Comparing & ContrastingFinding similarities and differences, or comparing and contrasting, requires that you identify how two or more things are similar and also identify how they are different.

Comparing: when you infer, measure, note, or come the conclusion that something has something in common with another thing.

Contrasting: when you infer, measure, note, or come the conclusion that something is very different from something else.

When you see the instructions like, “identify the similarities and differences…”, it is asking you to compare and contrast two or more things.

Compare & Contrast = Identify Similarities & Differences

Steps to Success:1. Identify what two (or more) items I am comparing and contrasting.2. Create 3 equal sized boxes.3. Label the left box the first item you are comparing and contrasting.4. Label the right box the second item you are comparing and contrasting.5. Label the middle box “similarities”6. Analyze the items (qualities that are just about item #1 go in the left box, qualities that are

just about item #2 go in the right box, and qualities that they both have in common go in the middle box of similarities)

7. Identify similarities (look in the center box to find what the two items have in common)8. Identify differences (look in the outside boxes [both right and left] to find what one item has

that the other doesn’t have)9. Write a statement that identifies the similarities between the two items, and then write a

second sentence explaining the differences between the two items.

Example: Identify the similarities and differences between dogs and cats.

Cats Similarities Dogs

Vertical Eyes, Meow, Litter Box, Land On Their Feet

Fleas, Adorable Eyes, Rough Tongues, Mammals, Four Legs, Good Hearing, Play Rough

Human-Looking Eyes, Bark, Bathroom in Backyard, Don’t Land On Feet

Dogs & cats are similar because they both are mammals, four legs, & can get fleas. Dogs and cats are different because while cats meow to communicate, dogs communicate through barking.

A list of items that can be easily compared and contrasted:

1. Coke vs Pepsi2. Childhood vs. Adulthood3. Star Wars vs. Star Trek4. Biology vs. Chemistry5. Fruits vs. Vegetables6. Dogs vs. Cats7. Christianity vs. Judaism (or any world religion)8. Republican vs. Democrat9. Monarchy vs. Presidency10. US President vs. UK Prime Minister11. Jazz vs. Classical Music12. Red vs. White (or any two colors)13. Soccer vs. Football14. North vs. South Before the Civil War15. Cash vs. Credit Cards16. Sam vs. Frodo Baggins17. Gandalf vs. Dumbledore18. Rap vs. Pop19. Saltwater Fish vs. Freshwater Fish20. Squids vs. Octopus21. Mammals vs. Reptiles22. Baleen vs. Toothed Whales23. Seals vs. Sea Lions24. Crocodiles vs. Alligators25. Bats vs. Birds