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A metaphor is a word or a phrase used to describe something as if it were something else.

For example:

• A wave of terror washed over him.

The terror isn't actually a wave, but a wave is a good way of describing the feeling.

• Jess is dynamite.

She's not made of dynamite, but it's a way to explain how exciting she is.

A simile describes something by comparing it to something else using like or as:

• The snake moved like a ripple on a pond.
• It was as green as a lizard.
• Jess is as graceful as a gazelle.

Try using metaphors and similes to make your own poetry or other writing more descriptive and interesting.

Now watch the following clip of a man describing his encounter with the Loch Ness monster.

See if you can spot any similes or metaphors.

Did you spot these similes?

• The sun was 'like a giant egg yolk'.

• The creature was 'as big as an oil tanker'.

How about this metaphor?

• The water 'foamed and boiled'.

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Think: Did you prefer listening to the man's version of the story or the policeman's version? Can you explain why?

Some similes are used a lot, like 'as cool as a cucumber' or 'as busy as a bee'.

Here are the start of some similes but they have not been finished. Write them out on paper, adding in the endings. You need to finish each simile so it makes sense.

For example: 'As sad as a child on Christmas Day' doesn't make sense as children are usually happy on Christmas day.

Instead you could say, 'As sad as a child who has dropped their ice cream'.

1. As happy as …

2. As busy as …

3. As quick as …

4. As tall as …

5. As lazy as …

6. As hungry as …