HOW TO COMPARE ARTICLES THROUGH A VENN DIAGRAM

Originally published in

July 15, 2020

@ jeanillec.blogspot.com 

Comparison and contrast of ideas develop thinking flexibility which pushes learners to strive for accuracy when applying past knowledge to new situation. This develops clarity and precision in communication because it helps in the organization of information when expanding ideas.

One of the many techniques used in presenting comparison and contrast is the use of the Venn diagram. Study the Venn diagram below.

Your task is to compare two articles with related ideas and must be written by two different authors. Take note of the labels on the diagram below.

The most common mistakes students make in writing the differences is when the latter do not match. You have to make sure that the statement in the left must be congruent to the right so that you will see the level of contrast. Take a look at the sample above thoroughly.

Another thing, you do not necessarily have to exactly copy what the author states in the article, you have to paraphrase to shorten it. You wouldn't want your diagram to be verbose.

SO HOW DO WE START THIS?

1. THOROUGH READING

1. THOROUGH READING

Of course start with your search for the right articles. In your case one article is already given: EXPOSURE: Key to Language Survival, next look for an article that you think is best to compare it with. So this means read the article thoroughly first so that you would have an idea what would be the content of the other article you are going to look for.

2. DETERMINE THE DOMINANT ARTICLE

2. DETERMINE THE DOMINANT ARTICLE

Once you already have found the article to compare with the one assigned let's say for instance, this article as seen in the sample diagram, Why the World Needs Leaders. Read closely to get the salient points or the prevalent arguments of the writer. In the case of the example above the dominant article is What Makes a Leader? How would you know? Well, this is the article which presents more information. It is wise to start with something that has more to make sure you won't fall short of data. 

The draft below shows how the salient points of the article are taken out into short and direct phrases. Well, it's a draft! This marks the beginning of how you organize thinking.

3. ARGUMENT ALIGNMENT

3. ARGUMENT ALIGNMENT

After going through the essential ideas of the dominant article, go through the second one now. You make sure to read closely once more in comparison to the ideas you have picked out from the other article. Match the ideas from the second article to the ideas of the dominant article regardless of whether it affirms or negates. See example below.

4. COMPARE AND CONTRAST

4. COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Using the information you already have picked from both articles, identify which ideas are cons or pros. You may simply write an x for cons or opposite ideas and a check mark for the pros or similar ideas. Observe the table below. The highlighted information are the differences while matching information that are not highlighted are similarities.

4. PARAPHRASE

5. PARAPHRASE

Compare how the ideas from the draft are stated with the ones found in the diagram. You can only paraphrase if you understand the information you are working on, so read closely and analytically. Lastly, be as brief as possible.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE EXTRA INFORMATION IN YOUR DRAFT?

Those information would be useful once you craft your conclusion and application; but for now, work on the Venn diagram.

References:

Silver, H. (2020).  Compare and Contrast. 

Retrieved from  https://bit.ly/3gXj4La 

Bradberry, T. (29 March 2019). What makes a leader? Retrieved from

https://www.success.com/what-makes-a-leader/