Similes, Metaphors, and Figurative Language
There are creative ways to make similie and metaphor lessons and activities motivating for students.
By Amy Wilding
Most students discover similes and metaphors in elementary or middle school. That’s not to say that high school students are adept at identifying or using either. It is important to periodically review each in any literature class that requires writing. Here are some ways to review and practice similes.
Definition of Similie: At the beginning of a review, start out by jogging prior knowledge. Write a few incomplete similes on the board. Try something like this, “as big as,” “as soft as” or “as tall as.” Be very general; allow students to use their imagination. Share the similes with the whole class and address any questions. For additional practice, find a few large pieces of paper and attach them to the board. Hand out Post-it notes and write similar phrases on each piece of white paper. Have students complete each simile by placing the Post-it note on the corresponding paper. This is a great way for students to exercise creativity, cooperate with each other and be engaged in the lesson.
Similes in Music: Start by telling students that similes are present in much more than literature. Use a common song as an example. Give each student a copy of the lyrics, and as a group, identify each simile. Divide the class into groups and give each group a song. Go through the same procedure. Each group should share their findings and identify the similies.The homework assignment is for each student to bring in his or her own song. Be sure that you explain what types of songs are appropriate. If it is a creative writing class, the next step could be to have them write their own song using similes, and then perform or read the lyrics to the rest of the class. One way to involve multiple classes, or even the school, is to have the students perform their songs in front of an audience.
Similes in Literature: While most students are exposed to similes during reading, they might not identify them as such. There are several ways to help them identify and understand similes. Use a text or poem that your students are currently analyzing. Once they have read through the text, see if they can identify the comparisons on their own, then review them as a class. Focus on not just what is being compared, but why the author is using the simile. I suggest addressing how writers use description to enhance the poem or text and involve the reader. One fun activity is to give them a poem without any similes and explain how that changes the overall enjoyment of the poem. Some good poems to use are—“O my love is like a red, red rose” by Robert Burns, and “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost.
Similes in a Creative Writing Class: You can write random objects on index cards and place them in a hat or bag. Have each student pull out a card and create a simile. Share the examples with the rest of the class. Encourage students to move beyond simple comparisons to more complex comparisons. Here are a couple fun examples that you could share.
- As welcome as a skunk at a lawn party
- As annoying as nails scratching against a chalkboard
Similes in Ads: This activity could be used in a creative writing or literature class. Have students bring in common advertisements and identify what is being compared. As a follow up, students could create a poster using multiple ads. Students could present their posters and explain how similes are being used. To make it more challenging, you could require that the ads be about one type of product or products made by the same company. I would also talk about how the incorporation of similes influences us, the public, to buy that product. Here are some other lessons that use similes.
Similie Lesson Plans:
This is a great, adaptable lesson. Students use a current poem to identify and analyze similes. The lesson has very clear procedures as well as corresponding standards. There is also a writing element for further practice
I love this lesson because it incorporates examples that students are familiar with in music, film and text. Students discuss the examples, write their own, and eventually "perform" them for the class. This is a great creative lesson.
Headless Horsemen, Heady Author
This lesson is for higher level classes, but still incorporates literary devices like similes. Students analyze a text and explain the use of similes. The lesson also has several additional links that are useful.
This lesson outlines in detail how music can be used to instruct and reinforce similes, as well as other literary devices. The lesson gives some examples of songs and follow up assignments. If you are not sure how to do a music lesson, try this first.
