Figures of Speech

SIMILE -- Simile Definition

Asimile is one kind of figurative language. It makes a
comparison of two unlike things using the words like or
as.

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two
different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of the words
like or as. Therefore, it is a direct comparison.

We can find simile examples in our daily speech. We often hear comments like John is as
slow as a snail. Snails are notorious for their slow pace and here the slowness of John is
compared to that of a snail. The use of as in the example helps to draw the
resemblance. Some more examples of common similes are given below.

Common Examples of Simile

Our soldiers are as brave as lions.

Her cheeks are red like a rose.
He is as funny as a monkey.
The water well was as dry as a bone.
He is as cunning as a fox.

Metaphor Definition
A metaphor is one kind of figurative language. It makes a
direct comparison of two unlike things.

Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or

hidden comparison between two things or objects that are poles apart from each other but
have some characteristics common between them. In other words, a resemblance of two
contradictory or different objects is made based on a single or some common
characteristics.
In simple English, when you portray a person, place, thing, or an action
as being something else, even though it is not actually that something else, you are
speaking metaphorically. He is the black sheep of the family is a metaphor because he is
not a sheep and is not even black. However, we can use this comparison to describe an
association of a black sheep with that person. A black sheep is an unusual animal and
typically stays away from the herd, and the person you are describing shares similar
characteristics.

Furthermore, a metaphor develops a comparison which is different from a simile i.e. we do

not use like or as to develop a comparison in a metaphor. It actually makes an implicit
or hidden comparison and not an explicit one.

Common Speech Examples of Metaphors

Most of us think of a metaphor as a device used in songs or poems only, and that it has
nothing to do with our everyday life. In fact, all of us in our routine life speak, write and
think in metaphors. We cannot avoid them. Metaphors are sometimes constructed through
our common language. They are called conventional metaphors. Calling a person a night
owl or an early bird or saying life is a journey are common conventional metaphor
examples commonly heard and understood by most of us. Below are some more
conventional metaphors we often hear in our daily life:

My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was too angry.)

The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)
It is going to be clear skies from now on. (This implies that clear skies are not a
threat and life is going to be without hardships)
The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness is a threat; therefore, this
implies that the coming times are going to be hard for him.)
Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy)

Personification Definition
Personification is giving human traits to something not
human. Personification is the attributing of human
characteristics, thoughts or emotions to something that is
non-human.

Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human

attributes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the
ability to act like human beings. For example, when we say, The sky weeps we are
giving the sky the ability to cry, which is a human quality. Thus, we can say that the sky
has been personified in the given sentence.

Common Examples of Personification

Look at my car. She is a beauty, isnt it so?

The wind whispered through dry grass.
The flowers danced in the gentle breeze.
Time and tide waits for none.
The fire swallowed the entire forest.
Do you ever feel
Like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel

Feel so paper-thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel

Already buried deep
Six feet under
Screams but no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's

Still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta

Ignite the light

And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

'Cause baby, you're a firework

Come on show them what you're worth
Make them go, "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst
Make them go, "Oh, oh, oh"
You're gonna leave them all in awe

You don't have to feel

Like a waste of space
You're original
Cannot be replaced

If you only knew

What the future holds
After a hurricane
Comes a rainbow

Maybe the reason why

All the doors are closed
So you could open one
That leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt

Your heart will glow
And when it's time you know
You just gotta

Ignite the light

And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

'Cause baby, you're a firework

Come on show them what you're worth
Make them go, "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst
Make them go, "Oh, oh, oh"
You're gonna leave them all in awe

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

'Cause baby, you're a firework

Come on show them what you're worth
Make them go, "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on let your colors burst
Make them go, "Oh, oh, oh"
You're gonna leave them all in awe

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Read more: Katy Perry - Firework Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Read more: Katy Perry - Firework Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Read more: Katy Perry - Firework Lyrics | MetroLyrics