Figurative Language: word or phrase that represents or describes something else

Metaphors are a type of Figurative Language.

Metaphors are a combination of both: 1. representing something – like a symbol

2. finding what is similar between two things –describing the relationship between the two things.   

Metaphors make stories & poems more interesting and are often used in other forms of writing.

 Symbols - something that stands for or represents another thing. For example:      The star in the texas flag is a symbol of the lone star state.       

The skull and cross bones on a sign symbolizes what?  

Practice: metaphors are symbolic

What do the star & stripes in the U.S. Flag represent or symbolize?  'Light' in literature is a symbol or metaphor for? Good, wisdom, purity, virtue

'A path or road' in literature is a symbol or metaphor for?  How you live your life. Your path in life.

The sun? 

Good, wisdom, enlightenment or self-knowledge, virtue

A closet?  Hiding something, fear 

  The mexican flag -with the eagle eating the snake? What does a snake symbolize or what is it a metaphor for? How is it a symbol or metaphor for peace?

Metaphors

  A metaphor is a word or a phrase used to describe something as if it were something else."A wave of terror washed over him."The terror isn’t actually a wave, but a wave is a good way of describing the feeling of terror.  

"A wave of terror washed over him."

Get out a dollar bill.Metaphors are in many places. They are used in the Great Seal of the United States. -Look at the pyramid on the left the eye at top is a symbol for?

 ‘God’s eye or the all knowing eye.” They put that there b/c we are the first nation in the world that was established based in reason and not just on the basis of warfare.

-13 ranges of The Great Seal of the United States are symbol for?

-the inscription at the bottom is : roman numerals - 1776 represents?

-Novus Ordo Seclorum - a new world order is a metaphor for?

-Annuit Coeptis- He or the eye has smiled on our accomplishments is a metaphor for?

How do Metaphors work?

By Analogies. Analogies are metaphors. analogy = making comparisons and finding similarities between two dissimilar things.  For example:     Compare a zebra to a newspaper and find what is similar between them:

   They both are black and white.  

  Congratulations! You just made an analogy or metaphor of a zebra and a newspaper.   

Metaphors made easy: find what is similar between two things.

How are two things that seem unrelated be alike?!  For instance, How is a dishwasher like a tree?-the tree and dishwasher both need water and they clean things.  In what ways is a hot dog like a shoe?  -The hot dog and the shoe are both made from animals, and go with another object (a shoe with a foot and a hot dog with a bun).

Congratulations you made two more analogies or metaphors.

What are the two things being compared? & what is similar between them?McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like

a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.

Indentify what is being compared and what are the metaphors:

Dreams  - by Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren or empty fieldFrozen with snow.  

Practice

Dr. Lincoln Brower has studied the monarchs in their wintering sanctuaries for 20 years. Whenever he describes the monarchs' winter habitat, he uses this analogy or metaphor: "The forest serves as an umbrella and a blanket for the monarchs."  Work individually or in pairs to think about the analogies or metaphors he uses and explain in writing what these reveal about how the forest helps monarchs survive.

(**Be aware, however, that when analogies or metaphors are stretched too far, they can lead to misconceptions!)

 With a partner :

Write a few sentences for each question:

1.What are metaphors and how are they used in literature?

2. What makes a metaphor effective? or

Create at least two metaphors. Have fun with it!

BibliographyAll photos from Creative commons-mexican flag – kalavinka on Flicker-peeing in toliet – villevenalainen on Flicker

Funny metaphors from: http://www.mikekerr.com/humour-resources/free-articles/2222/