Techniques
of Literature
Similes and Metaphors
Comparative Forms
• Figurative language
makes a story or poem
come alive. It uses
comparisons, sounds,
sensory images and
more to convey a special
message, idea or feeling.
• Poetry will be used to
study the comparative
forms: Similes and
Metaphors.
Similes
• A Simile helps the reader to see events,
people, objects or experiences in new
ways.
• This technique compares two
unlike objects using the words like or
as:
 Bobby was as excited as a puppy.
 Bobby was like an excited puppy.
 The breeze is as gentle as a butterfly.
 The breeze is like a gentle butterfly.
Metaphors
• A Metaphor also helps the reader to see
things in new ways.
• This technique compares two unlikely
objects by suggesting that one thing is the
other:
The sun is a bright spotlight in the sky.
Your love is the blood in my veins.
The tree was a canopy of coolness.
The pink rose of your lips…
Practice Exercise
Metaphor, Simile, or neither?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The temperature is as hot as a stove.
You are the sunshine of my life.
Harry likes to eat at the diner in town.
Jessica runs like the wind.
You are the clown of the gathering!
They planned a great picnic last week.
Your love is like a red, red rose.
She is the shade under which I rest.
Check your answers!
S=Simile, M=Metaphor, N- Neither
1. The temperature is as hot as a stove. S
2. You are the sunshine of my life. M
3. Harry likes to eat at the diner in town. N
4. Jessica runs like the wind. S
5. You are the clown of the gathering! M
6. They planned a great picnic last week. N
7. Your love is like a red, red rose. S
8. She is the shade under which I relax. M
Traditional Poetry
• The Haiku is a type of Japanese poetry about
nature. It is 3 lines long. The 1st line has 5
syllables, the 2nd line has 7 syllables and the 3rd
line has 5 syllables. You will integrate a simile or a
metaphor in your original Haiku.
• ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
____ ____ ____ ____ ____.
• Coqui! Coqui!
The Coqui is cute.
He lives in Puerto Rico;
Sings like a whistle. (Simile)
Writing your own Haiku
• Think about something you can say about
nature, including animals. Use a simile or a
metaphor. In other words, use at least one of
the two techniques studied in this lesson.
Count the syllables as you write.
• Example:
•
Kittens!
Can see a kitten,
Such beauty like a flower,
Such fun like a game.
(2 similes)
Examples
Life is a garden (metaphor)
In much need of attention:
Sunlight, water, love.
The cricket can sing;
It bothers so much at night!
Like stones in a shoe! (simile)
Rubric: Japanese Haiku
Criteria
On time
Correct spelling
Used a simile
or metaphor
Followed Haiku
format
Commented on
at least 2 peers
TOTAL
4 Awesome 3 Admirable 2 Acceptable
1 Amateur