What kind of comparison is a metaphor

Don't put all of your eggs in one doghouse. Here are some examples of the word itself:. Driving is such a metaphor , literally and figuratively, for freedom — as it is in the movie — so I'm amazed when some people never learn it. Los Angeles Times. Never mind what Lemmy said — with respect, 'Ace of Spades' can be viewed as a metaphor.

Then it was all about finding the right analogy or metaphor for the way to tell an audience. New York Times. A simile is similar but it always uses "like" or "as. Just like that old joke from Fat Albert , "You're like school on Saturday: no class! Clouds roasted like marshmallows; everything — eventually — scorched beyond simile.

See what we did here? That first sentence uses a simile , and the second uses a metaphor. But do you know what makes a simile a simile and what makes a metaphor a metaphor?

Similes and metaphors are two of the most common figures of speech —expressions that allow us to make comparisons, connections, and descriptions beyond literal ones. Join us as we dig into how they work, explain how to tell them apart, and give you a treasure trove of examples.

A simile is a comparison between two things that uses the word like or as : Her smile is as bright as sunshine. A metaphor is a direct comparison between two things that does not use like or as : Her smile is sunshine. A simile is a figure of speech in which two things are compared in a way that clearly indicates that a comparison is being made. This is typically done using the words like or as. The most basic form is X is like y , as in His temper is like a thunderstorm.

But you can form similes in other ways, too: His temper is as furious as a thunderstorm or His temper is furious, much like a thunderstorm. Similes are generally used to make descriptions more vivid. But the use of like or as clearly indicates that a comparison is being made. Similes are everywhere: in poems, songs, novels, news reports, everyday conversation, and any writing or speech using a creative comparison that involves the words like or as.

Educate yourself further on how to use figuratively and literally accurately. Metaphor is a much broader term than simile. In the broadest sense, the word metaphor refers to a symbol that represents something else.

Sometimes, this type of metaphor is basically a simile without the words like or as , as in His temper was a thunderstorm. The basic point here is that you should never feel compelled to go with the first metaphor or simile you come up with. When people write stories, they can be tempted to stick with the very first "clever" metaphor or simile they think of — but oftentimes these phrases can be drastically improved upon and made clearer and more relevant. But is it really bad to stick with the first metaphor you think of?

Of course not! Sometimes people do come up with amazing metaphors right away and end up keeping them as is, even in the final version of the text. Doing all this will not only give you practice with metaphors and similes, but will also help you get used to the long-winded, albeit worthwhile, process that is creative writing! Got questions about other common literary devices? Then check out our in-depth guide to the 31 most important literary devices you should know.

Working on a story or prepping for the AP Literature test? Learn all about the most important literary elements that make up a story. Thinking about a major in creative writing? Then you'll definitely want to take a look at the top creative writing programs in the country! She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.

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Score on SAT Math. Score on SAT Reading. Score on SAT Writing. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? How to Get a Perfect 4. How to Write an Amazing College Essay. A Comprehensive Guide. Choose Your Test. Simile vs Metaphor: The 1 Big Difference. Examples of Metaphors Below are three examples of famous metaphors.

Examples of Similes Next up, here are some examples of famous similes. Simile Example 1 My dad always wears glasses. Without them, he's as blind as a bat. Simile Example 3 "My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. Phrase Metaphor Simile 1. Poor thing, your hands are as cold as ice! Sia, "Titanium" 7. That girl over there looks a lot like my sister. The word "as" is used to make the comparison, so this example is a simile.

Sia, "Titanium" This line, taken from the chorus of the hit song "Titanium" by David Guetta, describes the speaker as the super-strong metal titanium. Have friends who also need help with test prep?

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