Compare and Contrast Ideas Back to 20 Best-practices Reading Strategies Authors often connect unknown ideas with known concepts to help readers learn about a topic. Compare/contrast instruction includes identifying author’s use of comparisons and a reader’s ability to make comparisons. Simile: A simile is a comparison of two unlike things that are alike in one way; a simile uses like or as or a comparative adjective and than. Examples: Butterflies are like flower petals with wings. Migration is like a journey. Caribou feet are like snowshoes. Metaphor: A metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike things. A metaphor does not use a clue word. Examples: Butterflies are flower petals with wings. Migration is a journey. Analogy: An analogy is also a comparison of two or more objects. The analogy implies that the objects are alike in some ways. Examples: An orchestra of robins welcomed the sunrise. Birds soar through highways in the sky. Questions that help students compare and contrast: What does this selection remind you of? What does (idea from selection) remind you of? What comparisons did the author use to describe ideas? What similes or metaphors did the author use to describe ideas in the selection? What analogies were used to help readers connect ideas? What are the similarities described? What are the differences described? How did the author help readers learn new ideas? Why did the author compare...to... How are they alike? How are they different? Writers often connect new ideas with something a reader may already know. What examples from the selection show this writing strategy?   This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2008 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.