1. Similes You probably know more similes than you think…. Can you complete the following? As white as… As black as… As soft as… As deaf as… As cold as… However these similes are clichés…what does this mean?

2. Spend 5 minutes improving these similes and making them original and new! As white as… As black as… As soft as… As deaf as… As cold as…

3. The similes you just created used the word ‘as’ to compare one thing to another. The poem below also uses similes, can you spot the difference? She’s got a mop of hair, just like a grizzly bear, She’s got a pair of eyes, just like two custard pies, She’s got a runny nose, just like a fireman’s hose, She’s got a pair of hips, just like two battle ships, She’s got a pair of feet, just like two plates of meat.

4. Imagine you are trying to flatter a boy or girl. You can be as over the top as you want! How would you describe their….. Eyes like… Lips like… Skin like… Hair like… Cheeks like… Breath like… Voice like… Walk like…

5. Now we are going to read Sonnet 130 by Shakespeare. Here Shakespeare uses similes and metaphors to describe his love. However he doesn’t want to give a false impression of what she was really like.

6. Sonnet 130 My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red. If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound. I grant I never saw a goddess go: My mistress when she walks treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare. Glossary Dun – brownish-grey colour Wires – delicate golden threads used in jewellery Damasked – patterned with different colours Belied – disguised, misrepresented, shown to be untrue

7. We are now going to look at Shakespeare’s poem and the comparisons he made. Discuss the following and be prepared to share your ideas. On your sheets, underline the different body parts he refers to. How does Shakespeare avoid clichéd comparisons? Can you identify these? So, what is Shakespeare saying about his love and her appearance?

8. Copy and complete this grid in your books. Body PartComparison EyesNothing like the sun Lips HairCoarse black wire Cheeks Breath VoiceNot as pleasing as music Walk

9. Now it’s your turn! Come up with the least flattering description you can for your imagined love. Use the list of body parts from earlier in the lesson to write your poem. For example: Eyes like rancid sores Lips like swollen slugs Skin like weathered stone Hair like crossed wires We will share some of your responses at the end of the lesson.

10. The least flattering description My lover’s eyes are like two hollow vessels staring blankly out His hair is like a ball of grease His breath reeks like rotting garlic….

11. My loved one’s eyes are… His/her hair is like His/her breath is like… His/her skin is like… His/her cheeks are like… His/her voice is like…. His/her lips are like… His/her walk is like…