Similes and Metaphors:A Brief Review and Applied

Practice• ESSENTIAL QUESTIONESSENTIAL QUESTION: How can we use figurative

language like similes and metaphor to enhance our writing?

• ANSWERANSWER: Using figurative language can help enhance our

writing and take it from ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY.

Simile• Simile • Is a comparison

between two unlike things.

• A simile compares by using the words “LIKE” or “AS”.

“O my love is like a red, red rose”

Simile in Action: Using “LIKE”• When you compare a

nounnoun to a nounnoun, the simile is usually introduced by like:

–Example: •After such long

exposure to the direct sun, the leaves of the houseplant looked like pieces of overcooked bacon.

Simile in Action: Using “AS”• When a verb or phrase is

compared to another verb or phrase, the simile usually uses “as”.

–Example: •Here is your pencil

and paper. I want you to compete as the greatest hero would in the race of his life.

WE NEED TO HAVE CLEAR CONNECTIONS AND COMPARISONS!

• “The sprinter raced around the track like a cheetah.”

• This simile has a clear connection OR comparison.

• What is the

connection/comparison?

Unclear Connection• “Life is like a bed of roses.”• Life and roses are different in EVERY

way. The writer must explain the connection for the reader.

Clear Connection• “Life is like a bed of roses because it

looks pretty, but can be very painful at times".• According to this simile how are life and

roses similar?

Metaphor Defined

• Metaphor• Shows a

relationship between things seemingly opposite to each other. • Helps us recognize

similarities between two things that are opposites

Identifying Metaphor• “I wonder when motor mouth is going to

run out of gas.”

• Identify what is being compared .

Examples• “You are my sunshine.”

Examples• “You are my knight in shining armor.”

Katy Perry“Firework”

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONESSENTIAL QUESTION: How can we use figurative language to enhance our writing? 

ANSWERANSWER: Using figurative language can help enhance our writing and take it from ordinary to

EXTRAORDINARY.

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bagDrifting through the windWanting to start again”

““FIREWORK” FIREWORK” LYRICSLYRICSSongwriters: Dean, Esther; Eriksen, Mikkel; Hermansen, Tor Erik; Perry, Katy; Wilhelm, Sandy Julien

SIMILE – Katy Perry is comparing how a plastic bag drifts through the air

with no purpose or direction to how she

feels in her life – constantly drifting with

no direction.

“Do you ever feel, feel so paper thinLike a house of cardsOne blow from caving in”

SIMILE – Katy Perry is comparing her

life to a “house of cards,” describing how easily a thin piece of paper (a card) can fall over just as she herself could be “blown” over or “cave in”.

“Do you ever feel already buried deepSix feet under screamBut no one seems to hear a thing”

METAPHOR – Katy Perry is comparing

how ‘down and out’ she feels. She feels

like she is so down, or sad, she is “six feet

under” meaning, she is almost buried

underground. If one is buried underground, no one can hear their voice. Katy Perry is

trying to describe how she feels she has no voice, or no one is

listening to her.

“Do you know that there's still a chance for you‘Cause there's a spark in youYou just gotta ignite the lightAnd let it shineJust own the nightLike the Fourth of July”

IMAGERYIMAGERY – when the author paints a picture

with his/her words. What picture does Katy

Perry paint here with her words? {HINT: What is the “spark” in all of us?}

ANSWERANSWER – Katy Perry is painting the image of a spark, or a firework, a “light” in all of us that

shines. The “spark” could be our talents, our gifts,

our kind words to others, a variety of things.

IMAGERYIMAGERY – when the author paints a picture

with his/her words. What picture does Katy

Perry paint here with her words? {HINT: What is the “spark” in all of us?}

ANSWERANSWER – Katy Perry is painting the image of a spark, or a firework, a “light” in all of us that

shines. The “spark” could be our talents, our gifts,

our kind words to others, a variety of things.

SIMILE – Katy Perry is comparing the excitement and surprise of the Fourth of July to how confident we should be as individuals. Just as the Fourth of July is spectacular,

so should we feel in our daily lives.

(Chorus)“Cause baby you're a fireworkCome on show 'em what you’re worthMake 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"As you shoot across the skyBaby you're a fireworkCome on let your colors burstMake 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down”

METAPHOR – Katy Perry is comparing us (the reader) to a firework. Just as a firework explodes

and gives forth light, so do we.

Our “colors” make us unique, just like

a peacock’s feathers.

“You don't have to feel like a waste of spaceYou're original, cannot be replacedIf you only knew what the future holdsAfter a hurricane comes a rainbow”

SIMILE – Katy Perry is comparing how one

might feel out of place like a “waste of space”. Katy Perry is trying to

emphasize that we each have our special place

and no one can replace us. We are all valuable.

“Maybe you're the reason why all the doors are closedSo you can open one that leads you to the perfect roadLike a lightning bolt, your heart will blowAnd when it's time, you'll knowYou just gotta ignite the lightAnd let it shineJust own the nightLike the Fourth of July”

SIMILE – Katy Perry is comparing how our “heart will blow” when we let ourselves shine. We will be happy and feel free, this is why our

“heart will blow”. She compares this to a “lightning bolt”. A lightning bolt is shocking, exciting and strong, just as Katy Perry is encouraging

us to be in our daily lives.

(Chorus)“ 'Cause baby you're a

fireworkCome on, show 'em what you're worthMake 'em go, oh

As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go, ohYou're gonna leave 'em falling down”

“Boom, boom, boomEven brighter than the moon, moon, moonIt's always been inside of you, you, youAnd now it's time to let it through”

METAPHOR – There is a double meaning here. Katy Perry is comparing how loud and bright a firework can be (us) , to how bright the moon is in the sky.

“ 'Cause baby you're a fireworkCome on, show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go, ohAs you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a fireworkCome on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go, ohYou're gonna leave 'em falling down

Boom, boom, boomEven brighter than the moon, moon,

moonBoom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon”