APRIL 9 T H , 2012

English 10

Quick Talk

Poets often use language to help create images in your mind. How do they do this?

What is a simile? Metaphor?

Simile

Simile: an imaginative comparison using like or as. Used to describe something.

Ex. The politician was gone but unnoticed, like the period after the Dr. on a Dr Pepper can.

More Examples

Ex. He dances like a monkey on roller skates juggling razor blades in a hurricane.

Ex. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

Ex. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

Ex. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

Metaphor

Metaphor: an imaginative comparison not using like or as. When you use a word or phrase creatively to mean something else.

Ex. Her purse was a soft-sided trash bin, filled to the top with bits of used tissues, crumpled papers, and a half-eaten apple.

Ex. Her hair was a fierce lion's mane, never washed and sticking out in wild directions.

Ex. She was a walking color wheel.Metaphors give a stronger comparison.

Figurative Language

A more general term that describes language that is not being used in a literal way.

Ex. I could eat a horse.Ex. It only watch TV once in a blue moon.

Metaphors and similes are examples of figurative language.

Metaphors, Similes and Figurative Language Warm-Up Game

I will ask you to do one of two things.1) Write a simile or metaphor using a provided

phrase. Ex. as smart as / smarter thanHe is a smart as Mr. Harvey.He is smarter than a computer, like Mr. Harvey.2) Ask you to write a simile or metaphor using a

provided word.Ex. use elephant in a metaphor or simileHe was as brave as an elephant that saw a mouse.OR… His addiction was the elephant in the room.

Round 1

"cleaner than / as clean as..."

Round 2

Use “beautiful” in a metaphor or simile.

Round 3

“quieter than / as quiet as...”

Round 4

“dirtier than / as dirty as…”

Round 5

Use “jackhammer” in a metaphor/simile.

How to Read a Poem using “How to Eat a Poem”

You should always read a poem three times.1st) To simply enjoy the sound of the words.2nd) To read the words and consider what the

mean.3rd) To read deeply, carefully considering the

words, phrases and techniques used, and how the contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

1st Reading

I will read the poem aloud.Sit back, listen, and enjoy.

2nd Reading

This time, follow along on your page and underline anything that you think is interesting, important, annoying, boring, etc.

If a particular word or phrase creates an image in your mind, write it next to that word or phrase.

If there is something you don’t understand, underline it.

Mark up the page!

3rd Reading

Now, let’s get at some deep reading.Read the poem again and underline any

metaphors or figurative language you see.Mark up the page!

Small Group Discussion

What types of metaphors and non-literal language are used in the poem?

(don’t forget to use the asking for/providing anexample language we learned) Is the poem effective? How so? If not, why?(don’t forget to use the asking for/justifying an opinion

language we learned)

Remember, it’s o.k. to disagree. (don’t forget the respectful disagreeing phrases we

learned)

Time to Write our First Poem

Describe yourself using metaphors and similies.

Starter Phrases:My hair, my eyes, my smile, my body, my brain,

my voice, my imagination, my heart, my face,

I ____ like a ______I am as ______ as a ________

Example

My hair is as brown as a double-decker, chocolate ice cream cone.My eyes are blue like a blue, 70-page notebook that has lakes all over it.My body is as lean as a thick stick.My brain is a small brain but I have a thick skull.My voice is scratchy like nails scratching against a

chalkboard.My heart holds many things.My imagination is a big, fat elephant.My fingers are as fat as branches.-Calvin