Starter quiz
- 'A figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'.' is the definition of a ...
- 'simile' ✓
- Which of the following quotations contain a simile?
- "I wandered lonely as a cloud." ✓
- "Bent double, like old beggars under sacks". ✓
- "Juliet is the sun."
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- 'A feeling or idea that is suggested by a word in addition to its basic meaning' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
- 'connotation' ✓
- Which of the following might we say are connotations of the word 'celebrity'?
- attention ✓
- fame ✓
- invisibility
- obscurity
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- 'The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work' is the definition of which of the following?
- exposure
- explanation
- exploitation ✓
- generosity
-
- A spectacle can mean which of the following things?
- a public display or performance ✓
- an object of curiosity or contempt ✓
- a largely ignored object
- a subtle, minimal performance
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Exit quiz
- What is being described here: 'the words, ideas, feelings or concepts we associate with a word or symbol.'?
- connotations ✓
- colloquialisms
- conclusions
- clarifications
-
- 'If a person or thing is under scrutiny, they are being studied or observed very carefully' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
- 'scrutiny' ✓
- 'The action of showing something to be right or reasonable' is the definition of which word beginning with 'j'?
- 'justification' ✓
- Which of the following does Reedy compare her life to in 'My life as a little person'?
- playground
- circus ✓
- fairground
- merri-go-round
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- In 'My life as a little person', Reedy compares her life to a 'circus' - what does this suggest about how Reedy feels?
- that she is a spectacle ✓
- that others see her as entertainment ✓
- that she is able to pass unobserved for the most part
- that she feels lonely in her day to day life
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- Starting with the first, put the steps to creating an effective simile in chronological order.
- 1⇔decide on the idea you want to communicate to the audience
- 2⇔decide on a comparative image
- 3⇔consider what extra details you can add to extend your comparison
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A simile might be useful in non-fiction writing to explain an idea to the reader.
- Reedy's use of similes highlights the level of scrutiny and unwanted attention she endures.
- To create a simile, we might start with deciding on what idea we want to communicate.
- Then we might decide on a comparative image which has connotations that match our idea.
- Finally, we might add extra details to enhance the reader’s understanding.
Common misconception
Figurative language such as similes belongs in fictional writing rather than non-fiction.
Non-fiction writing is all about informing, persuading or educating the reader and therefore similes can be a very useful device to explain ideas to the reader.
Keywords
Simile - a figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'
Connotations - a feeling or idea that is suggested by a word in addition to its basic meaning
Paparazzi - a freelance photographer who pursues celebrities to get photographs of them
Scrutiny - if a person or thing is under scrutiny, they are being studied or observed very carefully
Justification - the action of showing something to be right or reasonable
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