Contrasting Words

When we contrast one thing with another, we think about many different aspects of both things, ideas, or words. Somehow finding contrasts helps us to focus on each detail. Contrasting two words can be a great way to clarify and strengthen your understanding of each word’s meaning. A Word Contrast graphic organizer helps students to contrast two different vocabulary words. On it, students write the words; they describe each word; and they draw a picture that relates to each word and its meaning. Finally, students explain how the two words contrast. Using descriptions and pictures, and then contrasting two words can help students make connections with their vocabulary words. When they write about and share the contrasts they’ve found, they’ll begin to understand each word better. That’s a great result because better understanding leads to using these new words more often, and that leads to a larger and stronger working vocabulary!

Vocabulary

Word Parts
Rhyming
Word Details
Word System

Blank Glossary Entry
Word Contrast
Word Comparison