Difference Between Simile and Metaphor
Figurative language is an excellent way to add interest and imagery to your writing. So next time youre struggling to find exactly the right words for a description, try to come up with a simile thats as perfect as a flawless diamond. Similes increase the emotional depth of a poem, especially when the poet is passionate about the topic at hand. Its no surprise that similes have frequently been used to describe romance and falling in love. Robert Burns poem A Red, Red Rose is a great example of conveying emotion through a strong simile: The first version is a metaphor, but its so blunt that it risks seeming clumsy or childish. The second version, a simile, more clearly emphasizes the quality that Dirk shares with snakes: meanness. The impact and description is more pronounced here it stokes the imagination and stirs emotions anyone who has taken a punch to the gut or even seen it played out in movies knows how it hurts. All this leaves an impression.
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things. The hallmark way to spot a simile is by its use of like or as, which sets it apart from a metaphor. Similes are widely used by writers and artists alike to create descriptive content with depth and emotional impact. They can be light-hearted or heavy-hitting, depending on the message. The mark of a strong simile is its ability to draw out an emotion or experience with strong and memorable comparisons and clear purpose. Lets discuss some key points when setting out to write a strong simile with some examples to guide our writing. Essentially, similes are worth commending making descriptions fun, creative, and memorable by drawing comparisons between two seemingly unfamiliar concepts. Whats more, they err to the side of brevity, keeping your writing succinct. While a simile makes comparisons with help from like or as, a metaphor states outright that one thing is another thing. Its important to understand the difference between a metaphor and simile. Metaphor is a figure of speech where we compare two unrelated or different things. These two things must have one thing in common.
Hyphens vs. dashes: know the difference
In simile we use as, so, like, but in metaphor, we do not use
these words. Im not against similes, although theyre less elegant
than their more subtle, no-like/as cousins, the metaphors (her
eyes were stars, he was a fierce lion in battle, the air was dust
in my nostrils). But notice in the examples of similes above, and
many more you can probably think of, that some of the objects
compared make little sense today. Once youve sourced a variety of
similes, draw upon the most impactful ones for inspiration. What
do you like about the way they are organized and the overall
experience they provide for the reader? This type of exercise can
be a useful way to familiarize yourself with the power of a good
simile as you explore a variety of styles, tones, and approaches.
Im bullet proof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down, but I wont fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down, but I wont fall
I am Titanium One more thing: instead of introducing new concepts
or ideas, use a secondary term thats widely known for the
characteristic youre comparing with the primary term. For
example, the intensity of the hell fire is already established.
This way, the comparison is crystal clear right off the bat.
The questions where one has to identify that the given sentence is a simile or a metaphor are the trickiest. Thus, while understanding or going through the examples of simile, it is important to understand the difference between simile and metaphor. Latest understand the difference between the two- Similes are everywhere you look. They are used in songs, poetry, nursery rhymesthe list goes on. Remembering their characteristic use of the words like and as, spend some time looking for examples on websites you visit or in books you read. Take inventory of the similes you see. What makes them strong? What kind of emotions do they bring out in you? Are they memorable? Do they complement the speakers topic well? Similes can be used for a wide variety of descriptions, from romantic and lovely to scary ordangerous. Similes are a common in poetry for their descriptive power. Similes are also common in other creative works, such as speeches, novels, and plays. Because similes are a kind of figurative language, they should not be used in situations in which literal language is needed, such as technical writing. For example, in a laboratory manual, Handle chemicals carefully would be more appropriate than Handle chemicals like a newborn baby.
How do you know some people might not handle newborn babies very carefully? Better to say exactly what you mean! Metaphors are considered to be stronger in nature because they directly cite a comparison between things rather than just indicating that they are similar. On the other hand, similes are majorly used for comparison where the readers are assisted to understand a subtle connection between things. Metaphors are often used in literature and poetry because they help paint a picture for the readers imagination. They have been used throughout history as well as today to help us better understand abstract concepts like love, death, beauty, and courage. Venue comparison is made using connecting words such as like or as the sentence refers to simile. Whereas, whenever a direct relation is established between two things, the sentence is metaphor in nature. You can always resort to using plain language to describe something, but that wont leave a significant impact on your reader. Any writer who wants to write good, knows that leaving an impact on the reader is an essential step to it. As you begin to formulate your own similes, allow Burns style to serve as inspiration. When you choose a topic for your poem, work in similes that bring the reader into the emotion that youre conveying, just as Burns does so seamlessly in this piece.
How to write a simile - When you avoid the cliché similes like the plague, I mean, like mud after a downpour, and choose imaginative ones, you can write effective description, heighten the readers experience, and deepen your theme.
Burns use of floral and melodic imagery brings this sweet piece
to life as readers share in theh authors perspective on love. He
illustrates the soft and soothing aspects of romance through
complementary comparisons that strengthen the emotional effect of
his words. When thou weepst, unkindly kind,
My lifes blood doth decay
When a tear falls,
That thou false which it bore,
Here lies a she-sun and a he-moon there,
All woman shall adore us,
and some men. Choose a description of an object, either something
that fascinates you or from a piece youre working on. To describe
the object, write out all the similes you can think of. Start
with the ones that come easily. Get at least three or four. Youre
purging your system of commonalities. How dead is a
doornail? Why is it deader than a screw or a staple? How does a
log sleep? Does it twitch, snore? How cute is a button? What if
its a button on the jumpsuit of a prisoner? Or the black coat of
a funeral director?