UK K12 GCSE/A-Level: Year 5 KS2 English - Literary Devices, Simile Metaphor Personification

Learning objectives

By the end of this topic, students will be able to:

• Define and identify similes, metaphors, and personification in poetry and prose
• Explain the effects of these literary devices on the reader
• Use similes, metaphors, and personification in their own writing to create vivid descriptions and convey meaning
• Analyze the use of similes, metaphors, and personification in a range of texts to understand the author's intentions and the impact on the reader

Core concepts

Simile

A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'. It helps the reader to understand a concept or image by making a connection between two things. For example, 'He ran like a cheetah' or 'She sings as sweetly as a bird'. Similes are often used to create vivid and memorable descriptions.

Metaphor

A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. It states that one thing is another thing. For example, 'He is a lion on the battlefield' or 'Life is a journey'. Metaphors are often used to create powerful and evocative language.

Personification

Personification is when an inanimate object or an animal is given human-like qualities or actions. For example, 'The sun smiled down on us' or 'The wind whispered through the trees'. Personification helps the reader to see the world in a new and imaginative way.

Worked examples

Example 1: Simile

Read the following sentence: 'The fire crackled like a thousand tiny drums.'

• What literary device is used in this sentence?
• What effect does it have on the reader?
• Can you think of a time when you heard a similar sound?

Example 2: Metaphor

Read the following sentence: 'She is a shining star on the stage.'

• What literary device is used in this sentence?
• What effect does it have on the reader?
• Can you think of a time when someone made you feel like a star?

Example 3: Personification

Read the following sentence: 'The wind howled in anger, its icy breath biting at our faces.'

• What literary device is used in this sentence?
• What effect does it have on the reader?
• Can you think of a time when you felt the wind was 'angry'?

Common misconceptions

• Some students may think that similes and metaphors are the same thing. However, similes use 'like' or 'as', while metaphors state that one thing is another thing.
• Some students may think that personification is only used to describe animals. However, it can be used to describe any inanimate object or animal.
• Some students may think that literary devices are only used in poetry. However, they can be used in any type of writing, including prose and drama.

Exam tips

• Make sure you can define and identify similes, metaphors, and personification.
• Practice using these literary devices in your own writing.
• When analyzing a text, look for examples of similes, metaphors, and personification and explain their effects on the reader.
• Use evidence from the text to support your answers.

MCQs

MCQ 1: [F]

What is the literary device used in the following sentence: 'The city is a jungle'?

A) Simile B) Metaphor C) Personification D) Hyperbole

Correct answer: B) Metaphor Why the distractors fail: A) Simile uses 'like' or 'as', while this sentence states that the city is a jungle. C) Personification gives human-like qualities to an inanimate object, while this sentence is a comparison between two things. D) Hyperbole is an exaggeration, while this sentence is a comparison.

MCQ 2: [H]

What is the effect of the following simile: 'The fire crackled like a thousand tiny drums'?

A) It creates a sense of calm B) It creates a sense of excitement C) It creates a sense of danger D) It creates a sense of boredom

Correct answer: B) It creates a sense of excitement Why the distractors fail: A) The sound of drums is often associated with excitement, not calm. C) The sound of drums is not typically associated with danger. D) The sound of drums is not typically associated with boredom.

MCQ 3: [F]

What is the literary device used in the following sentence: 'The sun smiled down on us'?

A) Simile B) Metaphor C) Personification D) Alliteration

Correct answer: C) Personification Why the distractors fail: A) Simile uses 'like' or 'as', while this sentence gives the sun human-like qualities. B) Metaphor states that one thing is another thing, while this sentence gives the sun human-like qualities. D) Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds, while this sentence gives the sun human-like qualities.

MCQ 4: [H]

What is the effect of the following metaphor: 'She is a shining star on the stage'?

A) It creates a sense of sadness B) It creates a sense of excitement C) It creates a sense of confidence D) It creates a sense of fear

Correct answer: C) It creates a sense of confidence Why the distractors fail: A) The metaphor does not suggest sadness. B) While the metaphor may create some excitement, it primarily creates a sense of confidence. D) The metaphor does not suggest fear.

MCQ 5: [F]

What is the literary device used in the following sentence: 'The wind howled in anger'?

A) Simile B) Metaphor C) Personification D) Imagery

Correct answer: C) Personification Why the distractors fail: A) Simile uses 'like' or 'as', while this sentence gives the wind human-like qualities. B) Metaphor states that one thing is another thing, while this sentence gives the wind human-like qualities. D) Imagery is the use of language to create vivid descriptions, while this sentence gives the wind human-like qualities.

Short-answer questions

1. Define and identify a simile in the following sentence: 'The fire crackled like a thousand tiny drums.'
2. Explain the effect of the following metaphor: 'She is a shining star on the stage.'
3. Analyze the use of personification in the following sentence: 'The wind howled in anger, its icy breath biting at our faces.'
4. Use a simile to describe a memory from your childhood.
5. Use a metaphor to describe a place you have visited.