Techniques of Literature

Similes and Metaphors

Comparative Forms• Figurative language

makes a story or poem come alive. It uses comparisons, sounds, sensory images and more to convey a special message, idea or feeling.

• Poetry will be used to study the comparative forms: Similes and Metaphors.

Similes• A Simile helps the reader to see events,

people, objects or experiences in new ways.

• This technique compares two unlike objects using the words like or as:

Bobby was as excited as a puppy. Bobby was like an excited puppy. The breeze is as gentle as a butterfly. The breeze is like a gentle butterfly.

Metaphors• A Metaphor also helps the reader to see

things in new ways.• This technique compares two unlikely

objects by suggesting that one thing is the other:

The sun is a bright spotlight in the sky.Your love is the blood in my veins.The tree was a canopy of coolness.The pink rose of your lips…

Practice ExerciseMetaphor, Simile, or neither?

1. The temperature is as hot as a stove.2. You are the sunshine of my life.3. Harry likes to eat at the diner in town.4. Jessica runs like the wind.5. You are the clown of the gathering!6. They planned a great picnic last week.7. Your love is like a red, red rose.8. She is the shade under which I rest.

Check your answers!S=Simile, M=Metaphor, N- Neither

1. The temperature is as hot as a stove. S2. You are the sunshine of my life. M3. Harry likes to eat at the diner in town. N

4. Jessica runs like the wind. S5. You are the clown of the gathering! M6. They planned a great picnic last week. N

7. Your love is like a red, red rose. S8. She is the shade under which I relax. M

Traditional Poetry• The Haiku is a type of Japanese poetry about

nature. It is 3 lines long. The 1st line has 5 syllables, the 2nd line has 7 syllables and the 3rd line has 5 syllables. You will integrate a simile or a metaphor in your original Haiku.

• ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____.• Coqui! Coqui! The Coqui is cute. He lives in Puerto Rico; Sings like a whistle. (Simile)

Writing your own Haiku• Think about something you can say about

nature, including animals. Use a simile or a metaphor. In other words, use at least one of the two techniques studied in this lesson. Count the syllables as you write.

• Example: • Kittens!

Can see a kitten,

Such beauty like a flower,

Such fun like a game.

(2 similes)

Examples

Life is a garden (metaphor)

In much need of attention:Sunlight, water, love.

The cricket can sing;It bothers so much at night!Like stones in a shoe! (simile)

Rubric: Japanese HaikuCriteria 4 Awesome 3 Admirable 2 Acceptable 1 Amateur

On time

Correct spelling

Used a simile or metaphorFollowed Haiku formatCommented on at least 2 peersTOTAL