essay venn diagram

Comparing and Contrasting

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you first to determine whether a particular assignment is asking for comparison/contrast and then to generate a list of similarities and differences, decide which similarities and differences to focus on, and organize your paper so that it will be clear and effective. It will also explain how you can (and why you should) develop a thesis that goes beyond “Thing A and Thing B are similar in many ways but different in others.”

Introduction

In your career as a student, you’ll encounter many different kinds of writing assignments, each with its own requirements. One of the most common is the comparison/contrast essay, in which you focus on the ways in which certain things or ideas—usually two of them—are similar to (this is the comparison) and/or different from (this is the contrast) one another. By assigning such essays, your instructors are encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas, engage in critical thinking, and go beyond mere description or summary to generate interesting analysis: when you reflect on similarities and differences, you gain a deeper understanding of the items you are comparing, their relationship to each other, and what is most important about them.

Recognizing comparison/contrast in assignments

Some assignments use words—like compare, contrast, similarities, and differences—that make it easy for you to see that they are asking you to compare and/or contrast. Here are a few hypothetical examples:

• Compare and contrast Frye’s and Bartky’s accounts of oppression.
• Compare WWI to WWII, identifying similarities in the causes, development, and outcomes of the wars.
• Contrast Wordsworth and Coleridge; what are the major differences in their poetry?

Notice that some topics ask only for comparison, others only for contrast, and others for both.

But it’s not always so easy to tell whether an assignment is asking you to include comparison/contrast. And in some cases, comparison/contrast is only part of the essay—you begin by comparing and/or contrasting two or more things and then use what you’ve learned to construct an argument or evaluation. Consider these examples, noticing the language that is used to ask for the comparison/contrast and whether the comparison/contrast is only one part of a larger assignment:

• Choose a particular idea or theme, such as romantic love, death, or nature, and consider how it is treated in two Romantic poems.
• How do the different authors we have studied so far define and describe oppression?
• Compare Frye’s and Bartky’s accounts of oppression. What does each imply about women’s collusion in their own oppression? Which is more accurate?
• In the texts we’ve studied, soldiers who served in different wars offer differing accounts of their experiences and feelings both during and after the fighting. What commonalities are there in these accounts? What factors do you think are responsible for their differences?

You may want to check out our handout on understanding assignments for additional tips.

Using comparison/contrast for all kinds of writing projects

Sometimes you may want to use comparison/contrast techniques in your own pre-writing work to get ideas that you can later use for an argument, even if comparison/contrast isn’t an official requirement for the paper you’re writing. For example, if you wanted to argue that Frye’s account of oppression is better than both de Beauvoir’s and Bartky’s, comparing and contrasting the main arguments of those three authors might help you construct your evaluation—even though the topic may not have asked for comparison/contrast and the lists of similarities and differences you generate may not appear anywhere in the final draft of your paper.

Discovering similarities and differences

Making a Venn diagram or a chart can help you quickly and efficiently compare and contrast two or more things or ideas. To make a Venn diagram, simply draw some overlapping circles, one circle for each item you’re considering. In the central area where they overlap, list the traits the two items have in common. Assign each one of the areas that doesn’t overlap; in those areas, you can list the traits that make the things different. Here’s a very simple example, using two pizza places:

To make a chart, figure out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing the items. Along the left side of the page, list each of the criteria. Across the top, list the names of the items. You should then have a box per item for each criterion; you can fill the boxes in and then survey what you’ve discovered.

Here’s an example, this time using three pizza places:

As you generate points of comparison, consider the purpose and content of the assignment and the focus of the class. What do you think the professor wants you to learn by doing this comparison/contrast? How does it fit with what you have been studying so far and with the other assignments in the course? Are there any clues about what to focus on in the assignment itself?

Here are some general questions about different types of things you might have to compare. These are by no means complete or definitive lists; they’re just here to give you some ideas—you can generate your own questions for these and other types of comparison. You may want to begin by using the questions reporters traditionally ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? If you’re talking about objects, you might also consider general properties like size, shape, color, sound, weight, taste, texture, smell, number, duration, and location.

Two historical periods or events

• When did they occur—do you know the date(s) and duration? What happened or changed during each? Why are they significant?
• What kinds of work did people do? What kinds of relationships did they have? What did they value?
• What kinds of governments were there? Who were important people involved?
• What caused events in these periods, and what consequences did they have later on?

Two ideas or theories

• What are they about?
• Did they originate at some particular time?
• Who created them? Who uses or defends them?
• What is the central focus, claim, or goal of each? What conclusions do they offer?
• How are they applied to situations/people/things/etc.?
• Which seems more plausible to you, and why? How broad is their scope?
• What kind of evidence is usually offered for them?

Two pieces of writing or art

• What are their titles? What do they describe or depict?
• What is their tone or mood? What is their form?
• Who created them? When were they created? Why do you think they were created as they were? What themes do they address?
• Do you think one is of higher quality or greater merit than the other(s)—and if so, why?
• For writing: what plot, characterization, setting, theme, tone, and type of narration are used?
• Where are they from? How old are they? What is the gender, race, class, etc. of each?
• What, if anything, are they known for? Do they have any relationship to each other?
• What are they like? What did/do they do? What do they believe? Why are they interesting?
• What stands out most about each of them?

Deciding what to focus on

By now you have probably generated a huge list of similarities and differences—congratulations! Next you must decide which of them are interesting, important, and relevant enough to be included in your paper. Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s relevant to the assignment?
• What’s relevant to the course?
• What’s interesting and informative?
• What matters to the argument you are going to make?
• What’s basic or central (and needs to be mentioned even if obvious)?
• Overall, what’s more important—the similarities or the differences?

Suppose that you are writing a paper comparing two novels. For most literature classes, the fact that they both use Caslon type (a kind of typeface, like the fonts you may use in your writing) is not going to be relevant, nor is the fact that one of them has a few illustrations and the other has none; literature classes are more likely to focus on subjects like characterization, plot, setting, the writer’s style and intentions, language, central themes, and so forth. However, if you were writing a paper for a class on typesetting or on how illustrations are used to enhance novels, the typeface and presence or absence of illustrations might be absolutely critical to include in your final paper.

Sometimes a particular point of comparison or contrast might be relevant but not terribly revealing or interesting. For example, if you are writing a paper about Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” and Coleridge’s “Frost at Midnight,” pointing out that they both have nature as a central theme is relevant (comparisons of poetry often talk about themes) but not terribly interesting; your class has probably already had many discussions about the Romantic poets’ fondness for nature. Talking about the different ways nature is depicted or the different aspects of nature that are emphasized might be more interesting and show a more sophisticated understanding of the poems.

