"The moon was a silver coin." This is…

A metaphor. It says the moon IS a coin, with no like or as.

"The leaves danced across the playground." This is…

Personification. Dancing is a human action given to leaves.

"He ran as fast as a cheetah." This is…

A simile. It compares using as.

11+ Comprehension · Topic explained

Figurative language

Can the wind really howl?

The big idea

Figurative language compares things, or makes them seem human, to paint a picture in your mind.

Picture it

Like a filter on a photo: the same scene, but with much more feeling.

Key words

Simile: Compares using "like" or "as".
Metaphor: Says something IS something else.
Personification: Gives human actions or feelings to something that isn't human.
Effect: The picture or feeling it creates for the reader.

Worked examples

1Warm-up
"Her hands were as cold as ice."
- Uses as: a simile.
- Effect: her hands are freezing.
211+ standard
"After lunch, the classroom was a zoo."
- Not really a zoo: a metaphor.
- Effect: noisy, wild, out of control.
311+ standard
"The old car coughed and spluttered up the hill."
- Cars can't cough: personification.
- Effect: the car sounds tired and ill.
411+ standard
"Fear was a cold hand on the back of his neck."
- A metaphor.
- Effect: fear feels physical and creepy, as if someone is behind him.

The common mistake

The mistake

Naming the technique is enough: "It's a simile."

Instead

Name it, then explain the effect: what picture or feeling it creates.

Why: Most marks are for the effect, not the label.

Where it comes up in the 11+

"Find a simile", "What does this phrase suggest?", "Explain the effect of…"

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains figurative language step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable