Compare and Contrast: Settings
Basics on the topic Compare and Contrast: Settings
Why do we Compare and Contrast Settings?
Every story is anchored in its setting, which sets the tone, influences characters, and drives the plot forward. For instance, baking cookies in a kitchen can evoke a myriad of memories and emotions depending on the setting's time and context.
Elements that Constitute a Setting – Examples
From the physical environment to the time of day, understanding what makes up a setting is crucial. For instance, a present-day kitchen might have modern amenities, while one in the past might have a rustic charm.
Keep the steps below in mind when you want to compare and contrast settings:
1 Identifying Settings: Begin by clearly defining the settings you want to compare. For instance, one could be a modern kitchen, and the other a kitchen from the past.
2 Using Tools to Organize: A graphic organizer can help highlight similarities and differences between the settings. Central activities that remain consistent across both settings can be placed in the middle. Look at the example below:
- 3 Determining Attributes: What elements will you look at? Consider aspects such as the time, characters present, their emotional states, and the physical descriptions of each setting.
Compare and Contrast Settings – Conclusion
The art of comparing and contrasting settings goes beyond merely identifying differences. It's about understanding how these settings influence narratives, drive character development, and shape the overall storytelling experience.
Remember to follow the steps below to successfully compare and contrast settings.
| Step # | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify elements that make up the setting |
| 2 | Use tools to categorize the elements |
| 3 | Determine attributes of the setting elements and draw comparisons |
Now you are ready to practice comparing and contrasting settings in stories with ease. Feel free to watch our videos explaining how to compare and contrast settings and do not forget to complete compare and contrast settings worksheets!
Compare and Contrast Settings – Frequently Asked Questions
Transcript Compare and Contrast: Settings
Compare and Contrast: Settings "Ari could you hand me the (...) what's wrong!?" "Nothing it's just, (...) my Grandma and I used to make cookies together..." "I would always try and remember all the ingredients when we made them... and she would always say,[Ari imitating Grandma's voice] 'you're a smart cookie!'." Ari is remembering a time when they made cookies in a different setting. Setting is WHERE and WHEN the story takes place. The setting of a story can change the MOOD or TONE, which can affect the emotions or opinions of the reader. Stories often have more than one setting. Let's compare and contrast each setting using THIS comparison chart. HERE we label the first setting, Ari's kitchen. HERE we label the second setting, Grandma's kitchen. Next, label the middle section BOTH, since we will use it to record what each setting has in common. Now let's look at the settings again and think: how are they alike? (...) Both settings involve Ari making cookies in a kitchen... so we record this under BOTH. Now think: how are they different? (...) The first setting in Ari's kitchen takes place in the present, so record that here. The second setting, Grandma's kitchen, takes place in the past, which we record here. Also, Grandma appears in her kitchen, but not in Ari's, so we note that here. Let's also include, Zayd is in Ari's kitchen, but not Grandma's, (...) HERE. What do you notice about the mood of each setting and why? (...) The mood in Ari's kitchen is a little sad because they are remembering their Grandma. You may also notice that the illustration is a little dark and gloomy, and Ari's facial expression is sad... so we record sad, dark, and gloomy under Ari's kitchen. The mood in Grandma's kitchen is happy, because Ari is having fun baking cookies with her. so we record bright and happy under Grandma's kitchen. Are there any other details in the settings that are different? (...) Ari's kitchen does not have an oven, but Grandma's does... so we record 'no oven' under Ari's kitchen... and 'oven' under Grandma's kitchen. Wait, (...) if Ari's kitchen doesn't have an oven how will they bake the cookies? Before we find out, let's summarize. Remember,(...) a setting is where and when a story takes place. The setting can change the mood or tone of a story. Stories often have more than one setting and... we can compare and contrast different settings using a comparison chart. First, label the settings on each side, and label the middle BOTH. Next look at the settings again and think: 'how are they alike?'... and record it under BOTH. Last, look at the settings again and think: 'how are they different?'... and record it under each setting. "Alright, the cookie dough is finished, but (...) how are we going to bake them?" "Don't you worry, I got it covered!" "Zayd, WAIT!" "Oh no, Ari I'm so sorry!" "Perfect! They're nice and burnt just the way Grandma always made them! She would be so proud!"
Compare and Contrast: Settings exercise
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Which mood matches each setting?
HintsSunrises make people feel calm.
Bike riding is quite the adventure!
SolutionThe mood scary matches the setting with monsters in the bedroom.
The mood fun matches the setting with the mouse holding a glow stick, french fries, and wearing sunglasses.
The mood adventurous matches the setting with a bicyclist ready to ride on the mountain trails.
The mood calm matches the setting with the hills and the sun coming up.
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How can we compare settings?
HintsOnly one of the options will help answer these questions.
A fishbone diagram will not help to compare and contrast the setting.
SolutionA Venn Diagram is the graphic organizer used to compare and contrast.
The overlapping area in the middle is where you compare the similarities.
The two outside sections are where you contrast the differences.
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Determine the attributes used to compare and contrast setting.
HintsThere are 2 correct answers.
It's important to pay attention to the time.
Solution<u>Attributes to look for when comparing and contrasting settings are:</u> <ul> <li>When</li> <li>Where<l/i>
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Compare and contrast two settings.
HintsWhen thinking about setting, always ask yourself where and when the story takes place.
What do you wear when the sun is out?
SolutionWhen you look at the two pictures, ask yourself: What is the same? What is different?
<u>Correct Answer:</u> You see in this top picture, I was at the beach, but in the bottom picture, I was at the hotel. I had to wear sunglasses because the sun was so bright!
But at the hotel, it was nighttime. I didn't need my glasses.In both places, I was with my friend Ari. We had a great trip!
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What do we ask when comparing settings?
HintsThe overlapping area looks at what both settings have in common.
We can look for things that are not alike.
SolutionTo compare, look at at what is similar. To contrast, look at what is different.
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Describe similarities and differences between two settings.
HintsOne attribute to think about when comparing two settings is where they take place.
One attribute to think about when contrasting two settings is when they take place.
Solution<u>When we compare and contrast, we look for the following:</u> <ul> <li>Where the setting takes place</li> <li>When the setting takes place</li> <li>What is similar</li> <li>What is different</li>
These two images are similar because they both take place in the forest. They both contain animals. These two images are different. The top image takes place during the day but the bottom one takes place at night.
