Flip the Focus

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to strengthen compare-and-contrast writing and critical thinking skills through purposeful paragraph revision. Students read a paragraph that emphasizes similarities between the city and the countryside, then rewrite it to focus entirely on differences. By using contrast signal words such as however, while, and on the other hand, learners practice shifting emphasis, organizing ideas, and clearly expressing opposing viewpoints.

Skills Reinforced

• Compare & Contrast Writing (Grades 4-6) – Rewrite a paragraph to highlight differences rather than similarities.
• Using Contrast Signal Words – Apply transition words to clearly show opposing ideas.
• Paragraph Rewriting & Structure – Adjust organization and wording to change focus and meaning.
• Critical Thinking About Differences – Analyze content to identify and express contrasts accurately.

Instructional Support

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to support writing structure and comparison skills.
• Clear Focus Shift – Helps students see how emphasis changes meaning in writing.
• Textual Analysis Practice – Encourages careful reading before rewriting.
• Opinion Extension Included – Optional final sentence invites reflection and personal preference.
• Flexible Use – Ideal for writing workshops, literacy centers, independent practice, or homework.
• No-Prep Format – Print-and-go worksheet for classroom or homeschool use.

This printable worksheet helps students understand how language and structure shape meaning in informational writing. By transforming a similarity-focused paragraph into a contrast-focused one, learners build stronger writing control, clearer organization, and confidence expressing differences. Whether used in a classroom or homeschool environment, this resource supports thoughtful revision, compare-and-contrast skills, and effective written communication.

This worksheet is part of our Opposites and Contrasts Worksheets collection.