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Compare & contrast texts

Grade 6 · English Language Arts · Free lesson

Hi there! I am Studyfin, your tutor. Today, we will learn how to compare and contrast two different texts!

When we read, we often look at two texts on the same topic. Comparing means finding how they are alike. Contrasting means finding how they are different.

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A Venn diagram is a great tool for this. The outer circles show what is unique to each text. The middle section shows what they both share.

Text A Only Both Text B Only

To compare sources, look at the facts they share. To contrast them, look at the different details or main goals each author has.

Source A Shared Facts Source B
✏️ Worked example

Read these two short passages about dogs, then compare them to find what detail they both share. Passage 1: 'Dogs are active pets. They need daily walks to stay healthy and happy.' Passage 2: 'Many families love dogs. It is important to feed them well and take them on walks every day.'

  1. Identify the main topic of both passages. Both texts are about caring for dogs.
  2. Look for details in Passage 1. It mentions dogs are active, need daily walks, and need to stay healthy.
  3. Look for details in Passage 2. It mentions families loving dogs, feeding them well, and daily walks.
  4. Compare the details to find a match. Both passages explicitly state that dogs need walks every day.
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