Figures of Speech
Simile vs. Metaphor Guide
Master figurative language comparisons with confidence.
Direct Comparison
Uses 'Like' or 'As'
What is a Simile?
A simile explicitly compares two fundamentally different things using connecting words "like" or "as".
Examples:
• "He fought like a lion in battle."
• "Her mind is as sharp as a razor."
• "The water was as clear as crystal."
Implied Identity
NO 'Like' or 'As'
What is a Metaphor?
A metaphor asserts that one thing is another thing, creating a profound, poetic transference of qualities without using comparison words.
Examples:
• "All the world's a stage." (Shakespeare)
• "Time is a thief that steals our youth."
• "He has a heart of stone."
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