Figures of Speech Comparisons Paarl Girls’ High School Grade 8 English Home Language

What are Figures of Speech? We use Figures of Speech to create images or mind-pictures in order to express ourselves visually, imaginatively, and powerfully. When we speak of: The hands of a clock The foot of a mountain Having someone’s ear (attention) We are using hand, foot, and ear in a non-literal (figurative) way.

Todays lesson will focus On “comparisons”

What are Comparisons? Comparisons are used to compare two objects. These objects can be either animate or inanimate. These comparisons can be done in direct or indirect ways. Who can give the class an example of: A type of a comparison? An example of this type of comparison?

Personification Simile Comparisons (3 types): Metaphor

Simile: Question: What is a simile? The word ‘simile’ was derived from Latin – meaning ‘SIMILAR’. A simile occurs when two objects that are dissimilar in all but ONE respect, are COMPARED. “like” and “as” are always used in direct comparisons to draw attention to the direct comparison. For example: He is as wealthy as Bill Gates. The human brain is like a telephone exchange. The winner was as proud as a peacock.

Simile: Examples Explained: He is as wealthy as Bill Gates. The word ‘as’ is used He is not Bill Gates. The chances, however, are that he is not as wealthy as Bill Gates, BUT… he is probably so wealthy that his level of financial fortune can be compared to that of Bill Gates’. The human brain is like a telephone exchange. The word ‘like” is used The human brain is not a telephone exchange, BUT… both the human brain and a telephone exchange can hold so much information that they may be compared to each other. The winner was as proud as a peacock. The winner did not have rainbow-coloured tail feathers, BUT… he did strut around, he was obviously very fond of himself.

Simile Let’s discuss a few More examples As a class.

Metaphor Question: What is a metaphor? The word ‘metaphor’ was derived from Greek – meaning ‘to carry over’ or ‘transfer’. It is similar to a simile. The metaphor carries over points of comparison between two VERY DIFFERENT things. Unlike a simile, NO word of comparison (like / as) is used. There is a direct transfer of the attributes of one thing to another. The comparison is implied rather than stated directly. For example: He is a Bill Gates. The key to a problem. That boy is making a pig of himself.

Metaphor Examples explained: He is a Bill Gates. The key to a problem. Bill Gates is incredibly rich. If I say that you are a Bill Gates, you are probably incredibly rich too. The key to a problem. The problem is being compared to a locked door. He is making a pig of himself. Pigs eat a lot. ‘He’ is obviously eating a lot too. Therefore, the eating habits of the two ‘animals’ are being compared.

Metaphor Let’s discuss a few More examples As a class.

Personification Question: Personification gives HUMAN QUALITIES to: What is Personification? Personification gives HUMAN QUALITIES to: Inanimate Objects OR Abstract Ideas Personification and metaphors are both very similar. Because they are both indirect comparisons. EXCEPT…

Personification For Example: She did not realise that opportunity was knocking at her door. She was being offered a fantastic opportunity. An opportunity is an abstract idea – it cannot knock on a door. Time flew and before we knew it, it was time for me to go home. Time passes by quickly when you are having fun. Time cannot fly – that is an abstract idea. My computer throws a fit every time I try to use it. My computer does not want to work. Only humans can throw (have) fits. Therefore, a human quality has been given to an inanimate object.

Personification Let’s discuss a few More examples As a class. OPPORTUNITY

Class Activity State whether the following are examples of simile, metaphor or personification? She swims like a fish. Her home was a prison. The sun glared down at me from the sky. He walks like a duck. The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky. In pairs, come up with a few more examples of your own.

ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DAY!!!