What is comparing/contrasting?
Comparing/contrasting is a strategy that helps readers bring order to concepts. When good readers compare and contrast, they are able to analyze the material to discern patterns (Allen, 2004) and thus gain a stronger understanding of what they are reading. This makes the information memorable and leads students to successful learning across the curriculum. Good readers who use the comparing/contrasting strategy have learned to hone their observation and thinking skills and focus on both big ideas and details. In the arsenal of strategies to help students become proficient readers, comparing/contrasting is useful in all kinds of reading. Thus, as Janet Allen (2004) advocates, students should get practice in comparing and contrasting a wide range of content matter that includes “events, historical figures, works of literature, speeches, political positions, scientific phenomena, and mathematical principles” (p. 19).
