SIMILE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/listenandwrite/similes/index.htm

A simile is a comparison using like or as. It usually compares two dissimilar objects. For example: His feet were as big as boats. We are comparing the size of feet to boats. Go to http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/teachwell/simpage.htm and get an idea of how to think of similes.

Using the poem below underline all of the similes. Decide which items are being compared.

 "Willow and Ginkgo" by Eve Merriam

The willow is like an etching,
Fine-lined against the sky.
The ginkgo is like a crude sketch,
Hardly worthy to be signed.

The willow's music is like a soprano,
Delicate and thin.
The ginkgo's tune is like a chorus
With everyone joining in.

The willow is sleek as a velvet-nosed calf;
The ginkgo is leathery as an old bull. 

The willow's branches are like silken thread;
The ginkgo's like stubby rough wool. 
The willow is like a nymph with streaming hair;
Wherever it grows, there is green and gold and fair.

 The willow dips to the water,
Protected and precious, like the king's favorite daughter.
The ginkgo forces its way through gray concrete;
Like a city child, it grows up in the street.

Thrust against the metal sky,
Somehow it survives and even thrives.

My eyes feast upon the willow,
But my heart goes to the ginkgo.

"Snow" by Walter de la Mare.

No breath of wind,
No gleam of sun &endash;

Still the white snow
Whirls softly down

Twig and bough
And blade and thorn

All in an icy
Quiet, forlorn.

Whispering, rustling,
Through the air

On still and stone,
Roof, - everywhere,

It heaps its powdery
Crystal flakes,

Of every tree
A mountain makes;

'Til pale and faint
At shut of day

Stoops from the West
One wint'ry ray,

And, feathered in fire
Where ghosts the moon,

A robin shrills
His lonely tune.

 

What similies did you find in "Snow?" Why were they effective?

Think about writing your own poem about a thunder storm. Start by dividing a page in your exercise book into three columns as follows: Write the three column headings as shown:

Rain Falling

trickling
splashes
torrential
Wind Blowing

howling
whistles
hissing
Thunder and Lightning

screaming
rolling
growling

Add another ten or more words of your own to each list.

Now think about what each part of your storm is like . You may think that the rain is like a spiteful enemy, or that the thunder is like a monster. Write down as many comparisons as you can for the rain, the wind and the thunder and lightening. These comparisons are called similes and are very useful when writing your own poems.

Now try writing a poem entitled 'The Storm' and use as many of the words and comparisons in your lists as you can.

When you are satisfied that your poem is as vivid as possible, copy it out neatly and illustrate it.

Hope you're inspired because now it's time for you to create an original poem that uses similies.  

  1. Pick your favorite sport or other topic. That will be your theme.
  2. Decide: 1) For what purpose will you write? 2) What mood do you want to convey?
  3. Think of the images, descriptive words, and figurative language that best describe your idea (remember sounds, smells, sights). Jot them down in web form or in a list as you think of them.
  4. Now work on writing your poem. Draft, revise, and edit.
  5. Now, for the real test, read it ALOUD. Does it really paint a clear picture?
  6. Share your poem with someone else. Listen to his or her critique of your poem. A critique is when someone tells you the strengths and weaknesses of your work. DON'T GET MAD, LISTEN to the suggestions. Revise your work. Remember, the BEST writers are REWRITERS!
  7. Give your poem a title.
  8. Type and choose a font that adds to the look of your poem.
  9. Illustrate your poem.

Interested in making a visual similes using PowerPoint? Give the Simile Safari a try.

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