Similes and Metaphors

A Lesson for Aspiring Writers

Descriptive Language

• Helps readers to imagine scenery, characters and events.

• Uses the five senses:SightSoundTasteTouchSmell

It uses the 5 senses to make comparisons:

Something looks like something else.Something sounds like something else.Something tastes like something else.Something feels like something else.Something smells like something else.

Similes

• A simile is a comparison between two things with similar characteristics using the word “like” or “as.”

Examples: I ran like the wind.

The dog was as fat as a sausage.

The dog is likea sausage

because he is so fat (similar characteristic).

Which is a simile?

A) Cold lemonade is as refreshing as a dip in the pool.

B) We like to play computer games.

How do you know?

Metaphors

• A metaphor also compares two things, but it does so more directly, without using “like” or “as.”

Example: The sky was a painted canvas.

What could be a reason for comparing the sky to a painted canvas?

The sky was a painted canvas.

The sky colorfula

painted

canvas

Which is Which?

1) The thief was as slippery as an eel.2) Arnold was a mountain.3) Her eyes were polished stones.4) She is as pretty as a picture.5) The basketball player was a machine.6) The lightning was like a spider web.

One of the most important things to remember:

Similes and metaphors are imaginative likenesses; they are not supposed to be interpreted literally.

Ex: I zipped around the room like a hummingbird.I’m not actually a hummingbird, but I was moving very fast, like a hummingbird would move.

Ex: She is a firecracker.“She” isn’t actually a firecracker, but she is _________________.

My Favorite Villain: MaleficentIf I were to compare Maleficent to an animal, I would compare her to a panther because she is stealthy, majestic and menacing.

If I were to compare Maleficent to a food, I would compare her to a frappe chino because she is reserved and her smile is chilling.

If I were to compare Maleficent to a piece of clothing, I would compare her to a stiletto heel because she is dangerous and difficult to deal with.

Time for a Simile and a Metaphor

Simile: Maleficient’s smile was as chilling as a frappe chino.

Metaphor: Maleficient was a panther.

Maleficient was a panther in the center of the throne room. Every person was watching her warily, waiting to see what she would do. Raising her hands, she laughed at the crowd and said “None of you can compare to my power!” With that, she approached the startled king and queen, her smile as chilling as a frappe chino.