Figurative Language

Similes & MetaphorsDeveloped by Amy Thornton

4th GradeDyer Elementary School

Similes

A simile is a comparison made between two things that are not alike in most ways, but are alike in one important way.

Similes

In a simile, the words “like” or “as” are used to signal that a comparison is being made between the two things.

Similes

Speakers and writers use similes to emphasize a certain characteristic of a thing.

Similes

The comparison made in a simile is often unusual.

The listener or reader can form a mental image of the comparison.

This increases understanding of what the speaker or writer is trying to communicate.

Similes

Last night Bob slept like a log.

Similes

Working on her project, Mary was as busy as a beaver.

Commonly used Similes with likefits like a gloveruns like a deerchatters like a monkeymoves like a snailsits there like a bump on a logeats like a pigswims like a fishstood out like a sore thumbfought like cats and dogseyes like a hawktakes it like a mansings like a bird

Commonly used Similes with asas clear as mudas strong as an oxas nutty as a fruitcakeas pretty as a pictureas good as goldas quiet as a mouseas clear as a bellas bright as dayas light as a featheras dry as a boneas slow as molassesas deep as the ocean

Similes

You will often encounter similes when listening to a speaker or reading something.

Similes Follow the steps listed below to build

your understanding of similes.– Listen or look for the words “like” or "as"

as clues to a possible simile.

– Identify the two things being compared.

– Think about the two things being compared.

– Form a mental image of the comparison.

– Identify what the speaker or writer is trying to communicate.

Similes

Recognizing similes will help you better understand what you hear or read.

Using similes when you speak or write will improve your communication.

Metaphors

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that denotes a certain object or idea is applied to another word or phrase to imply some similarity between them.

Metaphors

The inside of the car was a refrigerator.

A refrigerator is very cold. In this example, “refrigerator” is a metaphor because it is being applied to “the inside of the car” to imply that the inside of the car was very cold.

Metaphors

The teenage boy’s stomach was a bottomless pit.

A bottomless pit can never be filled. In this example, “bottomless pit” is a metaphor because it is being applied to “the teenage boy’s stomach” to imply that his appetite could never be satisfied (that is, his stomach could never be filled).

Metaphors Speakers and writers use metaphors for

several reasons: Metaphors can help readers or listeners to better

understand something about the object or idea to which the metaphor is being applied.

Metaphors can make speaking and writing more lively and interesting.

Metaphors can communicate a great deal of meaning with just a word or a phrase.

Metaphors, because they imply rather than directly state relationships, can get listeners and readers to think about what they are hearing or reading.

Metaphors

The teacher got to the bottom of the problem. (This implies that the

teacher got to the source of the problem.)

Metaphors

My dad was boiling mad. (This implies that my dad was very, very angry.)

Metaphors

The homework was a breeze. (This implies that the homework was very easy to

do.)

Metaphors

They showered the birthday girl with gifts. (This implies that they gave the girl many gifts.)

Metaphors

Her dog, Jake, was the sunshine of her life. (This implies that Jake was the brightest or best part of her life.)

A Strategy for using Metaphors Identify the object or idea that is the subject of what you are

writing or saying. For example, suppose you are trying to describe a sunset.

Identify what it is you want to communicate about that object or idea. You want to bring out how beautiful the sunset is.

Identify another object or idea that strongly implies what you want to communicate. You decide that the idea of “painted” would be a good way to communicate the beauty of the sunset.

Construct a sentence in which you link the idea of painted with sunset. For example, you could write or say, “The

sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors.”

Metaphors

Using metaphors when you write and speak will allow you to communicate more effectively and in a more interesting way.

Similes & Metaphors

Let’s watch a BrainPop about these kinds of figurative language!

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