‘© 1990 by The Center for Applied Research in Education Focus *SIMILARITIES/ DIFFERENCES PARAGRAPHS* Purpose: To practice using the information gained from a questionnaire to write sev- eral well-organized paragraphs using appropriate topic sentences. Instructions: Read the answers to the questions you asked the people in your row. You are looking for similarities and differences among the students who filled out your ques- tionnaires. Then proceed to write three paragraphs as shown below. 1. Write a paragraph with the following topic sentence: The students in this row have many similar traits. IN THIS PARAGRAPH YOU WILL SHOW HOW THE STUDENTS ARE SIMILAR, 2. Write a paragraph with the following topic sentence: Although students seem to be very similar, individual traits do exist. IN THIS PARAGRAPH YOU WILL SHOW HOW INDIVIDUALS ARE DIFFER- ENT FROM EACH OTHER. 8. Write a paragraph with the following topic sentence: ‘Students in the same row in our classroom share similar traits, but also differ in certain ways. IN THIS PARAGRAPH YOU WILL SUM UP THE LIKENESSES AND DIFFER- ENCES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONNAIRES.Focus *GETTING TO KNOW YOU* Name_________________ Date Purpose: To construct a questionnaire to find out about similarities and differences of classmates; to answer a questionnaire; to increase self-image. Instructions: Make up questionnaires to find similarities and differences among your classmates. You will be writing three paragraphs based on this information, using the worksheet, “SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES PARAGRAPHS*. 1. Use one sheet of paper for each student in your row, excluding yourself. (You need at least four other people, so if your row is short, add someone to total at least four.) 2. List six questions on each sheet with blank lines after each question for the respondent’s answers. Use questions that will help you find out interesting and un- usual things about each student. Of the six questions, three should be identical for each person. The other questions should be different. 3. Write your name on the bottom of each sheet so the questionnaires will be returned to the right students. 4. Complete ALL your questionnaires before you give them to the people in your row. 5, Truthfully fill out all questionnaires given to you. © 1990 by The Center for Applied Research in Education