Lesson 1
Objectives
 Student will be able to understand two examples of
Figurative Language
 Students will be able to understand and identify Similes
 Students will be able to understand and identify Metaphors
 Students will be able to be able to recognize when a simile
and/or metaphor is being used in different areas of literary
expression
What is
Figurative
Language?
Whenever you
describe
something (A) by
comparing it
with something
else (B)
What Is Being Compared
Here?
My love is like a red, red rose.
~Robert Burns
D
oes the narrator mean love is a rose?
Survey says…
The narrator does NOT
mean that love is a rose,
but that love is like a
rose.
My love is like a red, red rose.
Context clues are words, phrases,
and sentences around the unknown
word to help understand the
meaning.
The reader should interpret and
analyze why love is being compared
to a rose based on the context.
Your Turn!
Why do you think love is being compared to a rose?
What does this mean to you?
LOVE
Answer:
Using the context clues, we know
that love is like a rose. It is to your
own interpretation to analyze why
love is being compared to a rose.
This is an example of Figurative Language
Figurative Language
Two examples of Figurative Language are Similes1 and Metaphors2
Figurative
Language
Simile
Metaphor
What is a
1
Simile?
Simile
is the practice of comparing
two unrelated people,
places, or things to
understand a deeper
meaning.
Most commonly used with:
‘like’
Examples:
My love is like a red, red rose.
She is as busy as a bee.
‘as’
Your Turn!
Which Sounds Better?
You shine bright like a diamond.
Life is like a box of chocolates.
He eats a lot.
She is as gentle as a lamb.
You are unique.
Life is unexpected.
He eats like a pig.
She is soft-hearted.
Your Turn!
Which Sounds Better?
You shine bright like a diamond.
Life is like a box of chocolates.
He eats a lot.
She is as gentle as a lamb.
You are unique.
Life is unexpected.
He eats like a pig.
She is soft-hearted.
Recognizing Similes in Songs
Fireworks by Katy Perry
Highlight the
similes in
these lyrics?
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
What Is Being Compared Here?
YOU
LIKE
PLASTIC BAG
“Drifting through the wind, wanting to
start again?”
YOU
LIKE
HOUSE OF CARDS
“one blow from caving in?”
Your Turn:
Underline the Similes
Like a lightening bolt, your heart will blow
And when it’s time you’ll know,
You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July.
What is a Metaphor?
A metaphor is the comparison of one
subject to another to reveal a deeper,
more distinct meaning.
IMPORTANT!
(Without using ‘like’ or ‘as’)
EXAMPLES:
You are my light.
She has a heart of gold.
Which Sounds Better?
He makes me happy.
She feels blue.
He is the apple of my eye.
She is sad.
Her voice is music to his ears.
The children are kind.
Her voice is beautiful.
The children have a heart of gold.
Which Sounds Better?
He makes me happy.
She feels blue.
He is the apple of my eye.
She is sad.
Her voice is music to his ears.
The children are kind.
Her voice is beautiful.
The children have a heart of gold.
Recognizing Metaphors in Songs
Fireworks by Katy Perry
Highlight the
metaphors in
these lyrics?
Cause baby, you’re a firework
Come and show’em what you’re worth
Remember:
Metaphors compare things
without using ‘like’ or ‘as’
Make’em go oh, oh, oh
As you shoot across the sky.
What Is Being Compared Here?
YOU
FIREWORK
“ ’Cause baby you’re a firework, come
and show us what your worth”
YOU
SHOOT ACROSS THE SKY
“As you shoot across the sky”
Your Turn!
F
O
L
L
O
W
T
H
I
S
Watch a song clip from this video and
identify (2) phrases that use similes
and/or metaphors.
LINK
More Examples of Similes and Metaphors
Using the
Comment Box On
Our Website
Click Here for Website
Assignment
Identify (2) phrases in the
songs that use similes
and/or metaphors and
explain why you think
they were used.