Metaphor and Simile

Hey everyone, it's Grammar-O Wednesday again. Annette here. Please continue praying for Ocieanna as she regains her strength following a cardiac arrest in early January. She's doing better and really appreciates your prayers.

Last time I filled in for O, we discussed rhetorical devices at large. Today, let’s break down two specific forms—metaphor and simile. These are similar in that they both have to do with comparison. Let’s define them and then practice using them.

Metaphor “compares two different things by speaking of one in terms of the other” (From Virtual Salt’s rhetorical device handbook.) This rhetorical device “asserts that one thing is another thing” not just like something else. Basically, you're making a comparison in order to paint a clear picture for the reader.

Example: “I am the Light of the world.” Jesus speaking in John 8:12, 9:5

Example: "Your baby is an angel."

Simile “is a comparison between two different things that resemble each other…” Similes are often rendered using “like” (for comparing a noun to a noun) or “as” (for comparing verbs or phrases to other verbs or phrases).*

Example: “And he looked up and said, ‘I see men like trees, walking.’” Mark 8:24, NKJV

Example: “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.” Psalm 103:15, NKJV)

Example: "You sing like an angel."

Now, let’s test ourselves, shall we?

___ Metaphor or Simile — Jesus said, “I am the Bread of life.” from John 6:35

___ Metaphor or Simile — Sometimes on hot, summer days I nap like a cat near a sunny window. (notice the alliteration with “s,” as well)

___ Metaphor or Simile — Some drivers crank their music so loud, their cars become stereos on wheels.

___ Metaphor or Simile — “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” ~ Jesus from John 14:6

___ Metaphor or Simile — The sunflower opened toward the sun like a smiling face.


ANSWERS:

M
S
M
M
S

How'd you do? Feel free to add examples in the comments below.

* Definitions adapted from Virtual Salt's rhetorical device handbook. See this link for more information on rhetorical devices.

Rhetorical Devices

Hey everyone, Annette here this Grammar-O Wednesday. Thanks for praying for Ocieanna. Please continue as she recovers from a cardiac arrest in January.

Are we ready to glean some great grammar tools? (Ooooh, I just demonstrated a rhetorical device. Can you name it?) Let's dive into today's topic.

I sat in on a workshop a few years ago and learned about anaphora, a rhetorical device of purposely repeating the same word or phrase. You've no-doubt seen this or used it in your own writing:

She didn’t see how choosing surrender could lead to life. She didn’t see how dying could mean living. She didn’t see how losing herself in Jesus could mean finding herself.

[Note, if you only repeat twice, your editor may wonder if you’re just fond of a specific word (weasel word) and have you find a synonym or rework your sentence.]

The discovery of anaphora led to study of rhetorical devices in general. You may be asking, how are these grammar relevant? Well, grammar is defined as: the study of the way the sentences of a language are constructed, so since rhetorical devices affect sentence structures (they’re really just strategic ways of communicating in writing or speaking), this is a great topic for this Grammar-O Wednesday.

You run into rhetorical devices everywhere. Here are a few examples:

Alliteration: using words with the same initial consonant sound: She slipped swiftly down South Hill (A little overkill, but you get the idea. The use of two words applies, as well. The point is to cause the phrase to remain in the reader’s mind.)

Onomatopoeia: pronunciation of a word demonstrates the sound the word describes: crash, ring, buzz

Personification: to depict inanimate objects as having human traits: The truck sputtered and choked.

Which ones are your favorites? Raise your hand if you know more than twenty. Thirty? I’m guessing we could all use a refresher course on these literary devices we’ve likely seen before but have been unable to name. Why not study rhetorical devices (I’ve included a link below) and begin using more of them in your own writing? Of course, don’t overdo it. But you have to know what they are and how to use them before you can use them accurately. By the way, simile and metaphor are also rhetorical devices.

Here’s a link to a handy guide of sixty rhetorical devices. I like this site because it seems thorough, and they often use Scripture as examples. Yesterday, remember how I spoke of freebies for writers, this link is one of them. *smile*

Challenge of the week: choose a rhetorical device (or two) and include it (them) in your WIP. Enjoy!