How to Compare Themes in Two Stories of the Same Genre

Khan Academy

This educational video from Khan Academy's "Story Kitchen" series teaches students how to compare and contrast two different stories within the same genre. Using the metaphor of cooking and tasting different "flavors" of stories, the narrator explains that genres like mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy are just different types of stories. The video focuses specifically on the Science Fiction genre to demonstrate the comparative process. The lesson presents two original short stories: one about a spaceship captain dealing with a rude alien, and another about a fearful alien learning to try new things (strawberries). Through these examples, the video walks viewers through a three-step process: analyzing how characters grow or change in response to a problem, identifying the individual themes of each story, and finally comparing those themes to see how different authors approach similar topics in unique ways. This resource is highly valuable for elementary literacy instruction as it breaks down complex analytical skills—determining theme and comparing texts—into concrete, manageable steps. The use of simple, engaging narratives allows students to focus on the analytical process without getting bogged down in complex texts. It provides a clear model for how students can move from surface-level reading to deeper interpretation and synthesis of multiple texts.