Similes & Metaphors

Figurative language is used when a writer describes something using comparisons that go beyond literal meaning. The words mean more than what they say on the surface. The objects that are being compared are different their similarities. Figurative language is used in poetry and fiction, as well as in everyday speech.

Similes  A simile is a comparison between two unlike things that have something in common. A simile always uses the words like or as to make a comparison.

Similes  Examples It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog. - The Beatles My heart is like an open highway. - Jon Bon Jovi like two peas in a pod snow was like a blanket deer ran like the wind as quick as lightning as solid as a rock as sturdy as an oak

Metaphors A metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that have something in common. The comparison is made without the use of like or as.

Metaphors Examples A heart of stone He has the heart of a lion. Drowning in the sea Jumping for joy Rolling in dough It is raining cats and dogs.

Are there any questions

Simile or Metaphor Murphy was a mole as he dug his five-foot deep hole.

Metaphor

Simile or Metaphor Caveman smelled like a skunk after days of not bathing.

Simile

Simile or Metaphor Susan’s nails were deadly weapons after she painted them with rattlesnake venom.

Metaphor

Practice Partner up with your “thinking buddy” and complete numbers 1-10. Write “simile” if the example is a simile or write “metaphor” if the example is a metaphor. GO! Ready…

Simile or Metaphor 1. Sam's medicinal remedies made from onions were pure gold to the people of Green Lake.

Simile or Metaphor 2. Charles Walker thought he was a tycoon since his family was the richest in Green Lake.

Simile or Metaphor 3. Elya Yelnats' luck was poisoned meat that he passed down for generations to his family.

Simile or Metaphor 4. Madame Zeroni's rage was a curse after Elya broke his promise to carry her to the top of a mountain.

Simile or Metaphor 5. Stanley Yelnats I was as happy as a rat with a gold tooth when he reached the summit of top of the thumb shaped mountain.

Simile or Metaphor 6. Mr. Sir was meaner than Oscar the Grouch when he had to replace smoking with eating sunflower seeds.

Simile or Metaphor 7. Mr. Pendanski's mean streak was as sure as death and taxes.

Simile or Metaphor 8. Clyde Livingston's foot odor was as deadly as a revolver.

Simile or Metaphor 9. Derrick Dunne was as mean as a bull approaching a matador.

Simile or Metaphor 10. Mrs. Yelnats was as worried as a surrounded bank robber.