Poems With Metaphors And Similes - Difference, Examples And Definitions

Similes And Metaphors In Poetry

Do you want to make the descriptions in your writing stronger? Do you want people to connect your words with other experiences in their lives? Using similes or metaphors is a great way to add explanations to your writing. Both similes and metaphors take two concepts and compare them, drawing attention to the power of these concepts.

What are Similes:

Similes compare two concepts with "like" or "as." Generally, the comparison is more obvious when using a simile because "like" or "as" breaks apart the sentence.

Simile Examples

The day was as hot as the sun.
He could swim like a fish.
Her sneeze was as loud as a train whistle.
I felt like a fish out of water.

What are Metaphors:

Metaphors compare two concepts without "like" or "as." Metaphors provide more subtlety to the descriptions; the comparisons are more seamless because there's not a distinct break to insert "like" or "as."

Metaphor Examples

The stars were diamonds in the sky.
Her smile was a ray of sunshine.
He couldn't stand because his legs were rubber.

Sometimes entire poems can be written in the form of a metaphor. For example, someone might compare life to the waves of the sea, which rise and fall. The character of a person could also be compared to objects like a diamond that doesn't bend under pressure. The people in a family might be described as the branches that make up a family tree.

When describing concepts in your writing, ask yourself if your writing will be enhanced by the use of a simile or metaphor.