Teaching Ideas and Units - Teaching Strategies

Venn Diagrams

Reading and Viewing, Writing
Bands A, B,C,D

What is it?

A graphic organiser using two ( or more) interlocking circles to sort information, comparing similarities and differences.

What is its purpose?

• To assist students to make comparisons (for example between texts on similar themes, or texts of different genres).
• An excellent pre-writing or speaking activity when students need to be able to compare and contrast information .

How do I do it?

• Select two texts or a topic in which there are contrasting and similar pieces of information ( e.g. different eyewitness accounts of an event, two different newspapers' stories on the same incident, telephone calls and letters)
• Prepare a sheet with two interlocking circles.
• Students( singly, in pairs or in groups) enter data onto appropriate sectors of the Venn diagram.
• Compare and discuss selection in pairs/ small group /whole class , justifying selections.

How can I adapt it?

• Three circles for three texts or three ideas gives greater number of matches of information.
• Use to brainstorm characteristics of main characters in preparation for writing a fictional narrative .
• Use to record main ideas within a single text or character in literature.
• Focus on ideas explored in texts or structure of texts.
• Use hoops to form the Venn diagram and pieces of card or paper to list the similarities and differences when students are working together.

How can it be used to evaluate students' language learning?

Observing students at work gives insight into the language strategies they use, including their ability to:

• use planning tools and strategies for text creation.
• identify main ideas in texts
• compare ideas in texts.

Where can I find out more?

In her interview for this site, Linda Heerey describes how she used Venn diagrams to help students explore the differences between book and film versions of a text.