Your thesis

The thesis of your comparison/contrast paper is very important: it can help you create a focused argument and give your reader a road map so they don’t get lost in the sea of points you are about to make. As in any paper, you will want to replace vague reports of your general topic (for example, “This paper will compare and contrast two pizza places,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in some ways and different in others,” or “Pepper’s and Amante are similar in many ways, but they have one major difference”) with something more detailed and specific. For example, you might say, “Pepper’s and Amante have similar prices and ingredients, but their atmospheres and willingness to deliver set them apart.”

Be careful, though—although this thesis is fairly specific and does propose a simple argument (that atmosphere and delivery make the two pizza places different), your instructor will often be looking for a bit more analysis. In this case, the obvious question is “So what? Why should anyone care that Pepper’s and Amante are different in this way?” One might also wonder why the writer chose those two particular pizza places to compare—why not Papa John’s, Dominos, or Pizza Hut? Again, thinking about the context the class provides may help you answer such questions and make a stronger argument. Here’s a revision of the thesis mentioned earlier:

Pepper’s and Amante both offer a greater variety of ingredients than other Chapel Hill/Carrboro pizza places (and than any of the national chains), but the funky, lively atmosphere at Pepper’s makes it a better place to give visiting friends and family a taste of local culture.

You may find our handout on constructing thesis statements useful at this stage.

Organizing your paper

There are many different ways to organize a comparison/contrast essay. Here are two:

Subject-by-subject

Begin by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then move on and make all the points you want to make about the second subject (and after that, the third, and so on, if you’re comparing/contrasting more than two things). If the paper is short, you might be able to fit all of your points about each item into a single paragraph, but it’s more likely that you’d have several paragraphs per item. Using our pizza place comparison/contrast as an example, after the introduction, you might have a paragraph about the ingredients available at Pepper’s, a paragraph about its location, and a paragraph about its ambience. Then you’d have three similar paragraphs about Amante, followed by your conclusion.

The danger of this subject-by-subject organization is that your paper will simply be a list of points: a certain number of points (in my example, three) about one subject, then a certain number of points about another. This is usually not what college instructors are looking for in a paper—generally they want you to compare or contrast two or more things very directly, rather than just listing the traits the things have and leaving it up to the reader to reflect on how those traits are similar or different and why those similarities or differences matter. Thus, if you use the subject-by-subject form, you will probably want to have a very strong, analytical thesis and at least one body paragraph that ties all of your different points together.

A subject-by-subject structure can be a logical choice if you are writing what is sometimes called a “lens” comparison, in which you use one subject or item (which isn’t really your main topic) to better understand another item (which is). For example, you might be asked to compare a poem you’ve already covered thoroughly in class with one you are reading on your own. It might make sense to give a brief summary of your main ideas about the first poem (this would be your first subject, the “lens”), and then spend most of your paper discussing how those points are similar to or different from your ideas about the second.

Point-by-point

Rather than addressing things one subject at a time, you may wish to talk about one point of comparison at a time. There are two main ways this might play out, depending on how much you have to say about each of the things you are comparing. If you have just a little, you might, in a single paragraph, discuss how a certain point of comparison/contrast relates to all the items you are discussing. For example, I might describe, in one paragraph, what the prices are like at both Pepper’s and Amante; in the next paragraph, I might compare the ingredients available; in a third, I might contrast the atmospheres of the two restaurants.

If I had a bit more to say about the items I was comparing/contrasting, I might devote a whole paragraph to how each point relates to each item. For example, I might have a whole paragraph about the clientele at Pepper’s, followed by a whole paragraph about the clientele at Amante; then I would move on and do two more paragraphs discussing my next point of comparison/contrast—like the ingredients available at each restaurant.

There are no hard and fast rules about organizing a comparison/contrast paper, of course. Just be sure that your reader can easily tell what’s going on! Be aware, too, of the placement of your different points. If you are writing a comparison/contrast in service of an argument, keep in mind that the last point you make is the one you are leaving your reader with. For example, if I am trying to argue that Amante is better than Pepper’s, I should end with a contrast that leaves Amante sounding good, rather than with a point of comparison that I have to admit makes Pepper’s look better. If you’ve decided that the differences between the items you’re comparing/contrasting are most important, you’ll want to end with the differences—and vice versa, if the similarities seem most important to you.

Our handout on organization can help you write good topic sentences and transitions and make sure that you have a good overall structure in place for your paper.

Cue words and other tips

To help your reader keep track of where you are in the comparison/contrast, you’ll want to be sure that your transitions and topic sentences are especially strong. Your thesis should already have given the reader an idea of the points you’ll be making and the organization you’ll be using, but you can help them out with some extra cues. The following words may be helpful to you in signaling your intentions:

• like, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand … on the other hand.

For example, you might have a topic sentence like one of these:

• Compared to Pepper’s, Amante is quiet.
• Like Amante, Pepper’s offers fresh garlic as a topping.
• Despite their different locations (downtown Chapel Hill and downtown Carrboro), Pepper’s and Amante are both fairly easy to get to.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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How to Use and Create a Venn Diagram to Help Write Compare and Contrast Essays

• R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen
• Categories : Help with writing assignments paragraphs, essays, outlines & more
• Tags : Homework help & study guides

Creating a Venn Diagram

When using a Venn diagram to write a compare and contrast essay, first draw two large circles. These two circles should overlap each other. Assign a title to each circle that represents each idea you are comparing. In the overlapping area, write all of the things that the two ideas, people, or objects have in common. These will be what you refer to when you are comparing these ideas in the essay. In the areas that are not overlapping, write all of the differences, or contrasts, between the two ideas, objects, or people.

Creating an Outline from Your Diagram

An example of the beginning of the outline for a compare and contrast essay should be similar to:

1. Both turtles and cats make good pets.

• a. Both of these animals are entertaining.
• b. Both animals are relatively easy to care for.
• c. Both animals are inexpensive to adopt and to care for.

2. Both turtles and cats have drawbacks.

• a. Both animals will need to have a cage (turtles) or a litter box (cats) that needs to be cleaned.
• b. Both animals require attention and time.
• c. Both animals can be costly in terms of veterinary care.

3. Cats can be easier to care for.

• a. They can feed themselves as long as their food bowl remains filled.
• b. Cats can be left alone for a day or two.

4. Turtles are less messy.

• a. Turtles live in an aquarium.
• b. Turtles do not need a litter box.

Writing the Compare and Contrast Essay

A compare and contrast essay will ultimately follow this basic format:

• Introduction and Thesis Statement (one paragraph).
• Topic One (at least one paragraph, can be more, discussing just one of the ideas, people, or objects being discussed in great detail).
• Topic Two (will follow the same guidelines as topic one).
• Topic One and Topic Two Together (analyze both topics together, can be one or more paragraphs).
• Conclusion (sum up the compare and contrast essay, should generalize the thesis and should reaffirm the thesis).

