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Learners: Please be sure to write the definitions and examples for each type of figurative language in your notes! :)
Similes
Definition: Compare two different things using “like” or “as”.
Examples:
“Their clothes were colorful like a rainbow!”
This is more fun than saying “Their clothes were colorful”. It also gives more information to the reader, since it makes them think about rainbows and lets them know that their outfits have all the colors in a rainbow, rather than just a few colors.
“He is as tall as a giraffe!”
The man is not actually as tall as a giraffe (that would be kind of scary since giraffes can be around 20 feet tall!)
Instead, this tells the reader that the man is very tall in a fun way. For example, just saying, “The man is tall” doesn’t really tell us much. Someone who is three feet tall would think a four-foot man is tall, while someone who is six feet tall would think a four-foot man is short.
However, everyone would think giraffes are tall since many people are under 20 feet tall. By saying, “He is as tall as a giraffe” it lets us know that the man must be really, really tall!
Metaphors
Definition: Compare two different things WITHOUT using “like” or “as”. This is NOT ALWAYS the case, but they often use direct comparison words, such as “is,” “are,” “were,” and “was”. I suggest just making sure you don't see "like" or "as" in the sentences to tell if something is a metaphor or not.
Examples:
“Your brain is a sponge!”
Try to think about what this metaphor might be saying before reading on!
Sponges absorb water, and brains can absorb knowledge. So this metaphor is a cool way of saying, “Your brain absorbs knowledge similar to how a sponge absorbs water”!
“You are my sunshine!”
Try to think about what this metaphor might be saying before reading on!
Sunshine usually makes people feel safe, happy, and warm, so telling someone that they are your sunshine is a more unique way to say, “You make me feel safe, happy, and warm.”
“Joe and Sam were night owls!”
Try to think about what this metaphor might be saying before reading on!
Night owls are active at night, so this is a fun way of saying that Joe and Sam probably don’t go to sleep early. They most likely stay up late, similar to night owls!
“The wind was a beast!”
Try to think about what this metaphor might be saying before reading on!
Beasts are often associated with big, strong, and scary things, so saying that the wind was a beast is a more creative way to describe an intense, frightening wind!
Check Out This Song About Similes and Metaphors!
Simile, Metaphor, or Neither?
Try to figure out what each sentence is! Bonus: Try to think about what each sentence is trying to say! Answers will be at the very bottom, but please don’t look until after you’ve tried first!
She is as cold as ice!
He is swimming like a fish!
He is swimming!
He is a fish!
They were wild animals!
Their shirt is cute!
Self-Reflection
What makes a simile? Can you think of your own examples?
What makes a metaphor? Can you think of your own examples?
What do you think you’re a rockstar at?
What still confuses you?
Please check in with your partner(s) and/or teacher before moving on!
Good work :)
Answers
(Keep in mind there are multiple possible meanings! These are just some of the first ones that came to mind.)
Simile - She is a cold, maybe mean person.
Simile - He might not be using his arms much to swim.
Neither - Uses “is” like in metaphors, but two things are NOT being compared, so it’s neither.
Metaphor - He might be a really good swimmer.
Metaphor - They were probably acting really crazy.
Neither - Uses “is” like in metaphors, but two things are NOT being compared, so it’s neither.
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