed: Tornadoes
    • Region: Midwest U.S.
    • Types of Tornadoes: Addresses all types of tornadoes
  • Text #2
    • Topic Addressed: Tornadoes
    • Region: Around the world
    • Types of Tornadoes: Only focuses on the most damaging types of tornadoes
• Instructional Conversations: Individually, in small groups, or with the whole class, engage in a conversation about how multiple texts address a topic. Activate background knowledge by asking students to record or share their own point of view about a topic using their own experience and what they’ve learned from the text. Provide direct information about the topic to build their knowledge, Information can be in the form of text, illustrations, pictures, objects, or multimedia. Model how to ask different questions about the topic and discuss the topic-- specifically noting their point of view. Show students how to support their ideas by using information they learned from books or other multimedia sources. See this TIP Sheet for more information on Whole Group Discussions. Provide sentence stems or prompts such as:
  • What information did you learn from Text #1? Text #2?
  • How were the different texts similar?
  • How were the texts different?
  • How does the text support (insert inference here)?
  • What is your opinion about this?
• Think Aloud: Read aloud a text to your students. As you read, explain how multiple authors address a similar topic in similar/different ways. See this TIP Sheet for more information on how to model using a Think Aloud.

For example, one possible barrier is the amount of information that a student needs to hold in mind.

Ideas to reduce this barrier could include:

• be aware of how much sensory input occurs at once, perhaps offer the option to use headphones
• show examples and provide answers to check along the way
• provide templates or graphic organizers
• allow use of spell checks and other tools 

Use these Inclusive Strategies to help reduce barriers.

