2. Figurative language is used when a
writer describes something using
comparisons that go beyond literal
meaning.
The words mean more than what
they say on the surface. This gives
the writing a fresh look at a
common subject.
3. Figurative language is not meant to be
interpreted in a word by word sense.
The objects that are being compared
are different in enough ways so that
their similarities, when pointed out, are
interesting, unique and/or surprising.
Figurative language is used in poetry,
music and fiction, as well as in
everyday speech.
4. Similes
A simile is a comparison between
two unlike things that have
something in common.
A simile always uses the words
like or as to make a comparison.
5. Similes
More Examples
as hungry as a bear
as nutty as a fruitcake
as quick as lightning
as solid as a rock
as stubborn as a mule
as sturdy as an oak
Love is a like lemon - either bitter or
sweet.
6. Similes
Finish the simile:
2. I was as hungry as…
3. He was as tired as…
4. The city was as beautiful as…
5. She is as lovely as…
6. They slept like…
7. The night was dark like…
8. She screamed like a…
7. Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech
comparing two unlike things that
have something in common. The
comparison is made without the
use of like or as.
8. Metaphors
Examples
Patty was a raging bull when she lost her lunch
money.
The forest was a dark and frightening battlefield.
He has the courage of a lion.
You are the sun in my sky.
You are the light in my life.
His heart is ice cold.
A blanket of snow-covered the streets.
9. Metaphors
More Examples
Jumping for joy
It is raining cats and dogs.
You light up my life with your presence.
My memory is a little cloudy about that incident.
The stench of failure should not depress you.
Boiling mad
Frozen with fear
Steer away from the controversy
He spilled the beans
10. Brain Pop
http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/simi
11. Simile or Metaphor
Stanley Yelnats was as nervous as a cat
with a long tail in a room full of rocking
chairs as he rode the bus to Camp Green
Lake.
17. Simile or Metaphor
Squid was a wounded animal on the inside
even though he taunted Stanley about
receiving letters from, and writing to, his
mother.
29. Practice
Number your paper from 1 to 10. For each
of the following determine if the sentence
contains a simile or metaphor. Write your
answer on your paper.
30. Simile or Metaphor
1. Sam's medicinal remedies made from
onions were pure gold to the people of
Green Lake.
31. Simile or Metaphor
2. Charles Walker thought he was a tycoon
since his family was the richest in Green
Lake.
32. Simile or Metaphor
3. Elya Yelnats' luck was poisoned meat
that he passed down for generations to
his family.
33. Simile or Metaphor
4. Madame Zeroni's rage was a curse after
Elya broke his promise to carry her to the
top of a mountain.
34. Simile or Metaphor
5. Stanley Yelnats I was as happy as a rat
with a gold tooth when he reached the
summit of top of the thumb shaped
mountain.
35. Simile or Metaphor
6. Mr. Sir was meaner than Oscar the
Grouch when he had to replace smoking
with eating sunflower seeds.
40. More Practice
Go to page 36 in your student packet for
Holes. Complete the written practice.
Write simile or metaphor to show which
poetic device is being used in each item.
Then return to this PowerPoint.
41. "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg.
Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens
I've been in love with you.
Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you.
I'll bring fire in the winters
You'll send showers in the springs
We'll fly through the falls and summers
With love on our wings.
Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
Burning lines in the book of our lives
Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow (understood that this is aging)
I’ll be in love with you.
42. On the next slide you will see that U2 sang
a similar song in the late 80’s.
Does the song use metaphors or similes?
43. Listen to “Hawkmoon 269 ” by U2.
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Like a desert needs rain Like the hot needs the sun
Like a town needs a name Like honey on her tongue
I need your love Like the muzzle of a gun
Like oxygen
Like a drifter needs a room I need your love (I need your love)
Hawkmoon (Repeat)
I need your love [Repeat] When the night has no end
And the day yet to begin
Like a rhythm unbroken As the room spins around
Like drums in the night I need your love
Like sweet soul music
Like sunlight I need your love... [Repeat 9 times]
I need your love
Like thunder needs rain
Like coming home Like a preacher needs pain
And you don't know where you've been Like tongues of flame
Like black coffee Like a sheet stained
Like nicotine I need your love [Repeat]
I need your love (I need your love)
[Repeat] Like a needle in a vein
Like someone to blame
When the night has no end Like a thought unchained
And the day yet to begin Like a runaway train
As the room spins around I need your love
I need your love (Repeat)
I need your love... [Repeat 7 times]
Like a Phoenix rising needs a holy tree
Like the sweet revenge of a bitter enemy Like faith needs a doubt
I need your love Like a freeway out
I need your love
Like the hot needs the sun
Like honey on her tongue Like powder needs a spark
Like the muzzle of a gun Like lies need the dark
44. Listen to “The River” by Garth Brooks.
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows.
