Simile and Metaphor
A metaphor is a comparison that is made directly or less directly, but in any case without pointing out a similarity by using words such as “like,” “as,” or “than.”
A simile is a comparison made with “as,” “like,” or “than.”
via Poetry Foundation
Example
Example of metaphor:
excerpt from “'Hope' is the thing with feathers - (314)” by Emily Dickinson:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
Example of simile:
excerpt from “Rotation” by Natasha Trethewey:
Like the moon that night, my father —
a distant body, white and luminous.
How small I was back then,
looking up as if from dark earth.
Prompt
Having a frustrating day? Simile and metaphor can put a smile on your face. Pick a person, place, or thing that is annoying you. Make two columns, and write
_______ is / ________ like/as ________
Bonnie's text message is problematic as a punchbowl spiked with whiskey at a high school dance.
Let your frustration flag fly! Later you can mix and match these lines to create a poem.
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