• The Big Idea: Compare and contrast elements of texts
• Tell me more about… Elements of Texts
  • Elements of a text are, essentially, the parts of a text. These elements present information in a logical way to enable readers to easily follow the text. Knowing this can help students to compare and contrast. Some elements are internal and organize the way the content information is presented in a text. Others are external and are features that signal important information within a text.
• Tell me more about… Text Features
  • Text features make the text more accessible to the reader and often provide additional information to help students comprehend the content. Text features are various ways of manipulating and placing text to draw attention to or emphasize certain points or ideas (e.g., bolding or boxing questions, italicizing key vocabulary, listing, bulleting, numbering). Understanding how to navigate through informational text, quickly find key concepts, and identify what the author feels is most important are essential for effective readers. Some of the most important text features include:
    • title
    • table of contents
    • photos
    • captions
    • diagrams
    • headings
    • subtitles
    • bold print
    • timeline
    • glossary
    • index
  • Before reading, text features can also be used to help students evaluate the text and make predictions about what they will read. During reading, point out different text features and think aloud about what information you can gain from each. Saying, for example, “When I look at this diagram that shows the different layers of the Earth, I read the labels and can see how thick each layer is. Then, when I read in the text about the Earth’s core, I can look at the diagram and have a better understanding of where it is in relation to the other layers.”
• Tell me more about… Informational Text Structures
  • When readers interact with the text to create meaning, it is helpful to have an awareness of the organizational structure of what is being read. For instance, students learn to be aware of cues that alert them to specific text structures such as main ideas and details, a cause and its effects, and/or different points of view. Teaching students to recognize common text structures can help them focus their attention on key concepts and relationships, anticipate the content of what they will read, and monitor their comprehension. Additionally, when students are aware of the text structures, they connect information with their prior knowledge, increase their reading speed, and retain information better. Finally, students who develop an understanding of text structure are more likely to apply their knowledge to their own writing.
  • Internal Text Structure: These text structures refer to the ways in which information within a text is organized to convey the content. Some texts are organized using more than one text structure. Text structures offer important clues that organize the text in predictable and understandable ways.
  • Text Features (External Text Structures): These text structures physically organize and signal information in a text, such as headings, illustrations, bold or highlighted terms, and notes. These call attention to essential information within a text. External text structures help readers identify key ideas and details within a text. This supports comprehension by alerting students to the most relevant information and helping them locate information in a text.
  • Description: The author explains a topic, idea, person, place, or thing by listing characteristics, features, and examples. Focus is on one thing and its components
    • Example: Many things must be taken care of to get ready to go back to school. For example, one thing to do is prepare your classroom. Another is to organize your materials. The most important thing to do to be ready to go back to school is to plan engaging lessons for students.
    • Signal words include: for example; characteristics are; such as; looks like; consists of; for instance; most important
    • Look for the topic word (or synonym) to be repeated throughout the text.
    • Description Question Stems:
      • What specific person, place, thing, event, or concept is being described?
      • How is the topic described? (How does it work? What does it do? What does it look like?)
      • What are the most important attributes or characteristics?
      • How can the topic be classified? (For example, a robin can be classified as a type of bird.)
  • Sequence: The author lists items or events in numerical or chronological order. Sequence describes the order of events or how to do or make something.
    • May present a timeline, a cycle, or steps/directions
    • Signal words include: first, second, third; next; then; after; before; prior to; not long after; while; meanwhile; simultaneously; at the same time; following; finally; at last; in the end; on (date); at (time); directions
    • Sequence Question Stems
      • What sequence of events is being described?
      • What are the major events or incidents that occur?
      • What are the steps, directions, or procedures to follow? (What must be done first, second, etc.?)
      • What is the beginning event?
      • What other events or steps are included?
      • What is the final outcome, event, or step?
  • Compare/Contrast: The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.
    • Signal words include: differs from; similar to; in contrast; alike; same as; as well as; on the other hand; both; either, or; not only, but also; yet; although; but; however; on the other hand. Also look for “-est” words: best, fewest, tallest, etc.
    • Compare/Contrast Question Stems
      • What items are being compared?
      • What is it about them that is being compared?
      • What characteristics of items form the basis of the comparison?
      • What characteristics do they have in common; how are these items alike?
      • In what ways are these items different?
  • Cause and Effect: The author lists one or more causes or events and the resulting consequences or effects. The purpose is to explain why or how something happened, exists, or works. Often there will be an “if/then” pattern
    • Signal words include: reasons why; reasons for; if...then; as a result of; therefore; because of; so; since; in order to; leads or leads to; effects of; caused by; result; outcome; impact; influenced by; brought about by
    • Cause and Effect Question Stems
      • What happened?
      • Why did it happen? What was the reason for…?
      • What was the effect(s) of the event? What happened as a result of…?
      • What were the results or outcomes caused by the event?
      • In what ways did prior event(s) cause or influence the main event?
      • Will this result always happen from these causes?
  • Problem and Solution: The author states a problem and lists one or more possible solutions to the problem. May also include pros and cons for the solutions.
    • Signal words include: the problem is…; the dilemma is…; the puzzle is…; solved; question; answer; because; since; this led to; the main difficulty; one possible solution is…; one challenge…; therefore; this led to, so that; if...then, thus
    • Problem and Solution Question Stems
      • What is the problem?
      • Who had the problem?
      • What is causing the problem?
      • Why is this a problem?
      • What is wrong and how can it be taken care of?
      • What solutions are recommended or attempted?
      • What can be improved, changed, fixed, or remedied?
      • What are the pros and cons of the solutions offered?

Common Student Misconceptions

• Elements of Text: Students may be unfamiliar with the elements of the text. Be sure to provide explicit instruction on the text elements which will be the focus of the lesson.
• Background Knowledge: Many teachers assume students already know about a topic based on their age or what they should have learned in a previous grade or class. This can include understanding important aspects of a culture or experience students may not have had yet. When background knowledge is not built or activated, students will lack the schema to understand new material and may not effectively learn and understand the topic or concept.

• Setting Purpose: Students may be overwhelmed when asked to compare and contrast ideas if they don’t understand which information is important. Set clear expectations about what characteristics of the story you want them to compare. Model the process and provide sentence starters and graphic organizers to help them record their ideas.

• Fact versus Opinion: When comparing and contrasting aspects of texts, students should base their comparisons on facts, not on their opinions, about the texts.

Links Across Content Areas

• Social Studies: Read a historical text and then watch or engage in a reenactment of the same event.
• Science: Compare or contrast the results of an experiment based on changing a variable.

Everyday Connections

• Let’s Chat! Have students compare their experiences with their classmates for common experiences (e.g., students compare their morning routine getting ready for school).

Second Grade: Compare and contrast elements of texts (RI 9)

Fourth Grade: Integrate information from multiple texts (RI 9)