How to Compare Two Seasons With a Venn Diagram

Snow is often one distinguishing characteristic of winter; what are some others?

A Venn diagram is a type of graphic organizer that allows you to compare and contrast two things based on their shared and different characteristics. The simplest type of Venn diagram is composed of two intersecting circles that represent two distinct items. The intersection provides space for attributes that both items share. With their simple visual structure, Venn diagrams can help organize your thoughts about different seasons.

Draw two intersecting circles that fill up the entire page of a piece of paper. About one third of each circle should overlap with the other circle; this way you have plenty of space to write in the intersecting section.

Choose two seasons. You may choose opposite seasons, such as winter and summer, or consecutive seasons, such as winter and spring. Write the name of the first season at the top of one circle and the name of the second season at the top of the second circle.

Think of characteristics—weather, holidays, seasonal activities—that define the first season (Season A). If, for example, you chose winter, then some characteristics might be cold, white and Valentine’s Day. For each characteristic, ask yourself if it applies only to Season A. If so, write the characteristic in the main part of the Season A circle. If the characteristic applies to both Season A and the second season (Season B), write it in the overlapping section.

Record characteristics specific to Season B in the second circle. Again, if you think of a characteristic that is common to both seasons, write it in the overlapping section.

Look at your finished Venn diagram. In the circle on the left you can see everything that is particular to Season A. In the right circle you see what makes Season B unique. The characteristics listed in the middle area are common to both seasons. Use this visual to compare the seasons you chose.

  • Use different colored pens or pencils for each of the three writing areas (Season A, the overlapping section and Season B) to further visually distinguish the information.

Erica Krimmel has been writing science-themed articles since 2006. Her work has appeared in "FishRap Live!" and online at the "Natural History of UC Santa Cruz" website. Krimmel graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies.

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