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Simile and Metaphor Web Quest

Introduction:

Similes and Metaphors are two types of figurative language that are used in poetry and prose. These devices are found almost anywhere. They can be seen in modern day music, magazines, poetry, advertising, and everywhere in between. These terms are also useful to know for any standardized Communication Arts Exam or English class.

Objectives:

• I will define what a simile and a metaphor are.
• I will show you the dangers of clichés.
• You will transfer this information into the music world and show me some examples of lyrics that contain similes and metaphors.
• You will also find an example in contemporary American or English Literature.
• You will develop a simile or metaphor that represents you.

Procedure Part One:

What are similes and metaphors?

Similes

• A simile is a form of figurative language that is used in poetry and prose.
• It is used to make writing more interesting and unique.
• The phrase uses the word “like” or “as” to relate two things that are not alike.
• They also are developed to compare one quality between the two objects.

Warning:

You have to beware of the cliché. These figures of speech are dangerous, boring, and have the potential to ruin your writing. They are worse than that pop song you hear thirty times a day on the radio. If you have heard it before, it is a cliché. Do not use clichés in your writing. Some symptoms and examples of this dangerous disease include but are not limited to:

American as apple pie.

As clear as mud.

As cold as ice.

As common as dirt.

As delicate as a flower.

As fresh as a daisy.

Like a hot house flower.

Like flies on shit.  

Like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Like nothing on earth. 

Like peaches and cream.

Like there's no tomorrow. 

Like white on rice.

Remember to avoid the cliché. Using a cliché can be hazardous to the health of your grade!

Metaphor:

• The metaphor is a more sophisticated form of figurative language.
• It is used in poetry and prose.
• It is direct and does not use the words “like” or “as”.
• In metaphors concrete objects represent abstract ideas.

Warning:

When dealing with this sophisticated form of writing, one must always use caution. There is a danger of the cliché when dealing with these metaphors. Remember if you have heard it do not use it. Some examples of the metaphors that are clichés are:

captain of industry
drop the curtain on
eye of the storm
glaring example
gravity of the situation
half-baked idea
heralds the advent of
I smell a rat
king of the jungle

nip that behavior in the bud
opens the door to
pave the way for
shattered resolve
shoe's tongue
wolf in sheep's clothing
yellow rose of Texas

Task One:

Similes and metaphors are everywhere. They are in magazine ads, on the television, and in music. At this point I would like you to find song lyrics from many different genres that have a simile or metaphor in the lyrics. Your song lyrics should be appropriate for class and not contain any foul language or other inappropriate content as deemed by the instructor.

1. You should find one song in each of the following genres: country, rock, rap, R & B, and oldies.
2. To receive full credit each entry should include: the genre you are addressing, the artist’s or band name, the C.D. name, the song name, the specific lyrics you are referring to, whether it is a simile or a metaphor, and what web site you viewed to find this information.

An example that would receive full credit is:

Example 1:

Rock (genre type)

Counting Crows (band name)

This Desert Life (CD name underlined!)

“Mrs. Potters Lullaby” (song title in quotes)

“dreams are like movies” (song lyrics in quotes)

Simile

http://www.countingcrows.com/discography/tdl/potters.html

The following web sites will assist you in finding the artists and songs in each of these different genres.

• For general song lyrics listed by artist please visit http://www.lyrics.com, http://lyrics.astraweb.com, or http://www.azlyrics.com.
• For country song lyrics visit http://www.goodwinmusic.com/lyrics.html, http://www.goodwinmusic.com/lyrics.html, or http://www.cowboylyrics.com.
• For rock lyrics see http://www.absolutelyrics.comorhttp://rockwisdom.com/mainpage.htm.
• For rap visit http://www.thesonglyrics.com/menus/rap.html or http://www.thesonglyrics.com/menus/rap.html.
• For R & B see http://www.onlylyrics.com/g_rnb1.php
• For “Oldies” visit http://www.webfitz.com/lyrics/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&catid=3&id=3666.

You may chose to use the general song lyric link for your whole assignment, however, if you are not familiar with some of the genres you may need to visit the other provided links. It is not acceptable to simply copy song lyrics from CD jackets at home. Any attempt to do this will result in a loss of credit. So please remember to include the link where you found the lyrics for each type of song. Since you will be emailing this portion of the assignment to me it will be very easy for me to check the accuracy of your statements by clicking on the links.

This is the exact rubric I will use to determine your grade on this assignment.

This portion of the simile and metaphor unit is worth 16 points.

Task Two:

Since we have made the connection to music I would know like you to find an example of a simile or a metaphor in an American or British Literature. You may wish to focus on your favorite poet, or simply review some authors from the provided links below. For this assignment you should cite the author, the title of the poem, whether it is a simile or metaphor, the lines you are referencing, and the web site where you found the information.

An example for full credit is:

Langston Hughes

“Mother to Son” (poem title in quotes)

Metaphor

“Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.” (line evidence in quotes)

http://www.bu.edu/favoritepoem/poems/hughes/index.html

Some links you may want to view for this task are:

For poems please view:

• http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/59
• http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/59
• You may also wish to visit www.google.com and type in an authors name or the name of their poem. Either way, be sure to cite your source.

Here is the grading rubric for the second task of this unit. This portion is also worth 16 points.

Task Three:

The last step in this unit is to come up with a simile or metaphor that represents you.

• To begin you should take a scrap piece of paper and draw a big circle with your name in it.
• After drawing the circle please list as many characteristics that represent you by drawing a line form the circle and writing the word that represents that characteristic.
• To help with this task consider the following questions:

What do your friends say about you?

What does your family say about you?

What would another community leader say about you?

What hobbies are you involved in?

What is your career goal?

What is important to you?

• After answering all of these questions you should have a fairly large list of characteristics.
• You underline the top ten characteristics that define you.
• Now it is time for the tricky part. You have to imagine an object defines you and explain how that object represents you. Upon completion of this task you should have:

1. Your completed web
2. Your simile or metaphor
3. Five supporting sentences explaining your connection

We will use an oral presentation rubric to grade this portion of the unit. Everyone will present their simile or metaphor in front of the class. At the time of your presentation you should hand in the following items. You may also wish to email the simile or metaphor and supporting sentences.

Task three of this unit is the end event or assessment of this unit. It will be graded with a heavy point value. Your audience behavior will also be a factor in this grade. Remember to show courtesy and be polite to all presenters. This assignment is worth 50 points.

The Wrap Up:

I hope you have had a fun day working on the computers. I also hope you have gained a knowledge of what a simile is and what a metaphor is. Remember, 99% or what we learn in English class can be applied to and is found in the real world. Please email the following assignments to the address shown on your grading rubric. If you chose to attach these items be sure they are typed in Microsoft Word. If you used a Mac computer please cut and paste directly into your email:

1. Your five examples of similes or metaphors in music
2. Your example of a simile or metaphor found in poetry
3. Your individual simile or metaphor that represents you (you may also turn this item in on presentation day)

The End