Similes and Analogies Phil Grey West Cheshire College September 2014

1. Using Similes and Analogies
Phil Grey

2. Analology
Analogy- from the Greek ‘analolgia’
(meaning right relationship)
When you draw an analogy between
two things, you compare them for
the purpose of explanation.

3. Common Analogies
 The relationship between them began
to thaw. (This means that the
relationship was changing.)
 I feel like a fish out of water. (This
implies that you are not comfortable in
your surroundings.)

4. Explain this one
 Her singing was like nails on a
chalkboard.

5. Over to you…….
 He had a face on him like a wet
weekend.
 He was as welcome as a bacon
sandwich at a Bar Mitzvah.
 She had a face like a bag of
spanners.

6. Simile and Metaphor
 A simile is a figure of speech that
compares two things by using
connecting words such as like, or
as. Similes are similar to metaphors
in that they are both forms of
comparison, but similes compare
the two ideas whilst they remain
separate, whereas a metaphor
compares two things directly e.g.
”He is my rock”.

7. Similes
A figure of speech in which two
unlike things are explicitly
compared.
“My love is like a red, red rose”
Comparison / Likeness

8. So what?
 Analogies can be useful in learning
because all learning happens
through connection.
 We make sense of new information
by forging connections/making
comparisons to something we
already know.

9. Comparing
 Comparing is the process of
identifying similarities and differences
between or among things or ideas.
 This can be used in any subject area
at any level .

10. Identifying Similarities and
Differences
The ability to break a
concept into
similar and dissimilar
characteristics allows
the student to
understand and solve
complex problems by
analysing them in a
more familiar way.

11. How can this be useful in teaching?
Biology, for
example

12. The 4 Components of blood and
their roles.

13. Analogy: Blood Composition and
Football Roles

14. Team Roles
Defender
Stops attack from an opponent
 Attacker
Life/oxygen of the side
 Wall
Clump together to form a barrier

15. Analogy
Blood component Role Football Role
White blood cells : An important part of
the immune system,
they produce
antibodies and destroy
harmful
microorganisms
Defender
Red blood cell Contain haemoglobin
which carries oxygen
Attacker
Platelets Clump together to
form clots
Protect the body by
stopping bleeding
Wall
Plasma Fluid part of blood

16. You left out PLASMA!
Everyone knows that after going the
match to watch your favourite team
on Saturday you have to go home
so you can watch it on the big
screen with plenty of fluid to
lubricate the old throat…….
PLASMA!!!!!!!

17. Two Main Types of Analogy
 Teacher directed - examples given
 Student directed- challenge and
draw on knowledge of the individual

18. Five sub headings to help you
 Subject
 Theme/topic
 Objective
 Target group
 Analogy

19. Analogy may help you to
make……..