Scott Foresman Reading Street

Genre Compare/Contrast Paragraph
Writer’s Craft
Compare/Contrast Words
Writing Trait Word Choice

Write a compare/
contrast paragraph for a test.
Identify key words in a
prompt.
Focus on word choice.
Use a rubric.

Word Choice Work with students to
use vivid words that appeal to readers’
senses. A bilingual dictionary, picture
dictionary, or thesaurus, as well as
other home-language speakers, may help provide words that create pictures for readers.

FOCUS/IDEAS Strong

supporting details show specifically how two objects in nature are alike and different.

ORGANIZATION/PARAGRAPHS

The paragraph first discusses similarities between the flowers and then moves on to their differences.

VOICE Writing is engaging

and lively. The writer is clearly involved with the subject.

WORD CHOICE The writer

uses words such as while, also, both, but, and
however to make comparisons and contrasts clear.

SENTENCES Compound and

complex sentences add variety to the paragraph.

CONVENTIONS There is

excellent control and accuracy, including use of irregular verbs.

Model the Trait

Improve Writing

Prewrite and Draft

Draft and Revise

Connect to Unit Writing

READING-WRITING CONNECTION

When you write a response for tests, remember that signal words that show how ideas are related can strengthen your answer.
Think about how Harrison uses words to compare and contrast different kinds of volcanoes in Volcanoes: Nature's Incredible Fireworks.

MODEL WORD CHOICE Discuss Writing Transparency 15A. Point out underlined words in the prompt. Then discuss the model and the writing trait of word choice.

The writer uses the words both and also to signal the similarities discussed in the first part of this compare/contrast paragraph. The word however is a useful connecting word because it introduces several differences between roses and tulips.

Writing Transparency 15A

with | without Answers

WRITER'S CRAFT

Compare/Contrast Words

Display Writing Transparency 15B. Read the directions and work together to use signal words for comparisons and contrasts.

USE COMPARE/
CONTRAST WORDS Tomorrow we will write
a compare/contrast paragraph. How could I use signal words to show how butterflies and moths are alike? I might write, "Both butterflies and moths have colorful wings." Both and and show likeness. I might write, "Unlike butterflies, moths have thick bodies." Unlike signals
a difference.

GUIDED WRITING Some
students may need more help using words that show comparison and contrast. Help them find sentences in a selection in their book or make up sentences that have compare/contrast words.

Writing Transparency 15B

with | without Answers

READ THE WRITING PROMPT

on p. 395 in the Student Edition.

Volcanoes describes natural events.

Think about two natural events you have seen or read about.

Now write a paragraph that compares and contrasts these two events.

Writing Test Tips

Read the prompt carefully.
- Find key words.
- Consider purpose and audience. How will they affect your writing?
Develop a plan. Think of what you want to say before writing. Use a graphic organizer. For example, for a story, think of a beginning, middle, and end. For a comparison/contrast essay, use a T-chart or a Venn diagram.
Support your ideas. Use facts, examples, and details to strengthen your response. Avoid making general statements that are unsupported.
Use a variety of sentence structures. Include compound sentences, varied sentence beginnings, and different sentence lengths and types.
Choose clear, precise words. Use words that create pictures and help readers understand what you mean.
Check your writing. If this is a timed test, you may not have time to recopy your work. However, you can neatly add, delete, or change words and make corrections. It pays to reread your work before handing it in.

EDITING/REVISING
CHECKLIST

Focus Do all details show similarities or differences?
Organization Is the paragraph organized to clearly show the similarities and differences between the two things?
Support Do words such as also and but signal comparisons and contrasts?
Conventions Are irregular verbs used correctly? Are words with wr, kn, mb, and gn spelled correctly?

See The Grammar and Writing Book, pp. 134–139.

Revising Tips

Word Choice

Support your comparisons by using words such as and, also, too, and like.
When describing similarities between two things, add words such as and, also, too, and like.
When describing differences between two things, add words and phrases such as but, although, however, and on the other hand.

ASSESSMENT Use the scoring rubric to evaluate students' work.

Week 1

Journal Entry 303g–303h

Week 2

Skit 329g–329h

Week 3

Friendly Letter
353g–353h

Week 4

News Story
379g–379h

Week 5

Compare/Contrast Paragraph 399g–399h

Compare and Contrast Essay

PREVIEW THE UNIT PROMPT

Write an essay that compares
and contrasts two things in nature. Your subjects could be two plants, animals, seasons, or weather conditions. Use words that show
what you are describing.

APPLY

A compare and contrast
essay compares and
contrasts two things. It uses
transition words and details
to show likenesses and differences.
Like a compare and contrast
essay, a compare and
contrast paragraph uses
words such as and and also
to show likenesses and but
and however to show
differences.

Writing for Tests Compare/Contrast Paragraph

Word Choice