ELAGSE5RI9: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
There are many sources of information: books, newspapers, magazines, websites, documentaries, and news broadcasts. When learning about a topic, it is important to get information from many different sources. Different sources may contain different details, so studying more sources gives readers a deeper understanding of the topic.
ELAGSE5RL9: Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
Comparing and contrasting two different stories can help you better understand common topics and themes in stories from the same genre, or category of literature. The topic is the subject of a story. A common topic in many stories is the adventure into the unknown. The theme of a story is its central idea or message about life, such as look before you leap. You can also identify the pattern of events in a story. The pattern of events is what happens in the story. A common pattern of events is the quest. The main character goes on a journey to solve a problem or achieve a goal. Examining the pattern of events in a story can help you identify the story’s theme.
For Example: Read the two passages below. Then answer the questions that follow.
from The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Chapter 6: Mr. Toad
They reached the carriage drive of Toad Hall to find, as the Badger had [thought], a shiny new motor car, of great size, painted a bright red (Toad's favorite color), standing in front of the house. As they neared the door it was flung open, and Mr. Toad... in goggles, cap... and enormous overcoat, came... down the steps, [putting] on his... gloves.
"Hullo! Come on, you fellows!” he cried cheerfully on catching sight of them. "You're just in time to come with me for a jolly—to come for a jolly—for a—er—jolly——"
His hearty accents faltered and fell away as he noticed the stern, unbending look on the [faces] of his silent friends, and his invitation remained unfinished.
The Badger [marched] up the steps. "Take him inside,” he said sternly to his companions. Then, as Toad was hustled through the door, struggling and protesting, the Badger turned to the [driver] in charge of the new motor car.
"I'm afraid you won't be wanted today,” the Badger said. "Mr. Toad has changed his mind. He will not require the car. Please understand that this is final. You needn't wait.” Then he followed the others inside and shut the door.
"Now then!” the Badger said to the Toad, when the four of them stood together in Toad Hall. “First of all, take those ridiculous [clothes] off!"
“[Won’t]!” replied Toad, with great spirit. "What is the meaning of this gross outrage? I demand an instant explanation."
"Take them off him, then, you two,” ordered the Badger briefly.
They had to lay Toad out on the floor, kicking and calling all sorts of names, before they could get to work properly. Then the Rat sat on him, and the Mole got his motor clothes off him bit by bit, and they stood him up on his legs again. A good deal of his blustering spirit seemed to have evaporated with the removal of his fine [clothes]. Now that he was merely Toad, and no longer the Terror of the Highway, he giggled feebly and looked from one to the other... seeming quite to understand the situation.
"You knew it must come to this, sooner or later, Toad,” the Badger explained severely.
from The Ransom of Red Chief
by O. Henry
One evening, about sundown, the rangers halted for supper after a long ride. Their horses stood panting, with their saddles on. The men were frying bacon and boiling coffee.
Suddenly, out of the brush, Sebastiano Saldar and his gang dashed upon them with blazing six-shooters and high-voiced yells. It was a neat surprise. The rangers swore in annoyed tones, and got their [rifles] busy. But the attack was only an [exciting] dash. After [this show], the raiders [rode] away, yelling, down the river. The rangers mounted and pursued, but in less than two miles the [tired] ponies labored.... Manning gave the word to abandon the chase and return to the camp.
Then it was discovered that Jimmy Hayes was missing. Someone remembered having seen Jimmy Hayes and Muriel [saw] him run for his pony when the attack began, but no one had set eyes on him since. Morning came, but no Jimmy. They searched the country around, on the theory that he had been killed or wounded, but without success. Then they followed after Saldar's gang, but it seemed to have disappeared. Manning concluded that the wily Mexican had re-crossed the river after his theatrical farewell. And, indeed, no further [attacks] from him were reported.
This gave the rangers time to nurse a soreness they had. As has been said, the pride and honor of the company is the... bravery of its members. And now they believed that Jimmy Hayes had turned coward at the whiz of Mexican bullets.
Questions:
In what way are these two passages most alike?
What two characters are most similar in these two passages?
What themes are stated in these passages?
Watch and Learn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Alk5ixbpjo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc4Y7kl4nhM
For Example
Let's take a look at butterflies. What do the sources have in common as far as how they believe people are affected by seeing a butterfly? What does each source add to allow the reader to learn more about butterflies?
Let's take a look at butterflies. What do the sources have in common as far as how they believe people are affected by seeing a butterfly? What does each source add to allow the reader to learn more about butterflies?