Teaching students about metaphor use like or as is an essential part of language arts education. Metaphors are figurative expressions in which an object or concept is compared to something else in a way that is not meant to be taken literally. In the English language, metaphors are often used to add depth and complexity to writing, but they can be difficult for students to grasp without proper instruction.
Metaphors are commonly confused with similes, which use the words “like” or “as” to make a comparison between two things. For example, the first line of William Carlos Williams’ poem “The Red Wheelbarrow” uses a simile:
“So much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.”
In this case, the wheelbarrow is described as being “glazed with rain water” like a piece of pottery. A metaphor, on the other hand, would simply say that the wheelbarrow is a piece of pottery, without using “like” or “as” to soften the comparison.
To teach students about whether a metaphor uses like or as, begin by defining the concept of metaphor and explaining that it is used to compare something to something else. Then, show examples of metaphors and similes side by side to help students understand the difference between the two.
Once students have a basic understanding of metaphors, it’s important to model how to create them. Give students a list of objects or concepts and ask them to come up with comparisons for each one. Encourage them to think creatively and try to make unexpected comparisons that will make their writing more interesting.
It’s also helpful to have students practice identifying metaphors in literature and in their own writing. Ask them to look for figurative language in poems or stories and explain the comparisons that are being made. In their own writing, encourage students to experiment with using metaphors to add depth and complexity to their descriptions.
