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Using Metaphor and Simile

Metaphor – describes by comparing something to something else WITHOUT using ‘like’ or

‘as’.
- The sun was an orange ball in the sky.

- The bird is a colourful rainbow.

- He is an accident waiting to happen.

Simile – describes by comparing something to something else BY USING ‘like’ or ‘as’.

- The sun was like an orange ball in the sky.

- The bird was as colourful as a rainbow.

- He is like an accident waiting to happen.

Exercise 1 Finish the similes below.

1 The water is as cold as………………………………………………

2 The coffee was like …………………………………………………..

3 The racing car is as fast as………………………………………….

Now think of some things to write similes about. Brainstorm quickly, and write down 10

possible things below. Then choose 3 of them to write similes about.

1 ……………………………….. 6 ………………………………..

2 ……………………………….. 7 ………………………………..

3 ………………………………… 8 ………………………………..

4 ………………………………… 9 ………………………………..

5 ………………………………… 10 ………………………………..

Now write your three similes.

1 ………………………………………………………………………………..

2 ………………………………………………………………………………..

3 ………………………………………………………………………………..

Exercise 2 Finish the metaphors below.

1 The star is ……………….………………………………………………

2 The angry boy is…………………………………………………………

3 The exam was……………………………………………………………

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Now look at your list of possible things to write similes about. Then choose 3 of them to write
metaphors about.
Now write your three metaphors. Remember NOT to use ‘like’ or ‘as’.

1 ………………………………………………………………………………..

2 ………………………………………………………………………………..

3 ………………………………………………………………………………..

Image poems

Exercise 3 Here are some image poems. Some use metaphor and simile. Some are also Haiku

(5-7-5 syllables).

Answer these questions for each poem below:

1 Does the poem describe a single thing? What is it?

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2 Does the poem use a metaphor or simile? Explain your answer.

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3 Check the syllables and mark them under the words. Are they really Haiku?

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A. The sleek silver bird B. Like a silver bird

rumbled down the runway and the huge passenger aircraft

lifted off skywards. commenced its take off.

C. Glorious southern sky; D. Stars shining brightly;

Totally pollution free; just like flickering candles

Brilliantly azure. in the southern sky.

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