Metaphor vs.

Simile
Simile
 A simile is a comparison between
two things using like and as. Similes
are often used in poems to
emphasize a point.

 Instead of saying “He ran quickly”.

 He ran as fast as a cheetah.
Common Similes
 "I feel as old as dirt"

 "You are as slow as molasses"

 "She was as white as a ghost".

 “He ran like the wind”

Metaphor
 Makes a comparison between seemingly
unlike things without “like” or “as”.

 Example: “This room is an Oven!”

 Do I mean that this classroom is an oven?
 Turn to your partner and tell him/her what I
really mean.
Common Metaphors
 The crowd began to simmer down.
-Heat is activity, and activity is heat.

 A recipe for disaster .

-A disaster is the finished product of bad ingredients and
processes.

 She had a raw talent for music.

-Talent is only potential, and must be developed (cooked).
How to make a metaphor
 Sun, Diamond

 : “The sun was a diamond in the

sky”.
Make a Metaphor
 Mind, Sponge
 What does a sponge do?
 Soak up liquid.
 Can your mind soak up anything?
 “Her mind was a sponge absorbing
all the details”.
Independent Work
 Your ticket out the door

 Write one sentence for each of your three

metaphors explaining what the metaphors mean.

Example:
“The sun was a diamond in the sky”.

The sun was bright, shiny and stood out against the
blue of the sky.
Partner Work-Create a metaphor for
each pair of words.
1) Car, refrigerator

2) Tommy, pig

3) Cindy, mule

*Remember, think how the two words can be

alike.
Metaphor or Simile?
Can Mrs. McCown figure it out?

Tim was as tall as Mount Everest

Simile: uses as to compare Tim and Mount Everest.

Jordan walked like an elephant on

parade.

Metaphor: compares Jordan and elephant without

like or as.
Your Turn!
Simile (S) or Metaphor (M) ?
Use whiteboards
Carrying my book bag was like dragging
around a bag of boulders.
Simile: uses “like” to compare book bag and boulders.

She danced like she was trying to stomp on

rabid squirrels.
Simile: uses “like to compare dance and squirrels.

Jordan’s reply was burning hot and crispy.

Metaphor: compares reply with hot and crispy without using
“like” or “as”.
Your Turn!
Simile (S) or Metaphor (M) ?
Use whiteboards
Her hair was golden silk streaming in the afternoon
breeze.
Metaphor: compares hair with silk without using “like” or
“as”.

The algebra question x+16=30 is a sharp

object jiggling around in my brain
Metaphor: compares question with object without using “like”
or “as”.

Jan’s broken nose swelled up like a big red

balloon.
Simile: uses “like to compare dance and squirrels.