Jason Godfroy

SLM 521 summer 05

Web Dropin 1

Similes and Metaphors

Objective:  Students will be able to explain how similes and metaphors create meaning for readers.

Lesson:  Today you will be reading some poems that have similes and metaphors in them.  Then you will explain how those similes and metaphors help the reader to understand the poem better.  But first you will need to define figurative language and then types of figurative language, similes and metaphors.

ACTIVITY:

Step 1:  Go to the following web sites.  Write down on your worksheet a definition for Figurative Language, Simile, and Metaphor.

        1poe:  this site gives a good definition of all three terms simile, metaphor, and figurative language.  There are also some examples.

        Figurative language definitions:  This page has some definitions of metaphor and simile and some other common types of figurative language. 

        Literary Terms f-r:  This page has links to all kinds of definition of all kinds of literary terms.  Find the definitions for figurative language and metaphor here.  You must click on the link for s-z to find the definition for simile. 

Step 2:  Read the following poems:  Fog, and Metaphor for a Family. 

    A metaphor is when one thing IS something else.  On your worksheet write down what fog IS, and what a family IS.

Step 3:  Read the following poems:  The Gingko and the Willow (note: you must scroll halfway down the page to find it), and simile examples.

    A simile is when one thing is LIKE or AS something else.  On your worksheet write down two things a Gingko is like, two things a Willow is like.  Then, using the second web site, write down one simile comparison. 

Step 4:  Answer the following question using BCR format.  How do similes and metaphors help the reader understand the poem better?  Be sure to include examples from the poems and web sites you have used today.