FIGURATIVE LANGUAGESIMILES AND METAPHORS

SIMILES AND METAPHORS

Both similes and metaphors are examples of figurative language. They both compare 2 unlike things

or objects.BUT

Similes use “like” or “as” in the comparison.

Let’s start with similes.

What two things am I comparing in this sentence? (Don’t write anything yet.)1. Playing chess with Armando is like

trying to outsmart a computer. Armando is compared to a computer.

Now, what is the sentence comparing?

1.Temper is compared to a volcano.

1.His temper was as explosive as a volcano.

So, what do those similes mean?

1. Playing chess with Armando is like trying to outsmart a computer.

That means that Armando is so smart, he is hard to beat.

2. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.

That means he gets so angry that he may explode at any minute.

Now you try!Number your paper from 1-4. Label these sentences SIMILES.

First, write what 2 things are being compared, then write what the simile means.1. The online dictionary is like a treasure

chest of ideas.2. When I unpacked my suitcase, my dress

was as wrinkled as a gorilla’s face.3. Completing that project was as easy as

collecting feathers during a hurricane.4. My dream was full of thoughts twisted

like a ball of string.

The answers are:

1. Comparing a dictionary to a treasure chest. That means finding new words is like winning

something valuable.

2. Comparing a dress to a gorilla’s face. That means the dress is very wrinkled.

3. Comparing a project to collecting feathers during a hurricane.

That means the project was impossible to complete.

4. Comparing a dream to a twisted ball of string. That means the dream is very confusing.

Now let’s try METAPHORS!Number from 5-8 and label these METAPHORS.

Follow the same directions: write the 2 things compared and the meaning.5. Felix was a brick wall, returning every

tennis ball back over the net.6. My cat is a bolt of lightning, and that rat

didn’t have a chance.7. Dad hates working during the holidays

because his store is a circus.8. The teacher is a dead battery because she

never listens to us.

The answers are:

1. Comparing Felix to a brick wall. That means he is so strong and tall, the balls just

bounced back across the net.

2. Comparing a cat to lightning. That means the cat is very quick and possibly deadly.

3. Comparing his store to a circus. That means a lot is going on in his store, it is loud

and busy.

4. Comparing the teacher to a dead battery. She must be deaf because her ears aren’t working.

Now number from 9- 18. Write an M if the sentence has a METAPHOR. Write an S if the sentence has a SIMILE. Write and X if it doesn’t have either one.

9. The machine was a hungry monster devouring the hills.

10.With her new gown, Lauren looked like a fairy princess.

11.The river is a twisting silver ribbon.

12.The sunset was beautiful with colors of orange and red.

13.The catsup oozed out of the hamburger like lava flowing down a volcano.

14.The cars were ants crawling along the freeway.

15.The icicles were daggers hanging from the roof.

16.Mike thought the camp was packed with fun.

17.The test was like a hurdle nine feet high.

18.His voice was as creaky as a rusty gate.

Here are the answers.When you have graded these, put your paper in the drawer.

9. M10.S11.M12.X13.S14.M15.M16.X17.S18.S