FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

1. SIMILES AND METAPHORS FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

3. SIMILES AND METAPHORS Both similes and metaphors are examples of figurative language. They both compare 2 unlike things or objects. BUT Similes use “like” or “as” in the comparison.

4. Let’s start with similes. What two things am I comparing in this sentence? (Don’t write anything yet.) Playing chess with Armando is like trying to outsmart a computer. Armando is compared to a computer.

5. Now, what is the sentence comparing? Temper is compared to a volcano. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.

6. So, what do those similes mean? Playing chess with Armando is like trying to outsmart a computer. That means that Armando is so smart, he is hard to beat. His temper was as explosive as a volcano. That means he gets so angry that he may explode at any minute.

7. Now you try!Number your paper from 1-4. Label these sentences SIMILES. First, write what 2 things are being compared, then write what the simile means. The online dictionary is like a treasure chest of ideas. When I unpacked my suitcase, my dress was as wrinkled as a gorilla’s face. Completing that project was as easy as collecting feathers during a hurricane. My dream was full of thoughts twisted like a ball of string.

8. The answers are: Comparing a dictionary to a treasure chest. That means finding new words is like winning something valuable. 2. Comparing a dress to a gorilla’s face. That means the dress is very wrinkled. 3. Comparing a project to collecting feathers during a hurricane. That means the project was impossible to complete. 4. Comparing a dream to a twisted ball of string. That means the dream is very confusing.

9. Now let’s try METAPHORS!Number from 5-8 and label these METAPHORS. Follow the same directions: write the 2 things compared and the meaning. Felix was a brick wall, returning every tennis ball back over the net. My cat is a bolt of lightning, and that rat didn’t have a chance. Dad hates working during the holidays because his store is a circus. The teacher is a dead battery because she never listens to us.

10. The answers are: Comparing Felix to a brick wall. That means he is so strong and tall, the balls just bounced back across the net. 2. Comparing a cat to lightning. That means the cat is very quick and possibly deadly. Comparing his store to a circus. That means a lot is going on in his store, it is loud and busy. 4. Comparing the teacher to a dead battery. She must be deaf because her ears aren’t working.

12. Now number from 9- 18. Write an M if the sentence has a METAPHOR. Write an S if the sentence has a SIMILE. Write and X if it doesn’t have either one. The machine was a hungry monster devouring the hills. With her new gown, Lauren looked like a fairy princess. The river is a twisting silver ribbon. The sunset was beautiful with colors of orange and red. The catsup oozed out of the hamburger like lava flowing down a volcano.

13. The cars were ants crawling along the freeway. The icicles were daggers hanging from the roof. Mike thought the camp was packed with fun. The test was like a hurdle nine feet high. His voice was as creaky as a rusty gate.

14. Here are the answers.When you have graded these, put your paper in the drawer. M S M X S M M X S S