As Clear as Mud: Similes and Metaphors English Language Arts Eighth Grade

Content and Standard Acquisition of Vocabulary Standard: Students acquire vocabulary through exposure to language-rich situations, such as reading books and other texts and conversing with adults and peers. They use context clues, as well as direct explanations provided by others, to gain new words. They learn to apply word analysis skills to build and extend their own vocabulary. As students progress through the grades, they become more proficient in applying their knowledge of words (origins, parts, relationships, meanings) to acquire specialized vocabulary that aids comprehension. Benchmark C: Recognize the importance and function of figurative language.

Purpose of this Activity The purpose of this activity is to learn the differences between metaphors and similes so that: You can better understand what you’re reading Create your own Have better descriptors in your own stories

What is a simile? Simile: A comparison of two things that are NOT alike, using like or as Originated: 1350-1400 (600 years ago!!) Latin: image, likeness, comparison

What is a metaphor? Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common. Does NOT use like or as. Origin: 1525 – 1535, Greek: metaphorá- to transfer or carry across

What’s the difference?? Like or As Like or As Simile Metaphor On this slide click on the actual screen instead of the control forward button to make first the cross out sign appear over like and as under metaphors and then again to make a picture fly in comparing similes to metaphors. Example: Snug as a bug in a rug. Example: “Life is a zoo in a jungle” – Peter DeVries

More Examples!! Metaphor Simile He is a rock. Slippery as an eel. My love is your drug. Love is a battlefield. The world is a vampire. Simile Slippery as an eel. “Life is like a box of chocolates” Tough as nails. Quiet as a mouse.

Question One True or False: The metaphor was first originated around 1350, the Latin root means image, likeness, comparison.

Question Two True or False: A metaphor is comparison of two things that are NOT alike using like or as.

What is the title of this presentation? A simile OR A metaphor Question Three What is the title of this presentation? A simile OR A metaphor

Summary To help make your writing vivid and exciting use comparisons to help your reader understand what you are talking about. Two types of comparisons are metaphors and similes. A simile is a comparison using like or as, a metaphor is a comparison without using like or as.

Now it’s your turn!!! With a partner develop ONE simile and ONE metaphor. Do not use one we have already used. Try to be original with them. If you get stuck use one that you’ve heard before. Have fun!!

Extra Resources Nordquist, R. (2011). What is a metaphor?. Retrieved from What is a metaphor?. Retrieved from http://grammar.about.com/od/qaaboutrhetoric/f/faqmetaphor07.htm Casnig, J. D. (2009). Metaphor examples. Retrieved from http://knowgramming.com/metaphors/metaphor_chapters/examples.htm Similes list. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/figures-similes-list.htm

CORRECT!!! The simile was first originated around 1350 and the Latin root means image, likeness, comparison.

CORRECT!!! A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are NOT alike by using like or as

CORRECT!!! The statement as clear as mud is a simile.