Comparison Graphic Organizer

Were
compared
on:

Topic 1

Topic 2

Topic 3

Compariso
n element
1

Compariso
n element
2

Compariso
n element
3

Compariso
n element
4

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_1

Identifying Signaling Words

1. Here are some examples of description signaling words. Description signaling
words signal that the author is giving you more description or detail about a topic. See
if you can find any of these, or similar ones in the article you just read.

Description Signaling
Words

for instance
for example
such as
to illustrate
most
important
in addition

another
furthermore
first
second
also
to begin with
and

Write five description signal words you found in the text:

_____________________
_____________________
_____________________

_____________________
_____________________

2. Here are some examples of comparison signaling words. Comparison signaling

words signal that the author is giving you information that will compare or contrast
two or more topics. See if you can find any of these, or similar ones in the article you
just read.

Comparison Signaling Words

Instead
but
however
or
alternatively
whereas
on the other hand
and
while
compare
in comparison

in contrast
in opposition
not everyone
share
resemble
the same as
all but
have in common
similarities
differentiate
options

less than
act like
look like
just as
more than
longer than
despite
although
just
difference
different

Write five comparison signal words you found in the text:

_____________________
_____________________
_____________________

_____________________
_____________________
Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_2

Main Idea
The main idea of a text tells the topics that were discussed in the text, how
the topics were discussed (text structure) and what was discussed about the
topics.
Use the chart below to help you plan your main idea sentence. Use your
annotations and graphic organizer to help you fill in the chart.
1. List the topics that were
discussed in the text:
a.
b.
c.
d.

______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

2. List what the topics were

compared on:
a. ______________________________
b. ______________________________
c. ______________________________
d. ______________________________

Using the information from above to help you, write a main idea sentence
about the article using the comparison pattern.
Comparison Main Idea Sentence Stem
___________, ___________, ___________, and __________ were compared on ___________,
___________, and __________.

Write your main idea sentence here:

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_3

Monitor Comprehension and Recall

Write a recall paragraph about the article you read and check your comprehension. Use
the pattern below to help you include all you can remember.
Recall statement sentence stem
The first topic is _____________. [The topic] is/has [state what was learned about the
topic]. In contrast (or another signaling word), the second idea is______________. [The
topic] is/has [state what was learned about the topic]

Write your recall statement below:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_4

Making Inferences
When we infer, we use the information that we know or have just learned to make an
educated guess. Think about what we know and what the text tells us. Based on both of
those pieces of information, we develop a deeper idea.
The text says

I also know or the

Because of this

______________________

text also tells me

information, I can

______________________

______________________
______________________

infer that
__________________
______________________

Using the steps above, answer the inference questions below:

1.
The text says

I also know or the

Because of this

______________________

text also tells me

information, I can

______________________

_______________

infer that

______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

______________________
______________________
______________________

__________________
______________________
______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

The text says

I also know or the

Because of this

______________________

text also tells me

information, I can

______________________

_______________

infer that

2.

______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

______________________
______________________
______________________

__________________
______________________
______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_5

3.
The text says

I also know or the

Because of this

______________________

text also tells me

information, I can

______________________

_______________

infer that

______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

______________________
______________________
______________________

__________________
______________________
______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

The text says

I also know or the

Because of this

______________________

text also tells me

information, I can

______________________

_______________

infer that

4.

______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

______________________
______________________
______________________

__________________
______________________
______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

______________________

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_6

Elaborate
Elaborate on the topic by:

Researching additional characteristics on the topics

Researching a similar topic and compare information to what is in the
article

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_7

Write to Inform
Once you have learned information, it is important that you can share that information
through writing.

Inform
Informational writing allows you to share details that you have learned. In the box below,
you will see a strategy called TIDE that helps you write informational texts.
T = Topic _______________________________________ (what are you writing about)
ID = Important Details (list three important details to include in your writing)
ID 1 ________________________________________________________
ID 2 ________________________________________________________
ID 3 ________________________________________________________
E = Ending _________________________________________________________ (you want to wrap
up with a good sentence)

Put it all together. [Topic] is____________ because [ID1], [ID2], and [ID3]. [Ending
sentence].

Prompt:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Generic Comparison Lesson Materials_8

Writing to Argue
Argumentative writing tries to prove an opinion by providing reasons and evidence. You
use this type of writing when you want to share factual information and provide your
opinion together.
T = Topic _______________________________________ (what are you writing about/trying to
prove)
R = Reasons (list three reasons why you think what you do about your topic
R 1 ________________________________________________________
R 2 ________________________________________________________
R 3 ________________________________________________________
E = Evidence (provide evidence from the text to support each reason)
E 1 ________________________________________________________
E 2 ________________________________________________________
E 3 ________________________________________________________
E = Ending _________________________________________________________ (you want to wrap
up with a good sentence)
Putting it together. _____________ (topic) is ____________(reason you are writing) because
________________(reasons). First, ______________(reason 1) because ____________ (evidence 1).
Next, _______________(reason 2) because ____________________(evidence 2). Finally,
________________(reason 3) because ___________________(evidence 3). [ending sentence].

PROMPT:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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