Compare and contrast points of view
Key Notes :
What is Point of View?
- Point of view (POV) is the perspective from which a story is told or information is presented.
Types of Point of View:
- First Person: The narrator is a character in the story (uses “I,” “me,” “we”).
Example: I walked through the forest, feeling scared. - Third Person: The narrator is not a character (uses “he,” “she,” “they”).
Example: She walked through the forest, feeling scared.
Author’s Point of View:
- The author’s opinions, feelings, or beliefs about a topic.
- Look for word choices or strong language that shows opinion or bias.
Character’s Point of View:
- How a character thinks or feels about what’s happening.
- Characters can have different views about the same event.
Compare and Contrast Points of View:
- Compare: Find similarities in thoughts or feelings.
- Contrast: Find differences in opinions or perspectives.
- Use a Venn diagram or T-chart to organize ideas.
Clues to Identify Point of View:
- Pronouns (I, he, she, they)
- Inner thoughts or feelings
- Dialogue and tone of voice
- Descriptions of events
Why It Matters:
- Helps readers understand characters better
- Shows how people see the same situation differently
- Encourages empathy and critical thinking
Signal Words for Comparing and Contrasting:
- Compare: both, similarly, like, also
- Contrast: however, but, on the other hand, although
Learn with an example
➡️ Read the texts.
Text 1
I just had one of the greatest experiences of my life, and it’s all thanks to the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000! I found this amazing showerhead for the bargain price of $5,000. It only took five quick minutes to set up, and then I was in for a treat. I felt like I was on holiday, bathing in a tropical waterfall. I can’t wait to buy one of these showerheads for my best friend’s birthday. Thank you, TurboJet!
Text 2
I feel like I need to go to the hospital because I bought a piece of junk called the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000. I thought it would be worth spending extra money on a showerhead, but I’ve never been so wrong. At first, things were going well. It took only a couple of minutes to attach the Shower Pro. But then, the terror began. The shower felt like a thousand tiny daggers were piercing my skin. I wouldn’t wish this showerhead on my worst enemy. TurboJet, I WANT MY MONEY BACK!
Which author would agree with the opinions below?
| Opinion | Text 1 author | Text 2 author |
| Showering with the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 is a relaxing experience. | ||
| Setting up the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 is easy. | ||
| The TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 would make an excellent gift. |
Opinion: Showering with the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 is a relaxing experience.
The author of Text 1 says, ‘I felt like I was on holiday, bathing in a tropical waterfall.’ The author of Text 2 says, ‘The shower felt like a thousand tiny daggers were piercing my skin.’ So, only the author of Text 1 would agree that showering with the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 is a relaxing experience.
Opinion: Setting up the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 is easy. The author of Text 1 says, ‘It only took five quick minutes to set up’. The author of Text 2 says, ‘It took only a couple of minutes to attach the Shower Pro.’ So, both authors would agree that setting up the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 is easy.
Opinion: The TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 would make an excellent gift. The author of Text 1 says, ‘I can’t wait to buy one of these showerheads for my best friend’s birthday.’ The author of Text 2 says, ‘I wouldn’t wish this showerhead on my worst enemy.’ So, only the author of Text 1 would agree that the TurboJet Shower Pro 9000 would make an excellent gift.
➡️ Read the texts.
Text 1
On our family holiday this year, we decided to try snorkelling. I am not a very strong swimmer, so this seemed less scary to me than scuba diving. The only positive thing about this experience was seeing all of the brightly coloured fish. We kept going further and further away from the shore, and I was terrified, especially when I saw a shark under us! At that point, I swam back to the shore and waited for everyone to finish.
Text 2
While on holiday, I went snorkelling for the first time, and I loved it! It was amazing to see the colourful sea creatures swimming around me. At one point, I saw a shark and was amazed by its power and strength. This experience made me want to go deeper and explore more, so I think it would be even more exciting to try scuba diving.
Which author would agree with the opinions below?
| Opinion | Text 1 author | Text 2 author |
| Scuba diving would be a fun experience . | ||
| Swimming with sharks is scary | ||
| Seeing colorful sea animals is one of the best part of snorkelling. |
Opinion: Scuba diving would be a fun experience. The author of Text 1 says snorkelling ‘seemed less scary to me than scuba diving.’ The author of Text 2 thinks that ‘it would be even more exciting to try scuba diving.’ So, only the author of Text 2 would agree that scuba diving would be a fun experience.
Opinion: Swimming with sharks is scary. The author of Text 1 was ‘terrified’ to see a shark and got out of the water immediately. The author of Text 2 says, ‘I saw a shark and was amazed by its power and strength.’ So, only the author of Text 1 would agree that swimming with sharks is scary.
Opinion: Seeing colourful sea animals is one of the best parts of snorkelling. The author of Text 1 says, ‘The only positive thing about this experience was seeing all of the brightly coloured fish.’ The author of Text 2 says, ‘It was amazing to see the colourful sea creatures swimming around me.’ So, both authors would agree that seeing colourful sea animals is one of the best parts of snorkelling.
➡️ Read the texts.
Text 1
The two spring sports at school are tennis and football. I like tennis because I don’t need teammates and can practise alone by hitting the ball against the wall. The more I practise on my own, the more I win. With football, I can practise all I want, but that doesn’t mean our team will win. What if others don’t practise kicking the ball? Also, in football, you waste time running back and forth when you don’t have the ball.
Text 2
I can’t wait to play football at school this spring, but I’m not looking forward to tennis. In both games, you have to work hard to learn how to control the ball correctly, but in football, you get to work as a team. It is great to run and pass the ball with your teammates. I love celebrating with everyone after a win, too. In tennis, though, you work alone and don’t get to run around as much.
Which author would agree with the opinions below?
| Opinion | Text 1 author | Text 2 author |
| Playing tennis is better than playing football . | ||
| Running is part of what makes football enjoyable. | ||
| It takes skill to play tennis |
Opinion: Playing tennis is better than playing football. The author of Text 1 doesn’t like having to rely on a team and says that ‘you waste time running back and forth’ when playing football. The author of Text 2 says, ‘I can’t wait to play football at school this spring, but I’m not looking forward to tennis.’ So, only the author of Text 1 would agree that playing tennis is better than playing football.
Opinion: Running is part of what makes football enjoyable. The author of Text 1 says, ‘In football, you waste time running back and forth when you don’t have the ball.’ The author of Text 2 says that ‘it is great to run and pass the ball with your teammates’ in football. So, only the author of Text 2 would agree that running is part of what makes football enjoyable.
Opinion: It takes skill to play tennis. The author of Text 1 practises hitting the tennis ball and says, ‘The more I practise on my own, the more I win.’ The author of Text 2 says that in both football and tennis, ‘you have to work hard to learn how to control the ball correctly’. So, both authors would agree that it takes skill to play tennis.
let’s practice!
Read the texts.
| Text 1 |
| There’s nothing I hate more than going to the airport! My heart starts pounding just thinking about the long queues, unexpected delays and confusing directions. But I’m so happy once I’m in the air. I love getting a window seat on an aeroplane so I can enjoy the beautiful view. Plus, I can lean against the side of the plane if I want to sleep. Flying is the way to go! |
| Text 2 |
| When I travel, I like to get there fast, so I prefer to fly rather than drive. I can get across the country in just a few hours! Getting around at the airport is easy, and I like to relax at the gate with a good book. When I can pick my seat, I always pick an aisle seat. That way, I’m the first one in my row to get off the plane when we land. |