Figurative language

I’m a firework
Like a plastic bag floating in the wind
Colour Poems

AIM: to understand similes and

metaphors in poetry

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
A simile is a direct comparison and
uses the word ‘like’ or ‘as’ in the
comparison.
 Guess the colour

- An inviting fire
glowing brightly
- A flickering candle
flame
- A comforting warmth
- Or a good feeling
- The forthcoming heat
- On a fresh summer
morning

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
 Guess the colour
-A calm sea floating on nothing,

-Tumbling waterfalls from a deep

rock face,

-A glowing jewel giving off a

special light,

-Never-ending holes that fall for

miles and miles,

-Dolphins leaping in the air,

-Quiet, peaceful, understanding,
flowing

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
 ‘What is …The Sun?’ by Wes Magee

The sun is an orange dinghy

sailing across a calm sea

It is a gold coin
dropped down a drain in heaven.

It is a yellow beach ball

kicked high into the summer
sky.

It is a red thumb-print
On a sheet of pale blue-paper.

It is the gold top from a milk bottle

floating on a puddle.

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
 Imagery in poetry: Metaphor

1.

2.

3.

4. List all the metaphors in the poem

5. Draw the different stages of the sun in the sky and label using
evidence from the text.
6. Think of two metaphors to describe the sun

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
 Similes in poetry

Write 5 similes (using as/like) using your

chosen colour.

Now turn your similes into metaphors by

replacing as or like with ‘are’, ‘is’ or ‘were’

Can use the 5 senses too.

Feels like…Smells like…Looks like…

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
 TASK

Write your colour as the title for your poem in the

poetry book
There is one rule. You cannot use the name of the
colour in your poem.
You must describe it.
Read your work to your partner.
What suggestions have they made?

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk
Your turn…
Write your own poem about: the stars, the sea, the moon, a tree or
snow
Remember to use similes and metaphors!

Colour poem expressing your feelings/thoughts

Colour poem relates feelings and thoughts/ own interpretation but

DO NOT SAY THE COLOUR (we have to guess next class!)

Copyright © 2008
www.englishteaching.co.uk