Simile

Definition: Simile is when you

compare two nouns (persons, places or
things) that are unlike, with "like" or
"as."
Example

"The water is like the sun."

"The water is like the sun" is an
example of simile because water and
the sun have little in common, and yet
they're being compared to one
another. The "is" is also part of what
makes this stanza an example of
simile.

"The rain falls like the sun,

rising upon the mountains."

Here is another example, comparing

falling rain to the rising of the sun.
Good similes compare two very
different nouns.

SENSES

Sadness is as happy as laughter.

You might cry because it hurts.
You might laugh because it hurts.
But I know one thing,
laughter is laughter and sadness
is sadness.
They can show the
 same things like
hurting and gladness.

MILES
Similes compare two things by using the words like or
as. Think about different things. Write some similes
about them.
Here is a simile about a tree:
The tree was as tall as a house.
Now your turn:
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________
Pick the one you like the best. Write it in the box below and illustrate it.

Similes

Similes are comparisons that show how two things that

are not alike in most ways are similar in one important
way. Similes are a way to describe something. Authors
use them to make their writing more interesting or
entertaining.
Similes use the words “as” or “like” to make the
connection between the two things that are being
compared.
Examples:
1. Playing chess with Ashley is like trying to outsmart a
computer.
The activity “playing chess with Ashley”
is being compared to “trying to outsmart
a computer.” The point is that Ashley can
think in a powerful manner that resembles the way a
computer operates, not that she is like a computer in any
other way.
2. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.
His temper is being compared to a volcano in that it can
be sudden and violent.

Underline the word or phrase that is being described by

each simile. Put parentheses around the word or phrase
it is being compared to. The first three have been done
for you.
1. Mary frowned and said, “I believe that taking
drugs is like (playing with fire).”
2. I walked along the beach and listened to the ocean.
My sadness was as unending as the (waves).
3. Don’t tell Mother that her cookies taste like (lumps
of sand).
4. Sam waited impatiently for his older brother to calm
down. “Bill, I think you are acting like a baby,” he said.
5. Karen was offended when I said that she was as flaky
as a snowstorm.
6. Be careful when you go out. The sidewalk is as
slippery as greased glass.
7. I’m not comfortable about this situation. I feel like a
bug sitting under a magnifying glass.
8. I hoped our play would be a success and last for
many performances. However, I guess it will last as long
as a balloon in a roomful of kittens.
9. I really like Patty. Her heart is as soft as a feather
pillow.
10. Cheryl’s smile is as sweet as a lullaby.
Figurative language worksheet
Name:______________
A. Similes
Create a simile by filling in the blank. Try to appeal to each of the senses at
least once. Remember to compare two unlike things.
Example: Susie was as slow as a snail.
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
As ________________as _______________
B. Metaphor
Create a metaphor by comparing two unlike items.
Example: The football player is an ox.

Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in
most ways are similar in one important way. Metaphors are a way to
describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting
or entertaining.

Unlike similes that use the words “as” or “like” to make a

comparison, metaphors state that something is something else.

Read the statements that contain metaphors in italics. Then complete the
statements that explain the metaphors.
1. Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball back over the net.

This metaphor compares Brian to a wall because __________.

a. He was very strong.

b. He was very tall.
c. He kept returning the balls.
d. His body was made of cells.

2. We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.

Tammy was being compared to a hog because she __________.

a. looked like a hog

b. ate like a hog
c. smelled like a hog
d. was as smart as a hog

3. Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind.

The metaphor compares Cindy to a mule because she was __________.

a. always eating oats

b. able to do hard work
c. raised on a farm
d. very stubborn

4. The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, caught
his prey.

The cat was compared to a bolt of lightning because he was __________.

a. very fast
b. very bright
c. not fond of fleas
d. very old

5. Even a child could carry my dog, Dogface, around for hours. He’s such a
feather.

This metaphor implies that Dogface __________.

a. is not cute
b. looks like a bird
c. is not heavy
d. can fly

Personification
Definition: when you make a thing, idea,
or an animal do something only humans
can do.
Example

"Wind yells while blowing"

"Wind yells while blowing" is an example

of personification because wind cannot
yell. Only a living thing can yell.
Personification is giving human traits
(qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics)
to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities,
or ideas).

For example: The window winked at me. The

verb, wink, is a human action. A window is a
non-living object.

Necklace is a friend
PERSONIFICATION
is giving human qualities to something
that is not human
You can personify objects:
The lights blinked in the distance.
The moon is a harsh mistress.
Your computer hates me.
You can personify concepts:
Time marches on.
It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.
You can personify animals:
The birds expressed their joy.
The groundhog hovered indecisively

On your own paper, write the object being personified and the meaning of the
personification.

1. The wind sang her mournful song through the falling leaves.
2. The microwave timer told me it was time to turn my TV dinner.
3. The video camera observed the whole scene.
4. The strawberries seemed to sing, "Eat me first!"
5. The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.
6. The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the walkers.
7. The water beckoned invitingly to the hot swimmers.
8. The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during the early morning
hours.
9. The china danced on the shelves during the earthquake.
10.The car engine coughed and sputtered when it started during the
blizzard.