Title: Understanding Metaphors and Similes
Course: Reading Summer School

Metaphors are one way authors communicate their message about topics quickly. Metaphors are comparisons between two ideas that, at first glance, appear different but have something in common. Metaphors do not use "like" or "as" in the comparison.

Love is a Rose. Love and a rose are alike because both are fragile and beautiful. They need to be handled with care.

Life is a journey not a destination. This metaphor means that daily life should be enjoyed rather than rushed through to compete task after task.

Authors use metaphors because they convey a large amount of understanding in a few words.

Similes are also comparisons that authors use to convey their ideas. Generally, similes compare two things that are alike in at least one way. The key is that a simile uses "like", "as", or "than" in the comparison.

He is as fast as a speeding bullet. This simile compares a runner to a speeding bullet. From the comparison we know that the runner is unusually fast.

She kicks like a mule. This simile compares a girl to a mule in that both kick very hard.

There are several practice exercises in the next few on-line tasks. Work through as many as you need to understand metaphors and similes. Don't spend too much time on this topic, as it is not a high point topic on the graduation reading test.