Figurative Language

1
Figurative Language

• Similes Metaphors
• Developed by Amy Thornton
• 4th Grade
• Dyer Elementary School

2
Similes

• A simile is a comparison made between two things
  that are not alike in most ways, but are alike in
  one important way.

3
Similes

• In a simile, the words like or as are used to
  signal that a comparison is being made between
  the two things.

4
Similes

• Speakers and writers use similes to emphasize a
  certain characteristic of a thing.

5
Similes

• The comparison made in a simile is often unusual.
  
• The listener or reader can form a mental image of
  the comparison.
• This increases understanding of what the speaker
  or writer is trying to communicate.

6
Similes

• Last night Bob slept like a log.

7
Similes

• Working on her project, Mary was as busy as a
  beaver.

8
Commonly used Similes with like
fits like a gloveruns like a deerchatters like
a monkeymoves like a snailsits there like a
bump on a logeats like a pigswims like a
fishstood out like a sore thumbfought like cats
and dogseyes like a hawktakes it like a
mansings like a bird
9
Commonly used Similes with as
as clear as mudas strong as an oxas nutty as a
fruitcakeas pretty as a pictureas good as
goldas quiet as a mouseas clear as a bellas
bright as dayas light as a featheras dry as a
boneas slow as molassesas deep as the ocean
10
Similes

• You will often encounter similes when listening
  to a speaker or reading something.

11
Similes

• Follow the steps listed below to build your
  understanding of similes.
• Listen or look for the words like or "as" as
  clues to a possible simile.
• Identify the two things being compared.
• Think about the two things being compared.
• Form a mental image of the comparison.
• Identify what the speaker or writer is trying to
  communicate.

12
Similes

• Recognizing similes will help you better
  understand what you hear or read.
• Using similes when you speak or write will
  improve your communication.

13
Metaphors

• A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word
  or phrase that denotes a certain object or idea
  is applied to another word or phrase to imply
  some similarity between them.

14
Metaphors

• The inside of the car was a refrigerator.
• A refrigerator is very cold. In this example,
  refrigerator is a metaphor because it is being
  applied to the inside of the car to imply that
  the inside of the car was very cold.

15
Metaphors

• The teenage boys stomach was a bottomless pit.
• A bottomless pit can never be filled. In this
  example, bottomless pit is a metaphor because
  it is being applied to the teenage boys
  stomach to imply that his appetite could never
  be satisfied (that is, his stomach could never be
  filled).

16
Metaphors

• Speakers and writers use metaphors for several
  reasons
• Metaphors can help readers or listeners to better
  understand something about the object or idea to
  which the metaphor is being applied.
• Metaphors can make speaking and writing more
  lively and interesting.
• Metaphors can communicate a great deal of meaning
  with just a word or a phrase.
• Metaphors, because they imply rather than
  directly state relationships, can get listeners
  and readers to think about what they are hearing
  or reading.

17
Metaphors

• The teacher got to the bottom of the problem.
  (This implies that the teacher got to the source
  of the problem.)

18
Metaphors

• My dad was boiling mad. (This implies that my
  dad was very, very angry.)

19
Metaphors

• The homework was a breeze. (This implies that the
  homework was very easy to do.)

20
Metaphors

• They showered the birthday girl with gifts. (This
  implies that they gave the girl many gifts.)

21
Metaphors

• Her dog, Jake, was the sunshine of her life.
  (This implies that Jake was the brightest or best
  part of her life.)

22
A Strategy for using Metaphors

• Identify the object or idea that is the subject
  of what you are writing or saying. For example,
  suppose you are trying to describe a sunset.
• Identify what it is you want to communicate about
  that object or idea. You want to bring out how
  beautiful the sunset is.
• Identify another object or idea that strongly
  implies what you want to communicate. You decide
  that the idea of painted would be a good way to
  communicate the beauty of the sunset.
• Construct a sentence in which you link the idea
  of painted with sunset. For example, you could
  write or say, The sunset painted the sky with
  vibrant colors.

23
Metaphors

• Using metaphors when you write and speak will
  allow you to communicate more effectively and in
  a more interesting way.

24
Similes Metaphors

• Lets watch a BrainPop about these kinds of
  figurative language!
• Log in and search for Similes.