2. Similes
A simile is a comparison between
two unlike things that have
something in common. A simile
always uses the words like or as
to make a comparison.
3. Similes
Examples
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
4. Similes
More 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
5. Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech
comparing two unlike things that
have something in common. The
comparison is made without the
use of like or as.
6. Metaphors
Examples
Patty was a raging tiger when she lost her lunch
money.
During the night the forest was a dark,
frightening battlefield.
A heart of stone
He has the heart of a lion.
You are the sun in my sky.
You are the light in my life.
7. Metaphors
More Examples
Life is a mere dream, a fleeting shadow on a
cloudy day.
Drowning in the sea
Jumping for joy
Rolling in dough
Apple of my eye
It is raining cats and dogs.
8. Simile or Metaphor
William was as nervous as a cat with a long
tail in a room full of rocking chairs as he
rode the bus to Camp Green Lake.
24. Practice
Number your paper from 1 to 10. For each
of the following determine if the sentence
contains a simile or metaphor. Write your
answer on your paper.
25. Simile or Metaphor
1. Sam's medicinal remedies made from
onions were pure gold to the people of
Green Lake.
26. Simile or Metaphor
2. Charles Walker thought he was a tycoon
since his family was the richest in Green
Lake.
27. Simile or Metaphor
3. Elya Yelnats' luck was poisoned meat
that he passed down for generations to
his family.
28. Simile or Metaphor
4. Madame Zeroni's rage was a curse after
Elya broke his promise to carry her to the
top of a mountain.
29. Simile or Metaphor
5. Stanley was as happy as a rat with a
gold tooth when he reached the summit of
the thumb shaped mountain.
30. Simile or Metaphor
6. Mr. Sir was meaner than Oscar the
Grouch when he had to replace smoking
with eating sunflower seeds.
35. Listen to the song "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg. Can
you find any similes or metaphors in this song?
Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens
I've been in love with you.
Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you.
I'll bring fire in the winters
You'll send showers in the springs
We'll fly through the falls and summers
With love on our wings.
Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
Burning lines in the book of our lives
Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow
I’ll be in love with you.
36. "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg.
Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens
I've been in love with you.
Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you.
I'll bring fire in the winters
You'll send showers in the springs
We'll fly through the falls and summers
With love on our wings.
Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
Burning lines in the book of our lives
Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow (understood that this is aging)
I’ll be in love with you.
37. On the next slide you will see that U2 sang
a similar song in the late 80’s.
Does the song use metaphors or similes?
38. Listen to “Hawkmoon 269 ” by U2.
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
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 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
39. Listen to “The River” by Garth Brooks.
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
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 store
makes 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-
40. “The River” by Garth Brooks.
similes in yellow - metaphors in green
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 store
makes 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-
41. Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.”
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
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.
42. Listen to “Daniel Boone Theme Song.”
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
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.
43. Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green.”
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
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.
44. Listen to “It's Not Easy Being Green.”
similes yellow - metaphors green
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.
45. Listen to “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger.
Highlight similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Stood there boldly
Sweatin’ in the sun
Felt like a million
Felt like number one
The height of summer
Id never felt that strong
Like a rock
I was eighteen
Didn’t have a care
Working for peanuts
Not a dime to spare
But I was lean and
Solid everywhere
Like a rock
My hands were steady
My eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly
To what I felt was right
Like a rock
Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me
Like a rock, I was something to see
Like a rock
And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight
Of all these hustlers and their schemes
I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams
Twenty years now
Where’d they go?
Twenty years
I don’t know
Sit and I wonder sometimes
Where they’ve gone
And sometimes late at night
When I’m bathed in the firelight
The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white
And I recall
Recall
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
46. “Like a Rock” by Bob Seger.
similes in yellow - metaphors in green
Stood there boldly
Sweatin’ in the sun
Felt like a million
Felt like number one
The height of summer
I’d never felt that strong
Like a rock
I was eighteen
Didn’t have a care
Working for peanuts
Not a dime to spare
But I was lean and
Solid everywhere
Like a rock
My hands were steady
My eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly
To what I felt was right
Like a rock
Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin’ ever got to me
Like a rock, I was something to see
Like a rock
And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight
Of all these hustlers and their schemes
I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams
Twenty years now
Where’d they go?