And a dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes.
Trying to learn from what's behind you and never knowing what's in store
makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.
And I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.
Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.
I'll never reach my destination if I never try,
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.
Too many times we stand aside and let the water slip away.
To what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today.
So don't you sit upon the shore and say you're satisfied.
Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tides.
-Chorus-
There's bound to be rough waters, and I know I'll take some falls.
With the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.
-Chorus-
45. “The River” by Garth Brooks.
similes in yellow - metaphors in green
You know a dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows.
And a dreamer's just a vessel that must follow where it goes.
Trying to learn from what's behind you and never knowing what's in store
makes each day a constant battle just to stay between the shores.
And I will sail my vessel (understood – live my dream) 'til the river runs dry.
Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky.
I'll never reach my destination if I never try,
So I will sail my vessel 'til the river runs dry.
Too many times we stand aside and let the water slip away.
To what we put off 'til tomorrow has now become today.
So don't you sit upon the shore (understood – be a bystander) and say you're
satisfied.
Choose to chance the rapids (understood - taking chances) and dare to dance
the tides (understood – live life).
-Chorus-
There's bound to be rough waters, and I know I'll take some falls.
With the good Lord as my captain, I can make it through them all.
-Chorus-
46. Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.”
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Daniel Boone was a man. Yes. a big man.
With an eye like an eagle and as tall as a mountain was he.
Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man.
He was brave; he was fearless and as tough as a mighty oak tree.
From the coonskin cap on the top of ol Dan to the heel of his rawhide
shoe
The rippin'est roarin'est fightin'est man the frontier ever knew.
Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man.
And he fought for America to make all Americans free.
What a Boone. What a wonder. What a dream comer truer was he.
47. Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.”
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man.
With an eye like an eagle and as tall as a mountain was he.
Daniel Boone was a man. Yes, a big man.
He was brave; he was fearless and as tough as a mighty oak tree.
From the coonskin cap on the top of ol Dan to the heel of his rawhide
shoe
The rippin'est roarin'est fightin'est man the frontier ever knew.
Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man.
And he fought for America to make all Americans free.
What a Boone. What a wonder. What a dream comer truer was
he.
48. Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green.”
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
It's not that easy bein' green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or
gold-
or something much more colorful like that.
It's not easy bein' green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out like
flashy sparkles in the water- or stars in the sky.
But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or
tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder,
I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.
49. Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green.”
similes yellow - metaphors green
It's not that easy bein' green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or
gold-
or something much more colorful like that.
It's not easy bein' green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're not standing out
like flashy sparkles in the water- or stars in the sky.
But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a
mountain, or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder,
I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.
50. Listen to “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger.
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Stood there boldly And I stood arrow straight
Sweatin’ in the sun Unencumbered by the weight
Felt like a million Of all these hustlers and their schemes
Felt like number one I stood proud, I stood tall
The height of summer High above it all
Id never felt that strong I still believed in my dreams
Like a rock
Twenty years now
I was eighteen Where’d they go?
Didn’t have a care Twenty years
Working for peanuts I don’t know
Not a dime to spare Sit and I wonder sometimes
But I was lean and Where they’ve gone
Solid everywhere
Like a rock And sometimes late at night
When I’m bathed in the firelight
My hands were steady The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white
My eyes were clear and bright And I recall
My walk had purpose Recall
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly Like a rock. standin’ arrow straight
To what I felt was right Like a rock, chargin’ from the gate
Like a rock Like a rock, carryin’ the weight
Like a rock
Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me Like a rock, the sun upon my skin
Like a rock, I was something to see Like a rock, hard against the wind
Like a rock Like a rock, I see myself again
51. “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger.
similes in yellow - metaphors in green
Stood there boldly And I stood arrow straight
Sweatin’ in the sun Unencumbered by the weight
Felt like a million Of all these hustlers and their schemes
Felt like number one I stood proud, I stood tall
The height of summer High above it all
I’d never felt that strong I still believed in my dreams
Like a rock
Twenty years now
I was eighteen Where’d they go?
Didn’t have a care Twenty years
Working for peanuts I don’t know
Not a dime to spare Sit and I wonder sometimes
But I was lean and Where they’ve gone
Solid everywhere
Like a rock And sometimes late at night
When I’m bathed in the firelight
My hands were steady The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white
My eyes were clear and bright And I recall
My walk had purpose Recall
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly Like a rock. standin’ arrow straight
To what I felt was right Like a rock, chargin’ from the gate
Like a rock Like a rock, carryin’ the weight
Like a rock
Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me Like a rock, the sun upon my skin
Like a rock, I was something to see Like a rock, hard against the wind
Like a rock Like a rock, I see myself again
52. Listen to “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by
The Temptations. Highlight similes in yellow and
metaphors in green.
