Similes & Metaphors

Figurative language is used when a writer describes something using comparisons that go beyond literal meaning. The words mean more than what they say on the surface. This gives the writing a fresh look at a common subject. Figurative language is not meant to be interpreted in a word by word sense. The objects that are being compared are different in enough ways so that their similarities, when pointed out, are interesting, unique and/or surprising. Figurative language is used in poetry and fiction, as well as in everyday speech.

Similes  A simile is a comparison between two unlike things that have something in common. A simile always uses the words like or as to make a comparison.

Similes  Examples It's been a hard day's night, and I've been working like a dog. - The Beatles My heart is like an open highway. - Jon Bon Jovi like two peas in a pod like Christmas in summer snow was like a blanket my love is like a red, red rose deer ran like the wind

Similes More Examples as hungry as a bear as nutty as a fruitcake as quick as lightning as slippery as an eel as solid as a rock as stubborn as a mule as sturdy as an oak

Metaphors A metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that have something in common. The comparison is made without the use of like or as.

Metaphors Examples Patty was a raging tiger when she lost her lunch money. During the night the forest was a dark, frightening battlefield. A heart of stone (from Rebecca) He has the heart of a lion. You are the sun in my sky. You are the light in my life. She is my East and my West, my compass.

Metaphors More Examples Life is a mere dream, a fleeting shadow on a cloudy day. Love is a lemon - either bitter of sweet. (from Scott) Drowning in the sea Jumping for joy Rolling in dough Apple of my eye It is raining cats and dogs. Love is a fragile flower opening to the warmth of spring.

Brain Pop http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/similesandmetaphors/

Simile or Metaphor Stanley Yelnats was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs as he rode the bus to Camp Green Lake.

Simile

Simile or Metaphor Zero was a mole as he dug his five-foot deep hole.

Metaphor

Simile or Metaphor X-Ray was misnamed for he was really as blind as a bat.

Simile

Simile or Metaphor Squid was a wounded animal on the inside even though he taunted Stanley about receiving letters from, and writing to, his mother.

Metaphor

Simile or Metaphor Magnet’s fingers were sticky jam as he stole Mr. Sir's sunflower seeds.

Metaphor

Simile or Metaphor Caveman smelled like a skunk after days of not bathing.

Simile

Simile or Metaphor Zigzag had a heart of stone when he would not apologize to Stanley after hitting him in the head with a shovel.

Metaphor

Simile or Metaphor The Warden's nails were deadly weapons after she painted them with rattlesnake venom.

Metaphor

Simile or Metaphor Kate Barlow was as gentle as a lamb, while Kissin' Kate was as tough as nails.

Simile

Practice Number your paper from 1 to 10. For each of the following determine if the sentence contains a simile or metaphor. Write your answer on your paper.

Simile or Metaphor 1. Sam's medicinal remedies made from onions were pure gold to the people of Green Lake.

Simile or Metaphor 2. Charles Walker thought he was a tycoon since his family was the richest in Green Lake.

Simile or Metaphor 3. Elya Yelnats' luck was poisoned meat that he passed down for generations to his family.

Simile or Metaphor 4. Madame Zeroni's rage was a curse after Elya broke his promise to carry her to the top of a mountain.

Simile or Metaphor 5. Stanley Yelnats I was as happy as a rat with a gold tooth when he reached the summit of top of the thumb shaped mountain.

Simile or Metaphor 6. Mr. Sir was meaner than Oscar the Grouch when he had to replace smoking with eating sunflower seeds.

Simile or Metaphor 7. Mr. Pendanski's mean streak was as sure as death and taxes.

Simile or Metaphor 8. Clyde Livingston's foot odor was as deadly as a revolver.

Simile or Metaphor 9. Derrick Dunne was as mean as a bull approaching a matador.

Simile or Metaphor 10. Mrs. Yelnats was as worried as a surrounded bank robber.

More Practice Go to page 36 in your student packet for Holes. Complete the written practice. Write simile or metaphor to show which poetic device is being used in each item. Then return to this PowerPoint.

Listen to the song "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg Listen to the song "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg. Can you find any similes or metaphors in this song? Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean Higher than any bird ever flew Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens I've been in love with you. Stronger than any mountain cathedral Truer than any tree ever grew Deeper than any forest primeval I am in love with you. I'll bring fire in the winters You'll send showers in the springs We'll fly through the falls and summers With love on our wings. Through the years as the fire starts to mellow Burning lines in the book of our lives Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow I’ll be in love with you.

"Longer" by Dan Fogelberg. Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean Higher than any bird ever flew Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens I've been in love with you. Stronger than any mountain cathedral Truer than any tree ever grew Deeper than any forest primeval I am in love with you. I'll bring fire in the winters You'll send showers in the springs We'll fly through the falls and summers With love on our wings. Through the years as the fire starts to mellow Burning lines in the book of our lives Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow (understood that this is aging) I’ll be in love with you.

On the next slide you will see that U2 sang a similar song in the late 80’s. Does the song use metaphors or similes?

