Courseversity

Lesson

Compare-and-contrast writing

Primary EducationGrade 6English & Language ArtsCV-PRI-G06-ELA-U07-L0745–60 min

You will learn

  • Find similarities and differences.
  • Choose an organisation.
  • Use transitions.
  • Conclude.

Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.

Student lesson

The lesson in 60 seconds

  1. List likenesses and differences.
  2. Choose block or point-by-point.
  3. Add transitions.
  4. Conclude.

Words to know

point-by-point
comparing both subjects on one point at a time
block method
writing about one subject then the other
similarly
a transition showing likeness
in contrast
a transition showing difference

1. Discover: Rivers and lakes

Ngozi compares rivers and lakes. Point-by-point: “Rivers flow, in contrast lakes are still. Similarly, both provide fish.” Block method: first paragraph on rivers (flow, fish, transport); second on lakes (still water, fish, recreation); then a conclusion.

She chooses point-by-point because she compares movement, use and size one at a time. Transitions make the comparison clear.

Think: Which organisation suits your topic?

2. Understand: Showing likenesses and differences

Idea 1: Organise

Use point-by-point (compare each point in turn) or the block method (one subject then the other).

Idea 2: Transitions

Likeness: similarly, likewise, both. Difference: in contrast, however, whereas.

Idea 3: Conclude

End by saying what the comparison shows.

Remember: Compare and contrast by point-by-point or block organisation, using transitions and a concluding judgement.

3. Worked examples

Example 1 (I show you): Contrast

Which phrase shows difference?

  1. In contrast.

Answer: in contrast

Example 2 (We do it together): Likeness

Which shows likeness?

  1. Similarly.

Answer: similarly or both

Example 3 (You try): Method

What is block method?

Show the steps and answer
  1. One then other.

Answer: writing about one subject then the other

Did you know?

Venn diagrams are a quick way to plan a comparison.

Why this matters

Comparison writing helps you analyse subjects fairly.

4. Explore: Compare plan

Plan a comparison.

  1. Choose two subjects.
  2. List points.
  3. Choose block or point-by-point.
  4. Write with transitions.
Think about it: what did you notice?

You can compare and contrast.

5. Practise

Say it in a sentence

Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.

  • Both ___.
  • However, ___.
  • In contrast, ___.
  • Overall, ___.

Guided practice

Question 1. Comparing one point at a time is ___-by-point.

point

Question 2. Writing about one subject then the other is the ___ method.

block

Question 3. A word showing likeness is ___.

similarly

Independent practice

Level 1: Start

  1. Comparing one point at a time is ___-by-point.
  2. Writing about one subject then the other is the ___ method.
  3. A word showing likeness is ___.
  4. A phrase showing difference is ___ contrast.
  5. Rivers ___ but lakes are still.

Level 2: Grow

  1. What do both rivers and lakes provide?
  2. What is a transition for difference?
  3. Which does she choose?

Level 3: Stretch

  1. Can you use a Venn diagram?
  2. Is however a contrast word?
  3. Should you conclude?

Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.

6. Apply: English in everyday life

Write a short comparison of two things using transitions.

Show a sample answer

a comparison

Another one. Compare two foods with a family member using “whereas” and “similarly”.

Show a sample answer

a completed task

7. Common mistakes

Mistake: Rushing without checking.
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Another mistake: Skipping the worked example.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.

8. Lesson summary and revision card

I can…

  • I can find similarities and differences.
  • I can choose an organisation.
  • I can use transitions.
  • I can conclude.

9. Check and master

Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.

1. Point-by-point compares one ___ at a time.

2. The block method writes about one ___ then the other.

3. Similarly shows ___.

4. In contrast shows ___.

5. Rivers flow whereas lakes are ___.

6. Both provide ___.

7. Which is a contrast word?

8. Which is a likeness word?

9. A Venn diagram helps ___.

10. How should you end?

11. Which organisation compares movement and use in turn?

12. Why compare and contrast?

Challenge 1. Which shows contrast?

Challenge 2. Which shows likeness?

Your result appears here after you answer every question.

10. Key takeaways

  • List likenesses and differences.
  • Choose block or point-by-point.
  • Add transitions.
  • Conclude.

11. Next lesson

Next lesson: Transitions. Keep going with the next idea in this course.

Exam practice

These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.

  1. Define point-by-point and block method. [2 marks]
  2. Name two likeness and two contrast words. [4 marks]
  3. Compare rivers and lakes in one sentence. [2 marks]
  4. Why use a Venn diagram? [1 mark]
  5. Explain how to write a comparison. [3 marks]

Total: 12 marks.

Marking guide and model answers
  1. point-by-point compares one point at a time [1]; block method writes about one subject then the other [1]
  2. similarly [1]; likewise [1]; in contrast [1]; however or whereas [1]
  3. a similarity [1]; a difference [1]
  4. to plan likenesses and differences [1]
  5. list likenesses and differences [1]; choose an organisation and use transitions [1]; conclude [1]

Score guide: 11 to 12 = secure. 8 to 10 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 8 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.

Printable worksheet

  1. Comparing one point at a time is ___-by-point.
  2. Writing about one subject then the other is the ___ method.
  3. A word showing likeness is ___.
  4. A phrase showing difference is ___ contrast.
  5. Rivers ___ but lakes are still.
  6. What do both rivers and lakes provide?
  7. What is a transition for difference?
  8. Which does she choose?
  9. Can you use a Venn diagram?
  10. Is however a contrast word?

Homework

Compare two foods with a family member using “whereas” and “similarly”.

Answer key and marking scheme

Question Expected response Marks
1. Comparing one point at a time is ___-by-point. point 1
2. Writing about one subject then the other is the ___ method. block 1
3. A word showing likeness is ___. similarly 1
4. A phrase showing difference is ___ contrast. in 1
5. Rivers ___ but lakes are still. flow 1
6. What do both rivers and lakes provide? fish 1
7. What is a transition for difference? in contrast 1
8. Which does she choose? point-by-point 1
9. Can you use a Venn diagram? yes 1
10. Is however a contrast word? yes 1
Total 10

Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 point; 2 block; 3 similarly; 4 in; 5 flow. Level 2: 1 fish; 2 in contrast; 3 point-by-point. Level 3: 1 yes; 2 yes; 3 yes.

Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.

Mastery and remediation

Objective Bronze (Developing) Silver (Proficient) Gold (Advanced)
O1 Find similarities and differences Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation
O2 Choose an organisation Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation
O3 Use transitions Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation
O4 Conclude Shows this with help from an adult or a picture Does this independently and explains how they know Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation

Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.

If a learner struggles

  1. Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
  2. Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
  3. Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
  4. Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
  5. Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
  6. Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.

For parents and guardians

In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.

  • Listen while your child explains the idea.
  • Ask for one new example.
  • Praise effort and careful work.
  • Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
  • Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
  • Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.

Teacher package

1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration

Lesson objectives. Learners will: find similarities and differences; choose an organisation; use transitions; conclude.

Prerequisite knowledge. Cause-and-effect writing.

Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.

Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.

Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.

6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities

Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.

Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.

Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.

Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.

Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.

Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?

Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.

10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions

Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.

Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.

Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.

13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme

Use the quiz, the 12-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.

16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection

Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.

Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.

Sources and standards

This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.

Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 6 » Writing; Grade 6 » Language. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.

Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core W.6.2a (organize ideas using strategies such as compare/contrast) and W.6.2c (use appropriate transitions); Cambridge Primary English Stage 6 (comparative writing). These sources informed the lesson.

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