The first paragraph of the essay will be an introductory paragraph. It will also include the essay’s thesis statement. The first paragraph should present the first comparison from the Venn diagram, the second paragraph should present the second comparison from the Venn diagram, and the third paragraph should present the third comparison from the Venn diagram. If there are more comparisons on the Venn diagram, more paragraphs can be added. The fourth paragraph should present the first contrast from the Venn diagram. The fifth paragraph should present the second contrast from the Venn diagram. The sixth paragraph should present the third contrast from the Venn diagram. Like the comparison, more contrast paragraphs can be added. The eighth paragraph should present the comparisons and contrasts together. The ninth paragraph should present the conclusion, generalization of the thesis, and reaffirmation of the thesis.

Tips and Tricks

The Venn diagram should ideally contain three comparisons and three contrasts. However, it must contain at least two comparisons and two contrasts. When drawing the Venn diagram, the circles should be very large, so that all information fits within them and within their overlap. Once all of the information is written within the Venn diagram, it is a good idea to make each circle a different color, as well as the overlap area. Using three colors to “separate” the information makes a Venn diagram easier to read.

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How to Use a Venn Diagram

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What Is a Venn Diagram?

A Venn diagram is a visual tool used to compare and contrast two or more objects, events, people, or concepts. It is often used in language arts and math classes to organize differences and similarities. This simple graphic makes it easy for students to understand how two things are both different and alike at the same time. 

A Venn diagram can become complicated, but in its simplest form, it is two circles that overlap in the middle.

• Each circle represents one item that is being compared: Item 1 and item 2.
• One circle contains the qualities that are unique to item 1. The other circle contains the qualities unique to item 2.
• The area where the circles overlap contains qualities that both item 1 and item 2 have in common.

Simple Venn diagrams can be used to compare more than two things by adding more circles.

Venn Diagram Uses

Children will often learn to use Venn diagrams in language arts. They can be used to compare characteristics in two different books or two characters in the same book. A Venn diagram can also be used to:

• Visualize information for a compare-and-contrast essay : For example, a student may need to compare the differences between a fish and a whale. They are alike because they both live in the water and that is written in the overlap. Only fish have scales so that would go in the fish-only circle. Only whales breathe air and that would go in the whale-only circle.
• Brainstorm ideas when writing a story:  For example, each circle may represent a character in the story and a student may write down personality traits or events that happen to each character separately, then use the overlap to figure out where the characters interact in the story.
• Help make decisions:  A Venn diagram can also be used like a list of pros and cons when making a decision. Maybe your child wants to get a pet and you have given permission, but they cannot decide whether they want a dog or cat. You can use a Venn diagram to help them decide (and get a teaching moment in at the same time).

Venn Diagram Examples

Here are a couple more Venn diagram examples to help illustrate the many ways students can use this tool.

Compare Jobs in the Government

A student may need to compare the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government for social studies. In one circle they would list the responsibilities and powers of the president and in the other circle the job details of the Congress.

In the center would be commonalities like the fact that they are both elected to office, have term limits, and so on.

Compare Books

A Venn diagram can be used to compare two books by the same author. Dr. Seuss is a popular topic for young children. When comparing The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham, we can see that:

• Both books : Rhyme; include hats and fish; have characters who are asked to leave, get upset, and think they don't like something.
• The Cat in the Hat : There is a cat and six characters; the setting stays in the house; includes people.
• Green Eggs and Ham : There is no cat and only two characters, the story moves to different locations and includes no people. It does have green eggs and ham!

Different Ways to Make a Venn Diagram

Venn diagrams use two or more circles and there are a few different ways to make them. They can be interactive and fun.

• Draw the circles on a blank piece of paper and fill in the information. Use watercolor paints or crayons to color in the finished diagram (use two colors that combine to make a third color, such as blue and yellow to make green in the overlapping area.
• Use a dry erase board and three different colors of marker.
• Place two hula hoops on the floor and cut out strips of paper to write on and place in the correct circle. Pieces of string laid out in a circle can be used as well.
• Instead of or in addition to text, include pictures to illustrate differences and similarities.

Module 4: Writing in College

Compare and contrast, learning objectives.

• Describe techniques for writing comparison essays

Compare & Contrast Essay

Figure 1 . Comparing and contrasting means looking for similarities and differences between two things, which you can see nicely in a Venn diagram.

Compare and contrast is a rhetorical style that discusses the similarities and differences of two or more things: ideas, concepts, items, places, etc. This rhetorical style is one that you’ll see often as a complete essay, but you may also use it quite a lot within paragraphs of any kind of essay in which you need to make some kind of comparison to help illustrate a point.

A compare and contrast essay does two things: It discusses the similarities and differences of at least two different things. First, you must find a basis of comparison to be sure that the two things have enough in common.

After that, you identify their differences. You may structure the compare and contrast essay using either the  alternating method  (stating one aspect of one thing and immediately discussing the same aspect of the other item and how they are similar or different) or the  block method  (discussing all of the aspects of one thing and then discussing all of the aspects of another).

Keep the following in mind when you write a comparison and contrast essay.

Basis of Comparison

In order for your essay to be a success, you need to have a basis of comparison about the things that you’re comparing.  Do the things have enough in common for it to make sense to write about them in a compare and contrast essay? For example, it would make sense to compare in-person and online courses because the two have enough in common to justify discussing the similarities and differences of the two types of courses.

Alternating Method

When you use the alternating method, you discuss one aspect of the first item and then immediately discuss the same aspect of the second item. You may discuss the amount of computer time required for an in-person course and an online course. You may state that while you need to work on the computer for both courses, you would need to spend twice as much time on the computer for the online course.

Block Method

When you use the block method, you discuss one subject and then discuss the next subject. Usually, you would write one paragraph discussing all aspects of the first subject and then write a second paragraph discussing all aspects of the second subject and so on.

For example, if you begin with a discussion of the online course, you might discuss the amount of computer time required, the costs, the typical student success rate, and the usual instructional pedagogy. Next, you would turn to your discussion of an in-person course and discuss each of those aspects for the in-person course.

With the block method, you do not go back and forth in your discussion. First, you focus on the first subject (the online course) and then you focus on the second subject (the face-to-face course).

Combination Method

Finally, when you combine the two, you’re writing a compare and contrast essay that follows the combination method. You may spend a couple of body paragraphs using the alternating method and then decide to switch to the block method for a deeper analysis of each of the subjects.

