1. As Clear as Mud: Similes and Metaphors
English Language Arts
Eighth Grade

2. Content and Standard Acquisition of Vocabulary Standard:
Students acquire vocabulary through exposure to language-rich situations, such as reading books and other texts and conversing with adults and peers. They use context clues, as well as direct explanations provided by others, to gain new words. They learn to apply word analysis skills to build and extend their own vocabulary. As students progress through the grades, they become more proficient in applying their knowledge of words (origins, parts, relationships, meanings) to acquire specialized vocabulary that aids comprehension.
Benchmark C:
Recognize the importance and function of figurative language.

3. Purpose of this Activity
The purpose of this activity is to learn the differences between metaphors and similes so that:
You can better understand what you’re reading
Create your own
Have better descriptors in your own stories

4. What is a simile?
Simile: A comparison of two things that are NOT alike, using like or as
Originated:
(600 years ago!!)
Latin: image, likeness,
comparison

5. What is a metaphor?
Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common. Does NOT use like or as.
Origin: 1525 – 1535, Greek: metaphorá- to transfer or carry across

6. What’s the difference?? Like or As Like or As Simile Metaphor
On this slide click on the actual screen instead of the control forward button to make first the cross out sign appear over like and as under metaphors and then again to make a picture fly in comparing similes to metaphors.
Example: Snug as a bug in a rug.
Example: “Life is a zoo in a jungle” – Peter DeVries

7. More Examples!! Metaphor Simile He is a rock. Slippery as an eel.
My love is your drug.
Love is a battlefield.
The world is a vampire.
Simile
Slippery as an eel.
“Life is like a box of chocolates”
Tough as nails.
Quiet as a mouse.

8. Question One
True or False: The metaphor was first originated around 1350, the Latin root means image, likeness, comparison.

9. Question Two
True or False: A metaphor is comparison of two things that are NOT alike using like or as.

10. What is the title of this presentation? A simile OR A metaphor
Question Three
What is the title of this presentation? A simile OR A metaphor

11. Summary
To help make your writing vivid and exciting use comparisons to help your reader understand what you are talking about.
Two types of comparisons are metaphors and similes.
A simile is a comparison using like or as, a metaphor is a comparison without using like or as.

12. Now it’s your turn!!!
With a partner develop ONE simile and ONE metaphor.
Do not use one we have already used.
Try to be original with them. If you get stuck use one that you’ve heard before.
Have fun!!

13. Extra Resources
Nordquist, R. (2011). What is a metaphor?. Retrieved from What is a metaphor?. Retrieved from
Casnig, J. D. (2009). Metaphor examples. Retrieved from
Similes list. (2009). Retrieved from

14. CORRECT!!!
The simile was first originated around 1350 and the Latin root means image, likeness,
comparison.

15. CORRECT!!!
A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are NOT alike by using like or as

16. CORRECT!!!
The statement as clear as mud is a simile.