Saying It Without Saying It

Five ways a writer means more than the words mean.

Name Date
DIRECTIONS: For each sentence, name the kind (see the box) and say what it does.
KindWhat it doesExample
Similesays one thing is LIKE another, using like or asThe classroom was as quiet as a held breath.
Metaphorsays one thing IS another, with no like to soften itBy four o’clock the corridor was a river.
Personificationgives a thing feelings or actions only a living thing hasThe old boiler grumbled all night and refused to settle.
Hyperboleexaggerates so far that nobody could believe it literallyI have told you a thousand times.
Idiommeans something the words themselves never sayShe let the cat out of the bag.
  1. name it and explain it
    The last week of term crawled.
  2. name it and explain it
    His new trainers were so white they hurt to look at.

Saying It Without Saying It

Name it, then say what it does.

  1. name it and explain it
    Her temper was a match: one scrape and it was gone.
  2. name it and explain it
    The wind pushed at the door like something that wanted in.
  3. name it and explain it
    Dad said the new job was a piece of cake.

Now Write Some

Your turn. Aim for the effect, not just the label.

DIRECTIONS: Write one sentence of each kind, then say what you wanted the reader to feel.
  1. write one
    A simile about a crowded bus.
  2. write one
    A metaphor about being new somewhere.
  3. write one
    Some personification about a house that has been empty a long time.
  4. write one
    Some hyperbole about how long a wait felt.