As you can imagine, no one approach always works best, depending on the subjects, which is probably why the combination method evolved. In any case, each of these methods is not meant as a formula; use these approaches to guide you as you master this style of writing.

Example Essay

Click here to see a traditional or typical sample compare and contrast essay from a beginning writing class. In this assignment, the student was asked to write an essay comparing and contrasting two items or concepts and to follow MLA guidelines in the essay.

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A compare and contrast essay focuses on the similarities and differences between two things. It is not simply a description of the two things, but an analysis of the two objects or ideas, which clearly lays out the ways the two are related and dissonant from one another.

A useful starting point for a compare and contrast essay is to brainstorm using a Venn diagram. A Venn diagram is a visual method, using overlapping shapes (usually circles) to show relationships between two or more things.  

Start by drawing two circles that partially overlap. Label each circle with one of the things you are comparing and contrasting. In each circle, list all the properties of that item. Do the same for the second item. Anything that applies to both things should be listed where the circles intersect. Use the Venn diagram process to compare and contrast any of the suggested essay topics listed here:

• Online vs. in-person
• Film vs. literature
• Public vs. private transportation
• Apple vs. android
• Two vs. four-year colleges

Compare and contrast essays can be structured in three ways:

• Aspect Model: In this model the writer discusses all the ways the two items or ideas are similar first. Then, the writer examines all the differences. This creates two separate sections within the essay.
• Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their lower price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
• Itemized (Point-by-Point) Model: In this model the writer discusses a certain aspect of the two items, comparing and contrasting their similarities and differences. Then the writer moves to the next aspect. This model creates an essay that intermingles similarities and differences.
• Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
• PC modifiable nature
• Mac modifiable nature
• PC campus support
• Mac campus support
• Block Model: In this model the writer discusses all of one item first and then the second one.
• Modifiable nature
• Campus support
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Venn Diagram

Easily compare similarities and differences in ideas with venn diagrams, what is a venn diagram, how to draw a venn diagram, venn diagram examples, with smartdraw, you can create more than 70 types of diagrams, charts, and visuals.

A Venn diagram is a visual depiction of the similarities and differences between two or more different items. It consists of a series of shapes - usually circles - whose edges overlap. While it's not required that you use a circle, it's probably the most convenient shape because several circles can overlap easily.

Each shape represents some group or entity. Characteristics the two entities have in common are found where the shapes overlap. Items unique to only one entity are written in the non-overlapping part of their respective shapes.

If all the features of one entity are among additional features of another entity, the entire shape of the first entity is contained within that of the second.

Venn diagrams are useful in any situation requiring a direct comparison of two or more categories or concepts. Their function varies from an informative poster to a decision-making tool.

How to Make a Venn Diagram

• The first step to creating a Venn diagram is deciding what to compare. Place a descriptive title at the top of the page.
• Create the diagram. Make a circle for each of the subjects. Every circle should overlap with at least one other circle.
• Label each circle. Near or inside of each circle place the name of the topic or item which the circle represents. Avoid writing the titles inside neighboring circles in order to maintain clarity. It may be useful to distinguish the titles from other text by placing them in a box or altering their font or color.
• Enter the differences. Inside each circle place characteristics that are unique to that specific item or idea, and are not true of any of the other topics.
• Enter the similarities. If two or more subjects have a feature in common, place that feature in the section in which all such shapes overlap.

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• Visio ® for Mac

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What is a Venn diagram?

Table of Contents

Venn diagrams: a tutorial.

A Venn diagram is a type of graphic chart made of overlapping circles. Each circle represents a different concept or group of data, with the overlapping sections representing their shared qualities. This makes Venn diagrams an excellent tool for data comparison and measuring probability. By plotting out your thoughts on a Venn diagram, you can begin to see relationships and patterns emerge, which can then help you make decisions or better understand complex concepts. Creating a Venn diagram makes it easy to visualize how concepts overlap, compare, and contrast.

Types of Venn diagrams

A Venn diagram can be represented in a variety of ways. You may be most familiar with the 3 circle Venn diagram, but there are several types of Venn diagrams, each of which is used for a different reason.

2 circle Venn diagram

Two circles overlapping at the center.

Create a 2 circle Venn diagram with Miro's template.

3 circle Venn diagram

Three circles in a triad form, overlapping at the center form the 3 circle Venn diagram .

4 circle Venn diagram

Four circles in diamond form, overlapping at the center.

Create a 4-circle Venn diagram with Miro's template.

5 circle Venn diagram

Five circles overlapping at the center.

Miro has a fully customizable 5-circle Venn diagram template.

Edwards-Venn diagram

A fourth version of the Venn diagram was developed in the mid-1800s by a British biologist named Anthony Edwards. He called it the Edwards-Venn diagram, or EV diagram. Instead of having 2-4 circles, the EV diagram is inspired by the layout of a tennis ball. This Venn diagram type helps identify and classify overlapping characteristics between a much larger number of groups or concepts. While the traditional 2, 3, and 4 circle Venn diagrams are best used for smaller groups of datasets, the Edwards-Venn diagram is best suited for analyzing a subject from a wider variety of perspectives. However, all Venn diagram types serve the purpose of comparison and contrast.

Advantages of using a Venn diagram

The beauty of a Venn diagram lies in its simplicity but versatility. From marketing to mathematics, the Venn diagram is an asset. Here are some of the many benefits of using Venn diagrams with your team.

Useful for brainstorming

If your team is looking for a quick way to brainstorm ideas and get to the root of an issue, a Venn diagram may be just what you need. By using the circles to represent potential ideas, the overlapping areas can help highlight what works best and is most conducive to your strategy.

See the relationships between two items

When two circles inside a Venn diagram overlap, the overlapping portion shows the connection point between the two different groups. This can be extremely useful in identifying the relationships between various subjects and gaining a deeper understanding of shared benefits.

Compare choices

A compare and contrast Venn diagram is one of the most popular ones you will find in the workplace. This unique visual chart allows teams to draw tangible comparisons between vastly different datasets, allowing for more informed decision-making.

Visually organize and represent information

A visual chart is a great way to encourage an intuitive understanding of a diverse group of people. During a meeting or a conference, using a Venn diagram can help speakers communicate and organize their ideas in a naturally graspable way.

Solve difficult math problems

The Venn diagram has been used for thousands of years in mathematics and science. When applied through a mathematical lens, Venn diagrams can visually compare numbers and reach probability conclusions instead of simply comparing concepts or ideas.