Listen to “Hawkmoon 269 ” by U2 Listen to “Hawkmoon 269 ” by U2. Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. Like a desert needs rain Like a town needs a name I need your love Like a drifter needs a room Hawkmoon I need your love [Repeat] Like a rhythm unbroken Like drums in the night Like sweet soul music Like sunlight I need your love Like coming home And you don't know where you've been Like black coffee Like nicotine I need your love (I need your love) [Repeat] When the night has no end And the day yet to begin As the room spins around I need your love (Repeat) Like a Phoenix rising needs a holy tree Like the sweet revenge of a bitter enemy I need your love Like the hot needs the sun Like honey on her tongue Like the muzzle of a gun Like oxygen Like the hot needs the sun Like honey on her tongue Like the muzzle of a gun Like oxygen I need your love (I need your love) (Repeat) When the night has no end And the day yet to begin As the room spins around I need your love I need your love... [Repeat 9 times] Like thunder needs rain Like a preacher needs pain Like tongues of flame Like a sheet stained I need your love [Repeat] Like a needle in a vein Like someone to blame Like a thought unchained Like a runaway train I need your love I need your love... [Repeat 7 times] Like faith needs a doubt Like a freeway out I need your love Like powder needs a spark Like lies need the dark I need your love In the heart of the heat of the love In the heart of the heat of the love...

Listen to “The River” by Garth Brooks Listen to “The River” by Garth Brooks. Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows. And a dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes. Trying to learn from what's behind you and never knowing what's in store makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.          And I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.         Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.         I'll never reach my destination if I never try,         So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry. Too many times we stand aside and let the water slip away. To what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shore and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tides.         -Chorus- There's bound to be rough waters, and I know I'll take some falls. With the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.         -Chorus-

“The River” by Garth Brooks. similes in yellow - metaphors in green You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows. And a dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes. Trying to learn from what's behind you and never knowing what's in store makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.          And I will sail my vessel (understood – live my dream) 'til the river runs dry.         Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.         I'll never reach my destination if I never try,         So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry. Too many times we stand aside and let the water slip away. To what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today. So don't you sit upon the shore (understood – be a bystander) and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids (understood - taking chances) and dare to dance the tides (understood – live life).         -Chorus- There's bound to be rough waters, and I know I'll take some falls. With the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.         -Chorus-

Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.” Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. Daniel Boone was a man. Yes. a big man. With an eye like an eagle and as tall as a mountain was he. Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man. He was brave; he was fearless and as tough as a mighty oak tree. From the coonskin cap on the top of ol Dan to the heel of his rawhide shoe The rippin'est roarin'est fightin'est man the frontier ever knew. Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man. And he fought for America to make all Americans free. What a Boone. What a wonder. What a dream comer truer was he.

Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.” Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man. With an eye like an eagle and as tall as a mountain was he. Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man. He was brave; he was fearless and as tough as a mighty oak tree. From the coonskin cap on the top of ol Dan to the heel of his rawhide shoe The rippin'est roarin'est fightin'est man the frontier ever knew. Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man. And he fought for America to make all Americans free. What a Boone. What a wonder. What a dream comer truer was he.

Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green.” Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green. It's not that easy bein' green;  Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.  When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-  or something much more colorful like that. It's not easy bein' green.  It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.  And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water- or stars in the sky.  But green's the color of Spring. And green can be cool and friendly-like.  And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree.   When green is all there is to be  It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder,  I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!  And I think it's what I want to be.

Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green.” similes yellow - metaphors green It's not that easy bein' green;  Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.  When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-  or something much more colorful like that.  It's not easy bein' green.  It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.  And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water- or stars in the sky.  But green's the color of Spring. And green can be cool and friendly-like.  And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree.   When green is all there is to be  It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder,  I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!  And I think it's what I want to be.

Listen to “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger Listen to “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger. Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. Stood there boldly Sweatin’ in the sun Felt like a million Felt like number one The height of summer Id never felt that strong Like a rock I was eighteen Didn’t have a care Working for peanuts Not a dime to spare But I was lean and Solid everywhere Like a rock My hands were steady My eyes were clear and bright My walk had purpose My steps were quick and light And I held firmly To what I felt was right Like a rock Like a rock, I was strong as I could be Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me Like a rock, I was something to see Like a rock And I stood arrow straight Unencumbered by the weight Of all these hustlers and their schemes I stood proud, I stood tall High above it all I still believed in my dreams Twenty years now Where’d they go? Twenty years I don’t know Sit and I wonder sometimes Where they’ve gone And sometimes late at night When I’m bathed in the firelight The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white And I recall Recall Like a rock. standin’ arrow straight Like a rock, chargin’ from the gate Like a rock, carryin’ the weight Like a rock Like a rock, the sun upon my skin Like a rock, hard against the wind Like a rock, I see myself again Like a rock

