Internet Academy ALP Reading
Assessment Lessons Helpful Tools Rubrics Index Home
Federal Way Public Schools  
Analyzing
 Lesson 7		 Comparing and Contrasting Literary Elements Between Texts
 Objectives/Vocab/Tips > Examples: 1 | 2 | 3 > Practice: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 > Self Check

Example 1:

In these examples and practice items, you will be working with two literary passages. Some of them you may be familiar with from previous lessons. Read them again like a detective, with the idea in mind that you'll discover some connection between the passages. You'll take the evidence from the texts and analyze the similarities and/or differences through the questions. Reading with that frame of mind will set your focus to notice connecting details.

Instruction:

Read the poem, "The Giveaway," and Cosby's short essay, "Academic Masquerade."

You'll find both linked to the book icons on the right. Then keep the selections open while we go through the question and explanations.

Question:

Which main idea is presented in both the poem and the essay?


The Giveaway  


Fatherhood: Academic Masquerade

 

Remember to:

  • Read the question before reading the passage.
  • Look for the clues or hints in the poem and in the essay to help you identify a similar idea in both.

Think:

  • What are the key words in this question? (main idea, in both) You might find an idea, but it has to be a main idea to be the correct answer.
  • Which choices can you eliminate right away, and which are possibly correct answers?
    Remember the "YES, NO, MAYBE" tool.
  • A good way to approach this question is to choose one passage, the poem for example. Take each possible answer and find that idea in the poem. If it isn't there, you can eliminate the answer as a possibility. If the idea is in the poem, then go to the essay and look for it there. If it is in the essay too, you have your answer! If it isn't there, you can also eliminate the answer as a possibility. Why? Because the idea has to be in BOTH the essay and the poem.

Multiple Choice Answers:

  1. Watch out for teenage daughters. They'll steal your sweaters.
    Think to yourself:
    ---Essay - TRUE. In the essay, the "teenage" daughter is caught with her father's sweaters in her locker at school.
    ---Poem - not exactly. Look for this idea in the poem. There is no specific mention of "teenage" daughters, although the poem is about a daughter, Bridgett. She does take anything and everything from her family, but there is no specific mention of "sweaters."
    ---Probably eliminate this answer, but let's see what the other answers say.
  2. It's OK to borrow family belongings as long as you share them with those who have needs.
    Think to yourself:
    ---Essay - NO. In the essay, the daughter "loots" her father's wardrobe and just uses the sweaters for herself. She doesn't share anything with anyone.
    ---Poem - TRUE. Taking others' things works out for Bridgett. She becomes a Saint because she gives everything to people who need help. The word "borrow" is ironic in this poem, because she doesn't ever give it back.
    ---Eliminate this answer. The idea is not present in both essay and poem.
  3. Daughters may present a trial to their parents who love them in spite of the problems they cause.
    Think to yourself:
    ---Essay - TRUE. At the beginning and at the end, the father reminds us he loves his daughter, "can't wait to kiss that greasepainted cheek." She certainly caused some problems for her parents by taking the sweaters, at the least annoyed them. This idea is big enough to be a main idea.
    ---Poem - TRUE. The poem says Bridgett was a "problem child," and drove her family mad. But it also says they loved her anyway, "one must love her nonetheless."
    ---Looks like this is the answer. The idea is present in both essay and poem and it's big enough to be a main idea. Let's read the last answer just to be sure.
  4. It's better to ask for something than keep a secret because parents always find out.
    Think to yourself:
     ---Essay - POSSIBLE. Parents find out about what happened to the missing sweaters, and also about the makeup. It might have been better to ask for the sweaters and ask to buy makeup instead of magazines. It isn't a main idea though. Her father's attitude is more, "That's kids for you!" and forgiveness. Answer C is better.
    ---Poem - POSSIBLE. Maybe it would have been better if Bridgett asked for everything she took and gave away, but the owners probably wouldn't have said yes and she probably would have taken the items anyway to give away. Again, this answer doesn't really hit the main idea of the poem and Answer C is much better.
    ---    This choice has to be NO.
C is the only idea found in both poem and essay.

Example 2 >>

 
Assessments Vocabulary

©Internet Academy