Lesson 6-4W: Write Paragraphs that Compare and Contrast Paired Texts

There is so much to learn in this approximately 90-minute writing lesson! But it's called "self-paced" for a reason. Students are encouraged to complete one or two lesson parts at a time in digestible, "doable" chunks.

Writing Foundations: Short Essay, Lesson 6-4W focuses on writing informational paragraphs that compare and contrast a fiction text with nonfiction texts. Your child will follow along in the downloadable student packet to learn how to

• annotate fiction text;

• annotate nonfiction text;

• understand the writing prompt;

• brainstorm and select evidence; 

• plan "stacked" paragraphs that cite four separate pieces of evidence;

• use appropriate transitions between ideas; and

• use the writing process.

Tutor Heather provides instruction in the form of the following components in this six-part lesson:

• mini-lessons;

• demonstrations of annotating both fiction and nonfiction texts, reading the writing prompt, brainstorming, planning, drafting, and using transitions;

• examples of annotations, brainstorming, planning, and drafting;

• handy charts for annotating, brainstorming, planning, and useful transitions;

• an original fiction passage;

• three original science-based nonfiction passages;

• guided practice; and

• independent practice.

This no-prep lesson is print, click, and go! You will receive the pdf document of the downloadable guided notes packet after purchase to print. The website address and links to the video are located on the cover page (parent page) and page 1 of the student packet.

This lesson is appropriate for the following students:

• Grades 4 and 5 Students (ages 9 through 11) who are able to read and annotate fiction and nonfiction and write paragraphs that analyze fiction and nonfiction texts. (See Writing Lessons 6-2W and 6-3W.)

• Grade 6 Students (ages 11 and 12) who haven’t yet learned how to write paragraphs that compare and contrast information in paired texts, or have learned to write this type of written response to text, but want extra practice.

• Grades 7 and 8 Students (ages 12-14) who need a paragraph writing review or want practice for enrichment or to prepare for an ELA exam.

Copyright 2026 Heather Wood. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to the purchaser to print and copy downloadable packet and view the accompanying video for children in their own household only. This work is not to be copied for sale, or otherwise shared or distributed to others outside the purchaser's household. Please direct others to Heathers-Tutor-Zone.com to purchase their own copy. Small group homeschool instructors and school teachers should contact Heather Wood at hpagain@gmail.com to arrange purchase for small groups.