Similes and Metaphors in
Poetry
Similes
Similes are comparisons that use the word
like or as
Similes help the reader connect with the
writing
Ex: The clouds were as fluffy as cotton.
Examples of Similes
 “cute as a kitten,” comparing the way someone looks to
the way a kitten looks
 “as busy as a bee” comparing someone’s level of energy
to a fast-flying bee
 "as snug as a bug in a rug" comparing someone who is
very cozy to how comfortable a bug can be in a rug
 "as happy as a clam" comparing someone's happiness to
the contentment of a clam
 "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what
you're going to get." comparing the uncertainty of life to
the uncertainty of choosing a chocolate from a box
 "as blind as a bat" indicating that the person cannot see
any better than a bat
Let’s try some that are harder!
 My love is like…
 You were as brave as …
 They fought like…
 He is as funny as…
 This house is as clean as…
 Her eyes glistened like…
 The rose petals are as delicate as…
 That is as easy as…
 They are as different as…
 She is as sweet as…
 He is as tough as…
 Her stomach growled like…
 The rain hit the ground like…
Simile Poems- Denise Rogers
 Your teeth are like stars;
 They come out at night
 .They come back at dawn
 When they’re ready to
bite.
“Your feet smell so bad
Just like limburger cheese
That I’m holding my nose
tight
Between my two knees.”
Similes and Metaphors in The
Hunger Games
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mz_AT6AeB0
Make your own Poetry
Follow this pattern:
A title
Three similes about the title (lines 1-3)
A statement about the title (line 4)
The title repeated (line 5)
Describe:
• Someone: Pick a person close to you, and
choose a certain characteristic of theirs.
What does it remind you of? What could
you compare it to?
Cats
 Eyes like emeralds
 Beautiful as jewels
 Claws like hooks
 Prowling for the kill Cats
 By Andrew James
Make Your Own Poetry
Describe:
• Something: Pick a personal item, and
think about it carefully. What does it
remind you of? What could you compare it
to?
Metaphors
 Make a comparison without using the words like or as
 Ex: The sky is an ocean
 Ex: Coffee is life
 Ex: Running is happiness
 Ex: The moon is a ghostly galleon tossed about clouded
seas. (John Masefield)
What extended metaphor is the author making in this poem?
Taking My Pen for a Walk
 Tonight I took the leash off my pen.
At first it was frightened,
looked up at me with confused eyes, tongue panting.
Then I said, ‘Go on, run away,’
and pushed its head.
Still it wasn’t sure what I wanted;
it whimpered with its tail between its legs.
So I yelled, ‘You’re free, why don’t you run you stupid pen, you should be glad.
Now get out of my sight.’
It took a few steps.
I stamped my foot and threw a stone.
Suddenly, it realised what I was saying
and began to run furiously away from me.
 -Julie O’Callaghan
Extended Metaphor?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFRNHZISQsA
 It has been said that “Haunted” could be an extended
metaphor for The Hunger Games. Remember, an
extended metaphor develops a comparison between 2
things over a series of sentences.
 After watching this video, be prepared to tell me what
comparisons the movie and song have. 
Metaphors in everyday life
 I was boiling with anger
 I had my heart in my mouth
 The car was traveling at a snail’s pace
Simile and metaphor review video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoSBVNUO2LU