Figurative Language Part 1 - Simile and Metaphor

Simile and Metaphor

​Simile and Metaphor

• ​Are considered to be "figurative language"

• ​Both are used to compare to unlike things.

• ​Compare means to show how two unlike things are alike.

• ​Make writing and reading more interesting.

​Simile

​Compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".

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​A hug from grandma is like being wrapped in a warm blanket.

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​Simile

​Compares two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".

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​Walking into work every day is like walking into a prison.

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Multiple Choice

A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using the words "like" or "as".

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Metaphor

• ​A metaphor is also a comparison of two unlike things.

• ​Directly calls one thing another thing.

• ​Does not use the words "like" or "as" to make the comparison.

​Metaphor

​Directly calls one thing as another thing.

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​Her tears were a river flowing down her cheeks.

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​Metaphor

​Directly calls one thing as another thing.

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​The backpack was a boulder strapped to her shoulders.

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Multiple Choice

A metaphor compares two unlike things by directly calling one thing another thing.

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Purpose

​Figurative language (similes and metaphors) are used to make writing more interesting, more visual, and (sometimes) easier to understand.

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​Instead of:

​It was a hot day.

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​A writer would say:

​The sun was a torch in the sky that made my skin burn.

​Purpose

​Figurative language (similes and metaphors) are used to make writing more interesting, more visual, and (sometimes) easier to understand.

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​Instead of:

​This is too hard!

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​A writer would say:

​This is like running uphill in heavy boots!

​Simile and Metaphor Can Help a Reader Understand

​Gandalf stood tall like the figure of an ancient king carved in rough stone.

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​Or not...

​If we can hit that bullseye the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate!

Multiple Choice

Which word best completes the simile?

The cars were buried in a long row like a strange ________ blocking our way.

• fence

• puppy

• tree

• ocean

Multiple Choice

Which word best completes the metaphor?

The girl was a happy _______ after painting with her hands all morning.

• girl

• rainbow

• trampoline

• angel

Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses a simile or a metaphor?

• The dog ran up the hill.

• The dog ran as fast a lightning bolt.

• The dog beat the world record for running up the hill.

Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses a simile or a metaphor?

• Jordan was a boulder blocking our path.

• Jordan stood in our way and refused to move.

• Jordan would not get out of the way.

Multiple Choice

Which of these sentences uses a simile or a metaphor?

• The wind blew hard against the doorway.

• The wind made me nervous.

• The wind howled like a lonely wolf as it blew through the doorway.

​Simile and Metaphor Conclusion

​A simile compares two different things using the words "like" or "as".

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"The old car was moving like a beaten-down old man trying to walk up a hill.​"

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​A metaphor compares two different things by directly calling one thing another thing.

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​"The moving car was a beaten-down old man trying to walk up a hill."