Turning Similes to Metaphors in Sentences – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Third Term)

A simile compares two different things using “as … as” or “like”. A metaphor makes the same comparison by saying that one thing is the other, without “as” or “like”. To turn a simile into a metaphor, remove the comparing words and any describing word that goes with them. Then say the first thing is the second. “Tunde is as sly as a fox” becomes “Tunde is a fox.”

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define a simile and a metaphor;
• identify the words “as … as” and “like” in similes;
• turn similes into metaphors in sentences;
• write their own similes and metaphors.

What is a simile?

A simile compares two different things and uses “as … as” or “like” to do so. It says one thing is similar to another.

• Tunde is as sly as a fox.
• Musa fought like a lion.

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor compares two different things by saying that one is the other. It does not use “as” or “like”. The comparison is more direct than in a simile.

• Tunde is a fox.
• Musa is a lion in the fight.

How do we turn a simile into a metaphor?

1. Find the comparing words (“as … as” or “like”).
2. Find the two things being compared (for example, Tunde and a fox).
3. Remove “as … as” together with the describing word between the two “as” words, or remove “like”.
4. Keep the article (“a”, “an” or “the”) before the second thing if the simile has one.
5. Read the sentence again. It should say that the first thing is the second thing.

Worked examples

In “You are as dark as charcoal”, the words “as dark as” are removed. Charcoal has no article in the simile, so none is added in the metaphor. In “Tunde is as sly as a fox”, the words “as sly as” are removed and “a” stays.

Class activity

Ask each student to write two similes of their own, for example about a classmate, an animal or a place in their community. Then ask them to swap books and turn their partner’s similes into metaphors.

Evaluation

1. Which of these is a metaphor?
   
   A. Ada is as bright as the sun.
   
   B. Ada is the sun.
   
   C. Ada shines like the sun.
2. Rewrite as a metaphor: The baby is as quiet as a mouse.
3. Rewrite as a metaphor: Chidi is as strong as a lion.
4. Rewrite as a metaphor: Her smile is like sunshine.
5. Which word is removed from “Her voice is like honey” to make a metaphor?
   
   A. Her
   
   B. like
   
   C. voice

Answer key

1. B
2. The baby is a mouse.
3. Chidi is a lion.
4. Her smile is sunshine.
5. B

Assignment

Rewrite each simile as a metaphor.

1. Bisi is as busy as a bee.
2. His heart is like stone.
3. Our principal is as wise as an owl.
4. The road was like a river after the rain.

Answer key

1. Bisi is a bee.
2. His heart is stone.
3. Our principal is an owl.
4. The road was a river after the rain.