Similes Similes

Based on a presentation from Based on a presentation from www.mce.k12tn.net/reading39/.../Similes%20and%20Metaphors.ppt with modifications by Rebecca Oberg.with modifications by Rebecca Oberg.

What is Figurative Language?What is Figurative Language?

Figurative language is used when a writer Figurative language is used when a writer describes something using comparisons that go describes something using comparisons that go beyond literal meaning. The words mean more beyond literal meaning. The words mean more than what they say on the surface. This gives the than what they say on the surface. This gives the writing a fresh look at a common subject. The writing a fresh look at a common subject. The objects that are being compared are different in objects that are being compared are different in enough ways so that their similarities, when enough ways so that their similarities, when pointed out, are interesting, unique and/or pointed out, are interesting, unique and/or surprising. Figurative language is used in poetry surprising. Figurative language is used in poetry and fiction, as well as in everyday speech. and fiction, as well as in everyday speech.

Similes Similes 

A simile is a comparison A simile is a comparison between two unlike things between two unlike things that have something in that have something in common. A simile always common. A simile always uses the words like or as to uses the words like or as to make a comparison. make a comparison.

Similes Similes 

ExamplesExamples It's been a hard day's night, and I've been

working like a dog. - The Beatles My heart is like an open highway. - Jon Bon

Jovi like two peas in a pod like Christmas in summer snow was like a blanket my love is like a red, red rose deer ran like the wind

SimilesSimiles

More ExamplesMore Examples as hungry as a bear as nutty as a fruitcake as quick as lightning as slippery as an eel as solid as a rock as stubborn as a mule as sturdy as an oak

Find the SimileFind the Simile

Stanley Yelnats was as nervous as a Stanley Yelnats was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs as he rode the bus to rocking chairs as he rode the bus to Camp Green Lake. Camp Green Lake.

Find the SimileFind the Simile

X-Ray was misnamed for he was really X-Ray was misnamed for he was really as blind as a bat. as blind as a bat.

Find the SimileFind the Simile

Caveman smelled like a skunk after Caveman smelled like a skunk after days of not bathing.days of not bathing.

Find the SimileFind the Simile

Kate Barlow was as gentle as a lamb, Kate Barlow was as gentle as a lamb, while Kissin' Kate was as tough as while Kissin' Kate was as tough as nails. nails.

Lyrics to “The River” by Garth Brooks. Lyrics to “The River” by Garth Brooks. Find the similes.Find the similes.

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 storemakes 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-

““The River” by Garth Brooks. The River” by Garth Brooks. Similes in yellow.Similes in yellow.

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 storemakes 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-

Lyrics to to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.” Lyrics to to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.” Find the similes.Find the similes.

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.

““Daniel Boone Theme Song.” Daniel Boone Theme Song.” Similes in yellow.Similes in yellow.

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.

Lyrics to “It's Not Easy Being Green.” Lyrics to “It's Not Easy Being Green.” Find the similes.Find the similes.

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.

““It's Not Easy Being Green.” It's Not Easy Being Green.” Similes in yellow.Similes in yellow.

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.

Lyrics to “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger. Lyrics to “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger. Find the similes.Find the similes.

Stood there boldlySweatin’ in the sunFelt like a millionFelt like number oneThe height of summerId never felt that strongLike a rock

I was eighteenDidn’t have a careWorking for peanutsNot a dime to spareBut I was lean andSolid everywhereLike a rock

My hands were steadyMy eyes were clear and brightMy walk had purposeMy steps were quick and lightAnd I held firmlyTo what I felt was rightLike a rock

Like a rock, I was strong as I could beLike a rock, nothin’ ever got to meLike a rock, I was something to seeLike a rock

And I stood arrow straightUnencumbered by the weightOf all these hustlers and their schemesI stood proud, I stood tallHigh above it allI still believed in my dreams

Twenty years nowWhere’d they go? Twenty yearsI don’t knowSit and I wonder sometimesWhere they’ve gone

And sometimes late at nightWhen I’m bathed in the firelightThe moon comes callin’ a ghostly whiteAnd I recallRecall

Like a rock. standin’ arrow straightLike a rock, chargin’ from the gateLike a rock, carryin’ the weightLike a rock

Like a rock, the sun upon my skinLike a rock, hard against the windLike a rock, I see myself againLike a rock

““Like a Rock” by Bob Seger. Like a Rock” by Bob Seger. Similes in yellow. Similes in yellow.

Stood there boldlySweatin’ in the sunFelt like a millionFelt like number oneThe height of summerI’d never felt that strongLike a rock

I was eighteenDidn’t have a careWorking for peanutsNot a dime to spareBut I was lean andSolid everywhereLike a rock

My hands were steadyMy eyes were clear and brightMy walk had purposeMy steps were quick and lightAnd I held firmlyTo what I felt was rightLike a rock

Like a rock, I was strong as I could beLike a rock, nothin’ ever got to meLike a rock, I was something to seeLike a rock

And I stood arrow straightUnencumbered by the weightOf all these hustlers and their schemesI stood proud, I stood tallHigh above it allI still believed in my dreams

Twenty years nowWhere’d they go? Twenty yearsI don’t knowSit and I wonder sometimesWhere they’ve gone

And sometimes late at nightWhen I’m bathed in the firelightThe moon comes callin’ a ghostly whiteAnd I recallRecall

Like a rock. standin’ arrow straight Like a rock, chargin’ from the gate Like a rock, carryin’ the weight Like a rock

Like a rock, the sun upon my skin Like a rock, hard against the wind Like a rock, I see myself again Like a rock

““Hawkmoon 269 ” Hawkmoon 269 ” by U2. by U2.

Find the similes.Find the similes.

Like a desert needs rain Like a town needs a name I need your love

Like a drifter needs a room Hawkmoon I need your love [Repeat]

Like a rhythm unbroken Like drums in the night Like sweet soul music Like sunlight I need your love

Like coming home And you don't know where you've been Like black coffee Like nicotine I need your love (I need your love) [Repeat]

When the night has no end And the day yet to begin As the room spins around I need your love (Repeat)

Like a Phoenix rising needs a holy tree Like the sweet revenge of a bitter enemy I need your love

Like the hot needs the sun Like honey on her tongue Like the muzzle of a gun Like oxygen

Like the hot needs the sun Like honey on her tongue Like the muzzle of a gun Like oxygen I need your love (I need your love) (Repeat)When the night has no end And the day yet to begin As the room spins around I need your love

I need your love... [Repeat 9 times]

Like thunder needs rain Like a preacher needs pain Like tongues of flame Like a sheet stained I need your love [Repeat]

Like a needle in a vein Like someone to blame Like a thought unchained Like a runaway train I need your love

I need your love... [Repeat 7 times]

Like faith needs a doubt Like a freeway out I need your love

Like powder needs a spark Like lies need the dark I need your love

In the heart of the heat of the love

Remember:Remember:Sometimes people confuse the word “simile” with the word “synonym.”

Remember, a simile is a comparison between two things using the words like or as.

If you’re trying to recognize a simile, look for “like” or “as” in the comparison!

Synonyms are different words with nearly identical or similar meanings.

If two or more items are being directly compared without the use of “like” or “as,” then you are encountering a metaphor, not a simile!

Good luck with creating Good luck with creating your own similes! After your own similes! After

encountering this packet, encountering this packet, you’ll be as successful as you’ll be as successful as

a gold medalist!a gold medalist!