How to Write a Simile
Simile may be used for any kind of description. In order to do so . . .
- Think of one thing and what you want to say about it; do you want to say that something is big, boring, beautiful, or is it some quality you don’t have an adjective for?
- Think of a second thing that shows the same or similar characteristic.
- Combine by saying that the first thing is “like” the second thing. Or, if you are really focusing on a certain property you say the first thing is as whatever as the second thing—as fast, as ugly, or as smart for example.
Example 1
Consider describing a tall boy.
Thing and characteristic:
Tall boy
Comparable thing:
Giraffe
Sentence using Simile:
That boy is as tall as a giraffe!
Note that the boy is probably not actually as tall as a giraffe; similes are not literal, so they don’t have to be accurate. We know that it just means he’s really tall.
Example 2
For another example, consider a girl who is very sweet.
Thing and characteristic:
Sweet girl
Comparable thing:
Cherry pie
Sentence using Simile:
That girl is as sweet as cherry pie!
Comparing a girl to a cherry pie is sure to emphasize her sweet nature, as most audiences can imagine the sweetness of a cherry pie.
When to Use Similes
Similes can be used for a wide variety of descriptions, from romantic and lovely to scary or dangerous. Similes are a common in poetry for their descriptive power. Similes are also common in other creative works, such as speeches, novels, and plays. Because similes are a kind of figurative language, they should not be used in situations in which literal language is needed, such as technical writing. For example, in a laboratory manual, “Handle chemicals carefully” would be more appropriate than “Handle chemicals like a newborn baby.” How do you know some people might not handle newborn babies very carefully? Better to say exactly what you mean!