The Spot the Difference strategy consists of five steps:

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Students are encouraged to spot the difference between two versions of the same passage: the published text versus the draft text.

 

Students identify how the difference changes the tone and meaning of the text.

 

 

Students write their own versions of a given text passage, describe changes they made, and the impact those changes may have on readers. (Differentiation opportunity: advanced students may begin with this step.) 

 

Students compare and contrast different drafts of the same short passage of authors' published work. Since authors are experienced writers and revisers, comparing these different drafts of a passage can be complex. Therefore, students need to practice Steps 1-3 before moving on to Step 4.

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Students compare and contrast different texts, e.g. a passage from Out of My Mind with a passage from Wonder.