2.1.2
Similes
Simile
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Peas in a pod
Peas in a pod
- The boys were like two peas in a pod.
- In this phrase, you are suggesting the boys are like these peas because they are very similar. They might spend a lot of their time together, enjoy doing the same things, behave in the same way, etc.
Tough as nails
Tough as nails
- He was as tough as nails.
- In this phrase, you are comparing the boy’s toughness with the toughness of nails.
Black as coal
Black as coal
- The midnight sky was as black as coal.
- In this phrase, you are comparing the darkness of the sky to the darkness of black coal.
Fierce as a lion
Fierce as a lion
- He was as fierce as a lion.
- In this phrase, you are comparing the anger and aggression of the lion with the anger and aggression of the man you are describing.
Tips for Using Similes
Tips for Using Similes
A simile is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, using ‘like’ or ‘as’. You are comparing the qualities of the two things you are comparing.
Think about the qualities
Think about the qualities
- Focus on the qualities of the things you are comparing – what kind of picture are you trying to paint? Are you trying to say that something/someone is strong, weak, happy, sad, etc.?
Think of something to compare
Think of something to compare
- Once you have figured out what kind of comparison you want to make, then think of something you can compare it to – something which clearly has that quality.
- For example, if I want to describe something as being ‘smooth’, I might think about the smooth surface of a calm sea. Then my simile might be: ‘It was as smooth as the silky sea on a calm day’.
Avoid unclear references
Avoid unclear references
- Remember that your comparisons must be clear to anyone who reads them – there’s no point telling us: ‘The siren was as loud as Tom’ because most people won’t know who you’re talking about. Make your references well-known.
- For example, ‘the siren was as loud as an excited football fan watching the final match’.
- In the example, most people will understand what we mean because they will have seen an excited football fan (if only on the television).
Avoid clichés
Avoid clichés
- Finally, avoid clichés.
- Yes, you could describe something as being ‘as fast as a cheetah’, but that’s been used so many times and just isn’t interesting anymore.
- Instead, avoid the easy option and try to think outside the box. For example, ‘as fast as a boulder rolling down a mountain’.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
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