You got a smile so bright
You know you could have been a candle You make my life so rich
I'm holding you so tight You know you should have been some money
You know you could have been a handle Baby you're so sweet
The way you swept me off my feet You know you should have been some honey
You know you could have been a broom Well you could have been anything that you
The way you smell so sweet want to
You know you could have been some perfume And I can tell
Well you could have been anything that you The way you do the things you do
want to
And I can tell You're really sweep me off my feet
The way you do the things you do You make my life complete
You make my life so bright
As pretty as you are
You know you could have been a flower You make me feel alright
Your good looks was a minute
You know that you could have been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could have been a cuckoo
And baby you're so smart
You know you could have been a schoolbook
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
53. “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by The
Temptations similes yellow - metaphors green
You got a smile so bright
You know you could have been a candle You make my life so rich
I'm holding you so tight You know you should have been some money
You know you could have been a handle Baby you're so sweet
The way you swept me off my feet You know you should have been some honey
You know you could have been a broom Well you could have been anything that you
The way you smell so sweet want to
You know you could have been some perfume And I can tell
Well, you could have been anything that you The way you do the things you do
want to
And I can tell You're really sweep me off my feet
The way you do the things you do You make my life complete
You make my life so bright
As pretty as you are
You know you could have been a flower You make me feel alright
Your good looks was a minute
You know that you could have been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could have been a cuckoo
And baby you're so smart
You know you could have been a schoolbook
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
54. Listen to “I’m Already There” by Lonestar. Highlight
similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
He called her on the road
From a lonely cold hotel room Lying right there beside you
But I know that Ill be in your dreams tonight
Just to hear her say I love you one more time
And I’ll gently kiss your lips
But when he heard the sound Touch you with my fingertips
Of the kids laughing in the background So turn out the light and close your eyes
He had to wipe away a tear from his eye
A little voice came on the phone I’m already there
Don’t make a sound
Said Daddy when you coming home
I’m the beat in your heart
He said the first thing that came to his mind I’m the moonlight shining down
I’m the whisper in the wind
[chorus] And Ill be there until the end
I’m already there Can you feel the love that we share
Take a look around Oh I’m already there
I’m the sunshine in your hair
I’m the shadow on the ground We may be a thousand miles apart
I’m the whisper in the wind But I’ll be with you wherever you are
I’m your imaginary friend
And I know I’m in your prayers [chorus]
Oh I’m already there And I’ll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
She got back on the phone Oh I’m already there
Said I really miss you darling Oh I’m already
Don’t worry about the kids they’ll be alright There
Wish I was in your arms
55. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar
similes yellow - metaphors in green
He called her on the road
From a lonely cold hotel room Lying right there beside you
But I know that Ill be in your dreams tonight
Just to hear her say I love you one more time
And I’ll gently kiss your lips
But when he heard the sound Touch you with my fingertips
Of the kids laughing in the background So turn out the light and close your eyes
He had to wipe away a tear from his eye
A little voice came on the phone I’m already there
Don’t make a sound
Said Daddy when you coming home
I’m the beat in your heart
He said the first thing that came to his mind I’m the moonlight shining down
I’m the whisper in the wind
[chorus] And I’ll be there until the end
I’m already there Can you feel the love that we share
Take a look around Oh I’m already there
I’m the sunshine in your hair
I’m the shadow on the ground We may be a thousand miles apart
I’m the whisper in the wind But I’ll be with you wherever you are
I’m your imaginary friend
And I know I’m in your prayers [chorus]
Oh I’m already there And I’ll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
She got back on the phone Oh I’m already there
Said I really miss you darling Oh I’m already
Don’t worry about the kids they’ll be alright There
Wish I was in your arms
56. Listen to “The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes. Highlight
similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor When the night has been too lonely
that leaves your soul to bleed. and the road has been to long,
Some say love, it is a hunger, and you think that love is only
an endless aching need. for the lucky and the strong,
I say love, it is a flower, just remember in the winter
and you its only seed. far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
It's the heart afraid of breaking in the spring becomes the rose.
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'
that never learns to live.
57. “The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes
similes yellow - metaphors green
Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor When the night has been too lonely
that leaves your soul to bleed. and the road has been to long
Some say love, it is a hunger, (understood – life has been hard),
an endless aching need. and you think that love is only
I say love, it is a flower, for the lucky and the strong,
and you its only seed. just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
It's the heart afraid of breaking lies the seed that with the sun's love
that never learns to dance. in the spring becomes the rose
It's the dream afraid of waking (understood – rose is love).
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'
that never learns to live.
