How to Create a Compare Contrast Framework

A compare contrast framework is a tool used to help K-12 students compare and contrast one or more people, places, ideas or items. Using this basic framework, students sharpen their problem-solving and retention skills to analyze how these two items are the same and different in comparison to each other.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of paper
• Writing utensil

Instructions

1. Develop a category you want to use for your compare contrast framework. For example, you could use the category of "Computers."

2. Pick at least two people, places, ideas or items to compare. Write these at the top of a sheet of paper. For the "Computers" example, you could pick "Hardware" and "Software."

3. Brainstorm at least 10 characteristics that these people, places, ideas or items have in common when comparing them. Write these items on your sheet of paper. One characteristic between hardware and software is that they both come on a new computer.

4. Flip your sheet of paper over. Divide the piece of paper into two to four columns depending on how many items you are comparing and contrasting.

5. Brainstorm about how these items are different from each other. Write each contrasting characteristic in the column for the appropriate item. Come up with at least 10 contrasts for the items. For instance, hardware is a physical device and software is not - it's just computer code.

Tips & Warnings

• People of all ages, not just K-12 students, will find creating a compare contrast framework beneficial.

• Students often will use a compare contrast framework as a brainstorming tool when pre-writing a story or essay.

• Compare contrast frameworks can be used for any subject, but can be especially helpful to students studying reading and history.