Build a
Better
Metaphor

A metaphor is a comparison between two different things.
• For example:
• The sun is an egg yolk.
• My fingers are ice cubes.
• Love is a battlefield.
Can you think of any others?

An adjective is a word that describes a noun.
• For example:
• RED
• SLIMY
• SONOROUS
Can you think of any others?
Write your adjective on the blue card.

A concrete noun is a word that refers to a physical and usually visible or touchable object.
For example:
• BUCKET
• BLADE
• TOE
Can you think of any others?
Write your concrete noun on the pink card.

A abstract noun is a word that refers to a concept, quality, or other intangible idea.
For example:
• FRIENDSHIP
• JEALOUSY
• BEAUTY
Can you think of any others?
Write your abstract noun on the yellow card.

Come to the front and put each of your cards in a pile with cards of the same color.
Adjective
Concrete
Noun
Abstract
Noun

Each student comes to the front and picks one card from each pile in order and reads aloud the resulting new metaphor.
For example:
The red bucket of friendship
The slimy blade of jealousy
The sonorous toe of beauty

We will write them on the board.
Which ones seem to work in surprising ways and which ones just plain don’t?

Write a poem about one of the metaphors by either explaining how it does or does not work.
If you finish early, come up with your own metaphor for the same abstract noun using new adjectives and concrete nouns.
Write a new poem with your new metaphor.

• Share your Not poem at your table.

Turn your metaphor into a simile.
• For example:
• The sun is an egg yolk becomes the sun is like an egg yolk.
• My fingers are ice cubes becomes my fingers are as cold as ice cubes.
• Love is a battlefield becomes love is like a battlefield.

Write a poem about the simile by either explaining how it does or does not work.
If you finish early, come up with your own simile for the same abstract noun using new adjectives and concrete nouns.
Write another poem with your new simile.