Comparing Two Texts

When we compare two texts, we look at how they are the same and how they are different.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Comparing two texts as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Comparing two texts means reading two books, stories, or articles and then thinking about what ideas, characters, events, or facts they share and what makes each one special or different. It is like holding two things side by side and asking: What do I notice about both?

Remember the rule

Same = Both. Different = Only one. Ask yourself: What do BOTH texts say? What does ONLY Text 1 say? What does ONLY Text 2 say?

Key words

compare: To look at two things and find out how they are the same
contrast: To look at two things and find out how they are different
text: Any piece of writing, like a book, story, poem, or article
topic: What a text is mostly about
author: The person who wrote the text
detail: A small piece of information that tells more about the topic
Venn diagram: Two overlapping circles used to show what is the same and what is different about two things
point of view: The way an author thinks or feels about a topic

Worked examples

Text 1 is a story about a girl who rescues a lost puppy. Text 2 is a story about a boy who rescues a lost kitten. How are these two texts the same and different?

→ Same: Both stories are about a child who rescues a lost pet. Different: Text 1 has a girl and a puppy. Text 2 has a boy and a kitten. · Looking at the main event helps you find what is the same, and looking at the characters and animals helps you find what is different.

Text 1 says frogs live near ponds and eat insects. Text 2 says frogs are amphibians that start life as tadpoles. What fact appears in BOTH texts?

→ Neither text shares the exact same fact. Text 1 focuses on where frogs live and what they eat. Text 2 focuses on what kind of animal frogs are and how they grow. Both texts are about frogs, so the topic is the same, but the details are different. · Two texts can share a topic but still give very different information.

Text 1 is a poem about how summer is fun and sunny. Text 2 is a poem about how summer is too hot and makes the author tired. What is the same and what is different?

→ Same: Both poems are about summer. Different: Text 1 has a happy, excited feeling about summer. Text 2 has a tired, unhappy feeling about summer. · Even when two texts share a topic, the authors can have very different points of view.

Text 1 and Text 2 are both about penguins. Text 1 says penguins live in cold places and cannot fly. Text 2 also says penguins cannot fly but adds that they are excellent swimmers. What detail do both texts share?

→ Both texts say that penguins cannot fly. That is the detail they have in common. · Finding the one fact that shows up in both texts is a great comparing skill.

Common mistakes

Only finding differences and forgetting to look for things that are the same
Saying two texts are completely different just because they look different, without reading carefully for shared ideas
Mixing up details from Text 1 and Text 2 when writing or talking about them
Thinking comparing only works with two stories — you can also compare a story and an article about the same topic
Stopping after one similarity or one difference instead of looking for several

FAQs

Do both texts have to be about exactly the same thing to compare them?

No! The texts just need to have something you can look at together. They could both be about animals, weather, or being brave — even if the stories are very different.

What is the easiest way to start comparing two texts?

Start by asking: What is each text mostly about? Then ask: What do they both talk about? Use a Venn diagram to write down your ideas so you can see them clearly.

Can I compare a fiction story and a nonfiction article?

Yes! For example, you might read a made-up story about a bear and then read a true article about bears. You can compare what each one says about how bears act or where they live.

What if the two texts are about the same topic but say opposite things?

That is a great comparison! You would write that the topic is the same but the authors have different ideas or points of view. It is okay for two texts to disagree.

How many similarities and differences do I need to find?

In 2nd grade, try to find at least two things that are the same and two things that are different. The more you find, the stronger your comparison will be.

Do I have to use a Venn diagram?

A Venn diagram is a very helpful tool, but you can also make a simple chart with two columns — one for each text — and list what each one says. Any tool that helps you organize your thinking works great.

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