1. 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.

2. 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”

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. 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”.

7. 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.

8. How to make a metaphor Sun, Diamond
: “The sun was a diamond in the sky”.

9. 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”.

10. Partner Work-Create a metaphor for each pair of words.
Car, refrigerator
Tommy, pig
Cindy, mule
*Remember, think how the two words can be alike.

11. 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.