Lesson 2 -- Writing Poetry with Simile
In this lesson the student will be introduced to the use of Figurative Language in poetry writing. Figurative language is a poetic technique using figures of speech, especially metaphor, which is a comparison of two separate things. It is a word or phrase used in a nonliteral sense to add rhetorical force of artistic effect and persuasion to a spoken or written passage. There are many types of figurative language. In this lesson, we are covering a type of figurative language called simile. Simile is the comparison of two different things in a direct way, often using the words 'as' or 'like'. For this lesson we will learn about the poetic technique of figurative language called Simile.
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Simile is the comparison of two unlike things. This is often done by using the words 'like' or 'as'. As one gets more skilled at using this technique, simile can be woven throughout a poem in juxtaposition without using the words 'as' or 'like'. It then becomes metaphor, which is a Juxtaposition of two separate subjects or ideas written side by side as a comparison or contrast.
"He eats like a pig." "Vines like golden prisons." "She is hungry as a horse." "The winter day was warm as spring-time." Some of these are clichés and I encourage my students to think of creative new ways to express old, over-used adages. For example; eats like a pig can be said in a different, new way like; He sucks in food like a vacuum cleaner. There are endless ways that one can come up with new words for old expressions.
Poetry is, first of all, a communication - a thought or message conveyed by the writer to the reader. Poetry not only creates a vision of what the poet wishes to show, but shares that vision with the reader. It is an interactive art that brings the poet and his/her reader together. To help the reader understand what the poet is sharing, it is important to understand how the poet writes. The poetic and figurative language that he/she will use can give new meaning and make the reader draw certain comparisons between thoughts, ideas, and things that they would not normally see.
Comparison is one of the simplest and most recognizable ways of sharing ideas and thoughts. It is also a very effective way to give new meaning and understanding to the mundane. In poetry, one of the basic uses of comparison is through simile. Simile is the comparison of two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.
Examples of Simile;
"fresh as a daisy," "tough as leather," "comfortable as an old shoe," "it fits like the Paper on the wall," "gay as a lark," "happy as the day is long, pretty as a picture." These are all recognizable similes; they use the words "as" or "like." These are also clichés -- overly used similes, and it is always nice to take old adages and come up with a fresh, new way of expressing them. For example; 'comfortable as an old shoe' could be 'comfortable as an old pair of jeans.'
The difference between simile and metaphor is a very fine technical one. While simile uses 'as' or 'like' in comparing two things, metaphor is direct in stating the comparison as it is through replacing the compared object or idea with the 'simile' not using 'as' or 'like' in the comparing. In fact, we often use metaphor in our writing probably without even realizing it. It is a figure of speech containing an implied comparison. For example, 'A curtain of darkness came over me' could imply through the use of metaphor that one is falling asleep or unconscious.
Assignment 2
Write a 6-12 line poem in any style that uses simile. If you go over the line limit a bit, it's okay. Keep the imagery consistent and clear for your reader (and the poor teacher!). Make sure that you use two clear examples of simile in your poem using the words 'as' or 'like' as discussed in the lesson. Try to write in the present tense and incorporate at least one concrete of the senses in addition to imagery and metaphor, which was covered in the previous assignment. It is expected that students carry over what they have learned in previous lessons to the next. Please state what you have used as simile after the poem. Thanks!
CHECKLIST -- 1. Is your poem 6 - 12 lines long? A little over is fine but the minimum should be 6 lines. 2. Is it written in the present tense? 3. Are there two clear examples of simile, using 'as' or 'like' for comparison. 4. Is there at least one concrete use of the senses in addition to imagery and metaphor? 5. Have you listed the two examples of simile used in your poem at the end of the assignment? 6. Are the line lengths and breaks appropriate and not too long? Don't forget to save all your work!
As always you may post or send your poem to me for a positive, honest critique if you wish. Don't forget to upvote if you find this lesson useful!
(c) 2018 by Karen Eisenlord
Photograph is by me