“Like a Rock” by Bob Seger. similes in yellow - metaphors in green Stood there boldly Sweatin’ in the sun Felt like a million Felt like number one The height of summer I’d never felt that strong Like a rock I was eighteen Didn’t have a care Working for peanuts Not a dime to spare But I was lean and Solid everywhere Like a rock My hands were steady My eyes were clear and bright My walk had purpose My steps were quick and light And I held firmly To what I felt was right Like a rock Like a rock, I was strong as I could be Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me Like a rock, I was something to see Like a rock And I stood arrow straight Unencumbered by the weight Of all these hustlers and their schemes I stood proud, I stood tall High above it all I still believed in my dreams Twenty years now Where’d they go? Twenty years I don’t know Sit and I wonder sometimes Where they’ve gone And sometimes late at night When I’m bathed in the firelight The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white And I recall Recall Like a rock. standin’ arrow straight Like a rock, chargin’ from the gate Like a rock, carryin’ the weight Like a rock Like a rock, the sun upon my skin Like a rock, hard against the wind Like a rock, I see myself again Like a rock

Listen to “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by The Temptations Listen to “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by The Temptations. Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. You got a smile so bright You know you could have been a candle I'm holding you so tight You know you could have been a handle The way you swept me off my feet You know you could have been a broom The way you smell so sweet You know you could have been some perfume Well you could have been anything that you want to And I can tell The way you do the things you do As pretty as you are You know you could have been a flower Your good looks was a minute You know that you could have been an hour The way you stole my heart You know you could have been a cuckoo And baby you're so smart You know you could have been a schoolbook Well you could have been anything that you want to And I can tell The way you do the things you do You make my life so rich You know you should have been some money Baby you're so sweet You know you should have been some honey Well you could have been anything that you want to And I can tell The way you do the things you do You're really sweep me off my feet You make my life complete You make my life so bright You make me feel alright

“The Way You Do the Things You Do” by The Temptations similes yellow -  metaphors green You got a smile so bright You know you could have been a candle I'm holding you so tight You know you could have been a handle The way you swept me off my feet You know you could have been a broom The way you smell so sweet You know you could have been some perfume Well, you could have been anything that you want to And I can tell The way you do the things you do As pretty as you are You know you could have been a flower Your good looks was a minute You know that you could have been an hour The way you stole my heart You know you could have been a cuckoo And baby you're so smart You know you could have been a schoolbook Well you could have been anything that you want to And I can tell The way you do the things you do You make my life so rich You know you should have been some money Baby you're so sweet You know you should have been some honey Well you could have been anything that you want to And I can tell The way you do the things you do You're really sweep me off my feet You make my life complete You make my life so bright You make me feel alright

Listen to “I’m Already There” by Lonestar Listen to “I’m Already There” by Lonestar. Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. He called her on the road From a lonely cold hotel room Just to hear her say I love you one more time But when he heard the sound Of the kids laughing in the background He had to wipe away a tear from his eye A little voice came on the phone Said Daddy when you coming home He said the first thing that came to his mind [chorus] I’m already there Take a look around I’m the sunshine in your hair I’m the shadow on the ground I’m the whisper in the wind I’m your imaginary friend And I know I’m in your prayers Oh I’m already there She got back on the phone Said I really miss you darling Don’t worry about the kids they’ll be alright Wish I was in your arms Lying right there beside you But I know that Ill be in your dreams tonight And I’ll gently kiss your lips Touch you with my fingertips So turn out the light and close your eyes I’m already there Don’t make a sound I’m the beat in your heart I’m the moonlight shining down I’m the whisper in the wind And Ill be there until the end Can you feel the love that we share Oh I’m already there We may be a thousand miles apart But I’ll be with you wherever you are [chorus] And I’ll be there until the end Can you feel the love that we share Oh I’m already there Oh I’m already There

“I’m Already There” by Lonestar similes yellow - metaphors in green He called her on the road From a lonely cold hotel room Just to hear her say I love you one more time But when he heard the sound Of the kids laughing in the background He had to wipe away a tear from his eye A little voice came on the phone Said Daddy when you coming home He said the first thing that came to his mind [chorus] I’m already there Take a look around I’m the sunshine in your hair I’m the shadow on the ground I’m the whisper in the wind I’m your imaginary friend And I know I’m in your prayers Oh I’m already there She got back on the phone Said I really miss you darling Don’t worry about the kids they’ll be alright Wish I was in your arms Lying right there beside you But I know that Ill be in your dreams tonight And I’ll gently kiss your lips Touch you with my fingertips So turn out the light and close your eyes I’m already there Don’t make a sound I’m the beat in your heart I’m the moonlight shining down I’m the whisper in the wind And I’ll be there until the end Can you feel the love that we share Oh I’m already there We may be a thousand miles apart But I’ll be with you wherever you are [chorus] And I’ll be there until the end Can you feel the love that we share Oh I’m already there Oh I’m already There

Listen to “The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes Listen to “The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes. Highlight similes in yellow and  metaphors in green. Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed. Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed. Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need. I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed. It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dyin' that never learns to live. When the night has been too lonely and the road has been to long, and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong, just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.

“The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes similes yellow - metaphors green Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed. Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed. Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need. I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed. It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give, and the soul afraid of dyin' that never learns to live. When the night has been too lonely and the road has been to long (understood – life has been hard), and you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong, just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose (understood – rose is love).