Simile, Metaphor, and Personification

Literary devices are the tools that writers use to make their language vivid, engaging, and memorable. In the SET Stage 1, you may be asked to identify literary devices in a comprehension passage or to explain their effect. In Stage 2, using these devices in your own writing will make it stand out and earn higher marks. This lesson covers three of the most important devices: simile, metaphor, and personification.

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Simile

A simile compares one thing to another using the words "like" or "as".

Examples

• "Her eyes sparkled like diamonds."
• "The soldier stood as still as a statue."
• "The fog crept in like a thief in the night."

Why Writers Use Similes

Similes help the reader picture what is being described by comparing it to something familiar. They make descriptions more vivid and interesting.

How to Talk About Similes in the SET

When explaining a simile in the Stage 1 comprehension, always say what is being compared to what and what effect it creates:

Example question: "What does the simile 'Her smile was like sunshine' suggest?"