Twenty years
I don’t know
Sit and I wonder sometimes
Where they’ve gone
And sometimes late at night
When I’m bathed in the firelight
The moon comes callin’ a ghostly white
And I recall
Recall
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
47. Listen to “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by
The Temptations. Highlight similes in yellow
and metaphors in green.
You got a smile so bright
You know you could have been a candle
I'm holding you so tight
You know you could have been a handle
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could have been a broom
The way you smell so sweet
You know you could have been some perfume
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
As pretty as you are
You know you could have been a flower
Your good looks was a minute
You know that you could have been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could have been a cuckoo
And baby you're so smart
You know you could have been a schoolbook
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
You make my life so rich
You know you should have been some money
Baby you're so sweet
You know you should have been some honey
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
You're really sweep me off my feet
You make my life complete
You make my life so bright
You make me feel alright
48. “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by The
Temptations similes yellow - metaphors green
You got a smile so bright
You know you could have been a candle
I'm holding you so tight
You know you could have been a handle
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could have been a broom
The way you smell so sweet
You know you could have been some perfume
Well, you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
As pretty as you are
You know you could have been a flower
Your good looks was a minute
You know that you could have been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could have been a cuckoo
And baby you're so smart
You know you could have been a schoolbook
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
You make my life so rich
You know you should have been some money
Baby you're so sweet
You know you should have been some honey
Well you could have been anything that you
want to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
You're really sweep me off my feet
You make my life complete
You make my life so bright
You make me feel alright
49. Listen to “I’m Already There” by Lonestar. Highlight
similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
He called her on the road
From a lonely cold hotel room
Just to hear her say I love you one more time
But when he heard the sound
Of the kids laughing in the background
He had to wipe away a tear from his eye
A little voice came on the phone
Said Daddy when you coming home
He said the first thing that came to his mind
[chorus]
I’m already there
Take a look around
I’m the sunshine in your hair
I’m the shadow on the ground
I’m the whisper in the wind
I’m your imaginary friend
And I know I’m in your prayers
Oh I’m already there
She got back on the phone
Said I really miss you darling
Don’t worry about the kids they’ll be alright
Wish I was in your arms
Lying right there beside you
But I know that Ill be in your dreams tonight
And I’ll gently kiss your lips
Touch you with my fingertips
So turn out the light and close your eyes
I’m already there
Don’t make a sound
I’m the beat in your heart
I’m the moonlight shining down
I’m the whisper in the wind
And Ill be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I’m already there
We may be a thousand miles apart
But I’ll be with you wherever you are
[chorus]
And I’ll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I’m already there
Oh I’m already
There
50. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar
similes yellow - metaphors in green
He called her on the road
From a lonely cold hotel room
Just to hear her say I love you one more time
But when he heard the sound
Of the kids laughing in the background
He had to wipe away a tear from his eye
A little voice came on the phone
Said Daddy when you coming home
He said the first thing that came to his mind
[chorus]
I’m already there
Take a look around
I’m the sunshine in your hair
I’m the shadow on the ground
I’m the whisper in the wind
I’m your imaginary friend
And I know I’m in your prayers
Oh I’m already there
She got back on the phone
Said I really miss you darling
Don’t worry about the kids they’ll be alright
Wish I was in your arms
Lying right there beside you
But I know that Ill be in your dreams tonight
And I’ll gently kiss your lips
Touch you with my fingertips
So turn out the light and close your eyes
I’m already there
Don’t make a sound
I’m the beat in your heart
I’m the moonlight shining down
I’m the whisper in the wind
And I’ll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I’m already there
We may be a thousand miles apart
But I’ll be with you wherever you are
[chorus]
And I’ll be there until the end
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I’m already there
Oh I’m already
There
51. Listen to “The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes. Highlight
similes in yellow and metaphors in green.
Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
and you its only seed.
It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'
that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been to long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.
52. “The Rose” by Lee Ann Rimes
similes yellow - metaphors green
Some say love, it is a river
that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
and you its only seed.
It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
who cannot seem to give,
and the soul afraid of dyin'
that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been to long
(understood – life has been hard),
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose
(understood – rose is love).