When to use a Venn diagram

Many professions and environments rely on the Venn diagram as a source of clarity for measuring and dissecting relationships between items. You can find Venn diagrams in a wide variety of industries, including:

Part of what makes the Venn diagram so popular in so many different industries is the fact that it can be simplified to such a point that even a child can easily interpret its symbols. Education is a great place to use the Venn diagram because it introduces students to the concepts of probability and interconnectedness between multiple objects. It also helps lay a foundation for learning mathematics in high school.

Decision-making

Venn diagrams are a great tool for helping you make decisions. When you need to consider several factors that overlap to make a decision, creating a Venn diagram can help you analyze the different options available and which one will give you the best outcome. For example, you may have come up with a list of business ideas and are trying to decide which idea is the best to pursue. A Venn diagram can help you decide on the best option by identifying which hits that ‘sweet spot’ of being profitable, has demand, and is something you are passionate about.

Mathematics

In the field of mathematics, a Venn diagram can illustrate logical connections between numbers and determine probability outcomes. For example, a mathematician may use a Venn diagram to show the correlation between different groups of subsets or numbers. Because a Venn diagram can help you measure, compare, and connect data sets, it makes sense that this unique chart can be used to analyze numerical values.

When estimating or predicting a particular event’s outcome, you need tools to help visualize all the potentialities. For this reason, the Venn diagram has been instrumental in the field of statistics and probability.

There is something very straightforward and logical about the structure of a Venn diagram. Separating different concepts or items into equally positioned circles makes it easier to visualize and understand the relationships between a diverse group of ideas.

Computer science

In modern computer science, Venn diagrams are often used to help visualize relations between sets of data. They are helpful in understanding how different classes, sets, and objects relate to each other within any given computing system, and can be used to express similar elements between different languages of code to create more efficient systems.

Linguistics

Global linguistics is full of interconnected pathways and hierarchies. The Venn diagram is extremely useful to those studying the complex relationships between different languages and dialects. This diagram allows people to visualize these connections with ease.

You might most commonly find the Venn diagram in the corporate world. Business operations call for constant comparisons of data. This helps professionals set up business strategies and campaigns for future success.

Glossary and symbols of the Venn diagram

There are many symbols of a Venn diagram worth learning if you want to use this type of diagram to its full potential. The most notable ones include:

A collection of objects or elements. Each set is represented by a closed shape, most commonly a circle.

Where two shapes (representing individual ideas) interconnect. This is represented by the union symbol ∪. For example, A ∪ B denotes all elements that are in set A, or in B, or in both.

Intersection (∩)

The center point of a Venn diagram, where all the shapes intersect. The intersection is represented by the symbol ∩. In this example, A ∩ B includes all elements that are in both A and B.

Universal set (U)

A set that includes all the relevant information from your Venn diagram. The universal set is denoted as U or sometimes ξ.

Empty set (Ø)

A set that does not contain any elements.

Complement (')

A set comprised of the elements present in a universal set. The complement of a set A (denoted by A' or sometimes Ac) includes all elements that are not in A, but are in the universal set.

How to make a Venn diagram

There are lots of different ways to go about creating a Venn diagram. But the right template can help format and structure any compare or contrast analysis. Here’s how to draw a Venn diagram using Miro’s intuitive Venn Diagram Template :

First, write down all the objects, elements, and ideas you want to depict. This collection of data is your universal set.

Next, decide which type of Venn diagram is most suitable. For example, to find the similarities and differences between three sets, you should use a 3 circle Venn diagram.

Draw a circle for each data set. The template already has three circles for each set, and you can add and delete circles as necessary.

Add each element to your diagram depending on whether they have similarities or differences with the other sets. Elements with no similarities will go in one of the circles for each set: A, B, or C. If there is a similarity between an item from A and B, this item will go into the overlapping section of these two circles. This will be included in the union of your Venn diagram.

If the characteristic of an element is shared with A, B, and C, this element will go into the center of the diagram, where all the circles intersect. This will be the intersection of your diagram.

Once all your sets are added to your diagram, it’s time to personalize your Venn diagram with colors, labels, and notes. Share your Venn diagram with your team, and tag your team members to ask for their input and feedback.

Venn diagrams and set theory

We discussed earlier how Venn diagrams are useful in several fields. Let’s look at how Venn diagrams are used in a branch of mathematics called set theory. Set theory is a branch of mathematics that tackles an object’s shared and individual properties. The 2, 3, and 4 circle Venn diagram is used in this segment of mathematics. The process behind set theory marries well with the structure of a Venn diagram because they both deal with comparing multiple objects (or numbers) at once. For example, a Venn diagram could help illustrate a set theory equation to determine which properties are shared by a group of numbers. A “set” is a collection of objects, each object representing a single element of the whole. Let’s say we have a 2 circle Venn diagram. One circle is red, and the other is blue. These are our two objects. The center point where these two objects overlap is called the intersection. The space within that intersection now represents the quality that red and blue share: purple. This process can be applied to any objects and their relative overlapping similarities. From colors to numbers to sports, any objects can be compared through the lens of set theory and a Venn diagram.

Calculating probability with a Venn diagram

Another area where Venn diagrams are used extensively is to calculate probability. Venn diagram probability is a product of mathematics used to predict the outcome of a scenario. For example, you might use a 2 circle Venn diagram to calculate the probability of an event occurring. They would do this by inserting numbers rather than concepts or ideas into the circles. Let's use the example of a pack of playing cards to show how Venn diagrams are used to calculate the probability of different events. Excluding jokers, a pack of cards has 52 cards. The pack consists of four suits, with 13 types of cards in each suit. You want to know the probability of picking a Queen or a Heart. The rectangle represents all of the outcomes, which is all 52 cards. Since there are four Queens in a pack, the possibility of picking a Queen is 4/52. The probability of picking a Heart is 13/52. But one of those cards is both — a Queen and a Heart (the Queen of Hearts). The circles overlap to show that this card is in both sets. Visualizing the outcomes with a Venn diagram ensures you don’t double-count the Queen of Hearts. Based on the Venn diagram, you would use the following calculation: 4+13-1 = 16. The probability of picking a Queen or a Heart is 16/52. A calculation like this could help people determine the probability of a wide variety of events or situations, such as the success of a project, how many customers to expect, or the outcome of a marketing campaign. Probability forms a big part of how businesses track and measure success.

Using Venn diagrams to compare and contrast

One of the most popular uses for the Venn diagram is as a tool for brainstorming ideas by comparing and contrasting them against one another. A compare and contrast Venn diagram is easy to understand visually and can be broken down into simple structures for easy interpretation. For example, if you were writing a compare and contrast essay, you might use a Venn diagram to help elucidate the main differences between your chosen topics. To write a compelling compare and contrast essay, you need a profound understanding of your subjects' innate characteristics and differences. Start by drawing 2-4 overlapping circles representing your main topics or subjects of comparison. Then, fill up the overlapping spaces with characteristics that the intersecting subjects share. The outer, non-connected spaces can be filled with characteristics that are unique to the subject, thus representing the differences. The central intersection will represent what ties all of your subjects together. Before writing a compare and contrast essay, you might consider using a Venn diagram to help draw a clearer picture of how your topics are related to each other — and how they are not.

