“Similes and Metaphors Delight Readers” by Joan Y. Edwards

Why do writers use similes and metaphors? I believe it’s because similes and metaphors delight readers. Adding these kind of comparisons to your writing, gives readers a chance to see things through your eyes. They visualize your characters, settings, and other things in a different way. It makes your writing fascinating!

What is a simile?

A simile is a figure of speech comparing one thing with a different thing to make a description more emphatic or vivid, using the words like or as.

David is like an eagle when it comes to finding his “nest.” He lives on the  hundredth floor of the John Hancock building.

Trevor is as fast as a jet and uses less fuel.

Here’s a simile from Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor by R.D. Blackmore:

“. . . and snow lay here and there in patches in the hollow of the banks, like a lady’s gloves forgotten.”

Here’s a simile Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White:

“Everything on the farm was dripping wet. The grass looked like a magic carpet. The asparagus patch looked like a silver forest.”

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech that says a person, place, or thing is something else which means that the two people, places, or things objects have similar features or qualities.

Janet is an eagle flying above the competition in her home town.

A metaphor from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott compares Beth to a cricket:

“There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”

A metaphor from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  by J.K. Rowling:

Don’t talk to me.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to fix that in my memory for ever. Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret…”

A metaphor from the book, Forest Gump by Winston Groom. made into a film.

Forrest Gump speaking;

“My momma said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.'”

Look at your own writing. I know you have oodles of wonderful similes and metaphors there. You probably wrote them without thinking about them. You could have searched your mind diligently and for a long time to find the perfect great comparison to use.  I know you’ll find them.

Use search and find the words: like, as, and is as clues to help you find similes and metaphors easier. If you’re using Kindle or another E-book reading device, you can use search to find similes and metaphors that your favorite authors use.

Resources

Reading Worksheets. Simile and Metaphor Worksheets: https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/figurative-language-worksheets/simile-and-metaphor-worksheets/

Simile and Metaphors Worksheet: http://wrtstuff.weebly.com/uploads/5/8/2/8/5828083/similes-or-metaphors.pdf

Mark Nichol. “20 Great Similes from Literature to Inspire You:” https://www.dailywritingtips.com/20-great-similes-from-literature-to-inspire-you/

“Popular Similes in Books:” https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/similes

Brian DeBoyace. “Similes in Movies:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syv4x-09luY

Enjoy your writing. It’s a gift!
Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

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Joan Y. Edwards, Author
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Joan Y. Edwards
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