Page 102 - Improve_Your_Written_English [Marion_Field]

88 / P ART ONE: THE B AS ICS

Creating similes
The last two examples were similes. These are comparisons
between two things using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’, Many
clichés are similes and they are often very vivid. However,
they are not original and you should avoid them. It is much
better to create your own ‘images’ so that your reader will be
struck by the originality of your writing. If you want to
create a simile using a colour, try to think of something
unusual which is that colour. The face of someone who is
seasick might be said to be ‘as green as grass’ but ‘as green as
the mould at the bottom of an unwashed milk bottle’ is far
more original if not very pleasant.

‘My legs felt like jelly’ is not original although it is apt. The
following suggests the same feeling but is more vivid because
it is original:

My legs felt like spaghetti that had just been dipped into
boiling water.

Producing metaphors
Metaphors are also comparisons but they are ‘implied’ and
do not use ‘like’ or ‘as’. We use metaphorical language a
great deal in everyday speech. It is language that is not
literally true but cannot be classified as a lie as everyone
knows what is meant. Look at the following examples:

I’m starving.

He says he’s freezing.

She’s dying of thirst.