Venn diagrams vs Euler diagrams

Another type of diagram that looks very similar to a Venn diagram is the Euler diagram . Both Euler and Venn diagrams are based on set theory and consist of circles showing the relationships between a set. However, they are not the same. A Venn diagram shows all the possible relationships between different sets. This includes relationships that are hypothetically possible. Venn diagrams include all possible combinations of intersections between the elements. An Euler diagram only shows the intersection combinations or relationships that already exist. It includes circles that either include, exclude, or intersect.

A key tip for identifying whether a diagram is a Venn or Euler diagram is to see if there is an empty intersection. With Venn diagrams, you must depict each intersection between sets, even if the intersection is empty. But an Euler diagram only depicts intersections that are not empty. Euler diagrams tend to be more complicated than Venn diagrams. They are used to explain complex hierarchies, depict overlapping definitions, and determine whether a logical argument is valid.

Venn diagram example

Here’s a practical example of how to use a Venn diagram in the world of business. Let’s say you need to compare the roles or responsibilities of different teams within an organization for a more streamlined workflow. You want to depict the relationship between marketing teams and web development teams. Marketing teams handle data analytics, legal administration, consumer research, social media representation, and brand management. Web development teams handle UX and UI design, brand management, quality testing, SEO analysis, project management, consumer research, and data analytics. In this Venn diagram example, the intersection would include all the overlapping areas of responsibility — data analytics, brand management, and consumer research. These would be areas where marketing and web development teams can collaborate. Venn diagram examples can illustrate the relationships and differences between any objects or elements. In the workplace, a Venn diagram provides profound insights for brainstorming, strategy development, and comparing or contrasting arguments.

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The English Classroom

A GUIDE FOR PRESERVICE AND GRADUATE TEACHERS

Venn Diagrams: Encouraging Students Compare and Contrast

The solution.

Your students need to compare and contrast information.

The Situation

Venn diagrams are a useful tool to compare characters, features of a text and a number of other writing features. Remember, consider what you want your students to do and consider Bloom’s Taxonomy prior to making the lesson.

A venn diagram is simply tow circles that overlap; student record the differing and similar qualities in their respected boxes.

Check out the following example:

There are a number of ways you might use a Venn diagram. In this example, students use a Venn diagram to compare advertisements from different social contexts:

In this example, students compare the target audience of two picture books (Based solely on the images provided).

Venn diagrams can be used to compare more than two items. In this example, students have looked at the types of film trailers (teaser, theatrical and International). They need compare the qualities for each:

And to make things even more complicated, you can complete a Venn diagram as a cooperative task between four students. For example, you assign each student a box and they make their own comparisons. Next, they talk to each other and come up with a group consensus based on their own understanding. This can then be shared with the remainder of a the class for a broader discussion. Check out the instructions below:

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Compare and Contrast Essay

Writing – compare and contrast essay.

Writing an effective essay can sometimes be a very draining process. If it is a compare and contrast essay , it can be an even tougher task to write an intriguing one where two seemingly different topics have to be pit against each other as opposed to concentrating on one single topic in a persuasive essay.

Compare and contrast essays share many similarities with other types of essays, but they also differ in many ways—and that is the heart of comparing and contrasting! By observing the similarities and differences, the reader gains a better understanding of each subject by using the other as a frame of reference.

In contrast to persuasive or argumentative essays , compare-and-contrast essays deal with multiple topics at once rather than focusing on just one. The disadvantage is that they do not describe individual subjects as thoroughly as single-topic essays do. The compare and contrast essay can also act as an exercise in demonstrating how well you understand both subjects.

Let us learn how to write a compare-and-contrast essay.

Compare and Contrast:

It is a common practice to write compare-and-contrast essays.

Imagine you have decided to buy a new cell phone. There are quite a few of them in the market that you have liked. But you are in a dilemma over which one to finalize. One phone may have certain features the other one doesn’t and vice-versa.

When such a situation arises, comparing and contrasting the two things could prove to be a really handy option.

When we compare two things, we list down or describe the similarities they share in common.

In an opposite way, while contrasting, we write down the differences between the two entities.

Therefore, a compare and contrast essay is one where we write the similarities and differences between two things. They can be an inanimate object, an abstract idea, or any living being like animals, human beings, etc.

Some important points to keep in mind while writing a compare and contrast essay are:

• Our points should be explained with as many details to support the point we intend to make so that they stand out.
• The contrasting points should be based on the same criteria, like;
• iPhones have top quality cameras and Samsung produces phones with camera quality that is slightly inferior to that of iPhones.
• Here, the camera feature is the criteria based on which the phones are contrasted.
• To maintain a flow in the essays, we can use linking words like similarly, in common, like, as well as, to compare, and on the other hand, however, although, even though, etc. to contrast.

While outlining the different ideas that should be incorporated into the essay, you might find yourself at a roadblock as to which points should be included. In such situations, use a Venn Diagram which is a visual aid that will assist you in determining which characteristics your subjects share and which are unique to them.

Venn Diagrams:

A Venn diagram is an effective tool for brainstorming and comparing two or more objects, events, or people. It can be used as a starting point for developing an outline for a compare and contrast essay.

A Venn diagram is made up of two overlapping circles. Each circle represents an idea/object each that is to be compared. The similarities both the objects share should be written in the overlapping portion. The points here can be used to compare similar characteristics in the essay.

And the portion that doesn’t overlap should be used to accommodate the differences between the objects. The points here can be used to contrast the differences in the essay.

The Harry Potter series features a number of well-known characters. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are probably two of the most well-etched-out ones. While it may appear that these two boys are diametrically opposed, they actually share several similarities as well as differences. Observe how the following Venn Diagram acts as the outline for the compare and contrast essay that is to follow about these well-known characters by comparing them point by point.

Now, using these points, let’s see how the compare and contrast essay on the topic Harry Potter vs. Draco Malfoy looks.

Harry Potter vs. Draco Malfoy

Can a hero and a villain ever be the same person? Surprisingly, it appears that the answer to that question is no. Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter have more in common than you might think. Comparing and contrasting these two distinct characters based on their fates, families, and friends reveal that Harry and Draco might prove to you how the line between hero and villain can blur owing to the circumstances.

You have no control over your destiny. The truth of these words drives the paths of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy’s lives. However, how each boy’s fate unfolds is what distinguishes one as a hero and the other as a villain. Harry Potter was born to be the “Chosen One.” He did not choose this fate, but it was thrust upon him as a child. His life course is largely dictated by the events played out for his family. Draco Malfoy, on the other hand, has family expectations of supporting the death eaters due to his father’s affiliation. Failure to follow Voldemort could result in his as well as his family’s death.

While fate is inevitable, it is their families who cement their fate. True, both boys had parents who adored them. However, the fact that Harry’s parents died when he was a child and that he was raised by the Dursleys prepared him for the difficulties that lay ahead. He had developed a thick skin as a result of years of ridicule and emotional abuse. So, when it came to what was right and wrong, he was willing to stand up and fight for what was right. This was not the case with Draco. Draco, who had been coddled by his mother Narcissa, lacked the courage to stand up to his family or Voldemort. He just accepted his fate.

Their friends were another factor that influenced their characters. Both boys had a tight-knit group of friends on whom they could rely. The thugs, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were Draco’s friends. Their friendship, however, was more of a leader-subordinate relationship. Harry, on the other hand, was close to Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. Throughout the series, their friendship grew to be as close as a family. They were also crucial in Harry’s victory over Voldemort.

When comparing and contrasting Draco and Harry, it’s clear that the boys aren’t as dissimilar as they appear. Their fates could have been altered had their families or friends been different. So, the question becomes, are heroes and villains defined by good and evil?

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Compare and contrast essays are taught in school for many reasons. For one thing, they are relatively easy to teach, understand, and format. Students can typically understand the structure with just a short amount of instruction. In addition, these essays allow students develop critical thinking skills to approach a variety of topics.

Brainstorming Tip

One fun way to get students started brainstorming their compare and contrast essays is to create a Venn diagram , where the overlapping sections of the circle contain similarities and the non-overlapping areas contain the differing traits.

Following is a list of 101 topics for compare and contrast essays that you are welcome to use in your classroom. As you look through the list you will see that some items are academic in nature while others are included for interest-building and fun writing activities.

• Apple vs. Microsoft
• Coke vs. Pepsi
• Renaissance Art vs. Baroque Art
• Antebellum Era vs. Reconstruction Era in American History
• Childhood vs. Adulthood
• Star Wars vs. Star Trek
• Biology vs. Chemistry
• Astrology vs. Astronomy
• American Government vs. British Government (or any world government)
• Fruits vs. Vegetables
• Dogs vs. Cats
• Ego vs. Superego
• Christianity vs. Judaism (or any world religion )
• Republican vs. Democrat
• Monarchy vs. Presidency
• US President vs. UK Prime Minister
• Jazz vs. Classical Music
• Red vs. White (or any two colors)
• Soccer vs. Football
• North vs. South Before the Civil War
• New England Colonies vs. Middle Colonies OR vs. Southern Colonies
• Cash vs. Credit Cards
• Sam vs. Frodo Baggins
• Gandalf vs. Dumbledore
• Fred vs. Shaggy
• Rap vs. Pop
• Articles of Confederation vs. U.S. Constitution
• Henry VIII vs. King Louis XIV
• Stocks vs. Bonds
• Monopolies vs. Oligopolies
• Communism vs. Capitalism
• Socialism vs. Capitalism
• Diesel vs. Petroleum
• Nuclear Power vs. Solar Power
• Saltwater Fish vs. Freshwater Fish
• Squids vs. Octopus
• Mammals vs. Reptiles
• Baleen vs. Toothed Whales
• Seals vs. Sea Lions
• Crocodiles vs. Alligators
• Bats vs. Birds
• Oven vs. Microwave
• Greek vs. Roman Mythology
• Chinese vs. Japanese
• Comedy vs. Drama
• Renting vs. Owning
• Mozart vs. Beethoven
• Online vs. Traditional Education
• North vs. South Pole
• Watercolor vs. Oil
• 1984 vs. Fahrenheit 451
• Emily Dickinson vs. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• W.E.B. DuBois vs. Booker T. Washington
• Strawberries vs. Apples
• Airplanes vs. Helicopters
• Hitler vs. Napoleon
• Roman Empire vs. British Empire
• Paper vs. Plastic
• Italy vs. Spain
• Baseball vs. Cricket
• Jefferson vs. Adams
• Thoroughbreds vs. Clydesdales
• Spiders vs. Scorpions
• Northern Hemisphere vs. Southern Hemisphere
• Hobbes vs. Locke
• Friends vs. Family
• Dried Fruit vs. Fresh
• Porcelain vs. Glass
• Modern Dance vs. Ballroom Dancing
• American Idol vs. The Voice
• Reality TV vs. Sitcoms
• Picard vs. Kirk
• Books vs. Movies
• Magazines vs. Comic Books
• Antique vs. New
• Public vs. Private Transportation
• Email vs. Letters
• Facebook vs. Twitter
• Coffee vs. an Energy Drink
• Toads vs. Frogs
• Profit vs. Non-Profit
• Boys vs. Girls
• Birds vs. Dinosaurs
• High School vs. College
• Chamberlain vs. Churchill
• Offense vs. Defense
• Jordan vs. Bryant
• Harry vs. Draco
• Roses vs. Carnations
• Poetry vs. Prose
• Fiction vs. Nonfiction
• Lions vs. Tigers
• Vampires vs. Werewolves
• Lollipops vs. popsicles
• Summer vs. Winter
• Recycling vs. Landfill
• Motorcycle vs. Bicycle
• Halogen vs. Incandescent
• Newton vs. Einstein
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A Better Way to Use Venn Diagrams When Comparing and Contrasting

Venn Diagrams are a tool commonly used in 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade classrooms to teach students how to compare and contrast.  And while Venn Diagrams worksheets can be useful, they can also be used in a way that promotes lower level thinking instead of higher level thinking.

Usually, teachers give students a completely blank Venn Diagram template.  At first glance, a blank diagram seems like it would encourage higher level thinking because it is completely open ended.  However, this often solicits very surface level answers.

How many times have you asked a student to compare themselves with a main character from a book and they proudly announced, "I am a boy and the main character in the story was a girl!"  Or, "We both have a brother."  Very surface level observations are most common.

To utilize Venn Diagrams to their full potential, we need to draw out higher level thinking from our students.

Scaffold Higher Level Thinking in Venn Diagrams

Often, teachers teach students how to use Venn Diagrams using the "I Do, We Do, You Do" method.  First, we model to students.  Then, we have students complete a Venn Diagram with us.  Finally, we give students a blank one to fill out on their own.  And while this can be an effective method, students need a LOT more of the "We Do" if they are going to use higher level thinking.

Start scaffolding this by providing students with already written statements.  Have students decide where on the Venn Diagram the statements belong.  Use statements that require students to think a little more deeply about the text.

Giving students several opportunities to read and sort statements that had higher level thinking involved will help them see that they should be including thoughtful, deep answers when filling out Venn Diagrams rather than surface level answers.

This does take more preparation, but it is a great way to model high expectations to students.  And even better, this Venn Diagram freebie requires no prep on your part!

Using Venn Diagrams in Your Comparing and Contrasting Lessons

After students have had plenty of examples, they will most likely still need additional scaffolding in order to provide answers that require higher level thinking. Do this by asking students to provide a similarity or difference about a certain topic.

For example, have students come up with a similarity or difference in the character traits of two of the characters.  This requires students to think at a deeper level and keeps them from being able to provide a surface level answer.

Use this list of ideas below to help you direct your 3rd grade, 4th grade, or 5th grade students to higher level thinking when comparing and contrasting.

Comparing and Contrasting in Fiction - Have students provide a similarity or difference about:

• character traits
• attitudes/thoughts
• how the characters changed
• what the character learned
• important events that occurred in the beginning/middle/end
• the problems the characters had
• how the characters solved problems
• how the characters behaved
• the theme of 2 different stories

Comparing and Contrasting in Nonfiction - Have students provide a similarity or difference about:  

• important events
• text features
• the author's point of view
• something new students learned about the topic
• something students already knew about the topic
• most important difference/most important similarity

Giving students a little more direction as they fill in a blank graphic organizer will help them think more deeply.

You might also like these other compare and contrast activity ideas. Having students complete a ranking activity, answer "Would You Rather" questions, or use table and charts are also great ways to encourage higher level thinking in your comparing and contrasting lessons.

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Exploring Compare and Contrast Structure in Expository Texts

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
• Related Resources

This lesson focuses on identifying and analyzing the compare and contrast text structure within expository texts. First, students are introduced to the terms compare and contrast and asked to find similarities and differences between two common items. Next, students work in small groups to identify texts that are comparing and contrasting information. Students are then introduced to the Venn diagram as a tool that demonstrates similarities and differences and aids in learning new material.

Featured Resources

• Online Venn Diagram : Use this interactive online tool to help your students compare and contrast differing ideas in the texts they read.
• Venn Diagram mobile app: Compare and contrast ideas on a mobile device.
• Nests and Houses PowerPoint Presentation : Provides the visual support your students need to help them identify key elements and structures in compare/contrast texts.

From Theory to Practice

• By learning to identify and use specific strategies for reading, students will be able to read and study more quickly and effectively.
• Introducing graphic organizers, such as a Venn diagram, can help students see a picture of the ideas and their relationships, which will help them remember the information being presented.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
• 3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
• 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

• Computers with Internet access or tablet devices 
• Index cards
• A compare and contrast paragraph from your school curriculum or from the Internet Articles Written in the Compare and Contrast Format list
• Nests and Houses PowerPoint presentation
• Compare and Contrast Tool Kit
• Paragraph Practice
• Venn Diagram Rubric
• Group Skills Tracking Sheet
• Venn Diagram, 2 Circles

Preparation

Student objectives.

Students will

• Build their understanding of the terms compare and contrast by participating in class discussions and by using Internet resources such as the Comparison and Contrast Guide
• Work collaboratively to identify similarities and differences among subject matter
• Examine curriculum-based text to compare and contrast ideas
• Demonstrate understanding of the compare and contrast strategy by visually representing information in a Venn diagram

Session 1: Understanding Compare and Contrast

Session 2: identifying texts that compare and contrast items, session 3: comparing and contrasting items within a text, session 4: creating a venn diagram.

• Follow up this lesson with another ReadWriteThink lesson, “Teaching the Compare and Contrast Essay through Modeling.”
• Have students use the Compare & Contrast Map to plan an essay about the similarities and differences between different kinds of homes.
• Have students use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast character traits from a story or article read in class.
• Ask students to interview a friend or family member who has lived in the same neighborhood for a long period of time and write a paragraph expressing what has changed and what has stayed the same in the community. They can then create a Venn diagram entitled "My Neighborhood: Then and Now."

Student Assessment / Reflections

• Use the Venn Diagram Rubric to guide your instruction and as an indicator for which students have a strong grasp of the compare and contrast strategy and which students need further instruction. If possible, continue practicing this strategy with students who need more support until they are able to independently read a compare and contrast article and create a Venn diagram. The Internet Articles Written in the Compare and Contrast Format list provides compare and contrast articles for extra practice.
• Observe students during class discussions. Closely monitor students who do not share during whole-class discussions. Find a time to conference with them one-on-one or to observe them while they are working independently and in groups to make sure that they understand the concepts discussed in class.
• The Group Skills Tracking Sheet can help guide your observations while students are working with partners, in groups, or independently. Use your checklist to help form small groups for extra instruction or to identify students who need remediation or modification.
• Calendar Activities
• Student Interactives

This interactive tool allows students to create Venn diagrams that contain two or three overlapping circles, enabling them to organize their information logically.

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• Kindergarten K

Free Printable Venn Diagram Templates & Worksheets

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Are you in need of a printable venn diagram template for your kids or students? These free graphic organizers can help students organize their information when comparing and contrasting different items. 

What is a VENN DIAGRAM?  A Venn diagram is a visual organizers that helps show how things are similar and different. It’s made up of overlapping circles, where each circle represents a group or category of things. The parts where the circles overlap show what those groups have in common, and the separate parts of the circles show what makes them different. It’s a simple way to compare and contrast different ideas, objects, or groups to understand how they relate to each other.

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These printable venn diagrams are a great visual way for kids and students to organize information for things like research projects, book reports, or essays. 

To download your own printable venn diagram template just keep reading!

Download the Venn Diagram Templates Now

There are 12 different venn diagrams to choose from. You can choose from comparing 2 or 3 items or lined and unlined versions.

They are all easy to download and print PDF files. 

To download, simply click the link below the number line you want and it will download to your device. 

These venn diagram templates are free for your personal or classroom use only. 

Printable Venn Diagram Template for Comparing and Contrasting Two Items- Unlined

Download the Template Now

Printable Venn Diagram Template for Comparing and Contrasting Two Items- Lined

Printable Venn Diagram Template for Comparing and Contrasting Three Items- Unlined

Printable Venn Diagram Template for Comparing and Contrasting Three Items- With Labels

You are free to use these printable venn diagram templates for personal or workplace use. Please don’t share the file, but if you’d like to share the templates with friends, please forward this page to them so that they can download the file themselves. This download may not be used in any commercial fashion.  

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