How to Craft a Great Metaphor or Simile

Metaphors and similes can both be wonderful tools in poetry and prose. They enable the author to illustrate a point and also play around with language. Some very fine non-fiction writers also use metaphors and similes to help the reader understand the concept. For instance, in David Allen’s seminal book Getting Things Done uses the simile of a “mind like water” to illustrate how to properly react in any given situation.

It can certainly be fun to develop a new metaphor or simile. There are endless possibilities of combinations that you can use. It is well worth playing with possibilities and trying out new ideas. I have included some suggestions and ideas for crafting your own metaphors and similes.

Some tips to writing a great metaphor or simile

1. Keep it simple. Our minds naturally accept associations, which makes a metaphor or simile a great tool. However, we lose interest and become bored when the connection is too complicated. It is best to keep it simple enough so that the reader does not get confused. If it is frustrating to write, it will tire your reader.
2. Keep it clear. Carl Sandburg wrote a wonderful metaphor in his poem “Fog” (“The fog comes / on little cat feet”). His metaphor is wonderful because it is clear. It is easy to imagine a fog creeping over the city much in the same way that a cat creeps up on mouse. It is simple and clear, like all great metaphors should be.
3. Be consistent. The connection, while simple and clear, must remain on the two connected ideas. If you write a simile about how the moon is like a frog, you cannot suddenly start talking about how it is like a mouse. This will not only confuse your readers, but will also leave you with two dead similes. However, if you follow the original simile to its natural conclusion, you will have created a delightful simile and a happy reader.
4. Be playful. The moon may be like a frog, but is it like anything else? Is it like a snake eating an egg? Or a skiing nun? As long as you relay the comparison clearly, it is best to have fun with it. Find something that catches attention and piques the reader’s interest.
5. Be original. I have never read about how the moon is like a skiing nun, but the originality of that idea makes me want to. Nothing makes me want to stop reading a poem quite like a cliche or an overused metaphor. What is a metaphor that you have never heard of before that you would like to try? Try something new that will make your metaphor or simile stand out.

Try writing some new metaphors and similes. Writing only a paragraph as a simple writing exercise can help you form other ideas. Try your hand at a few, then share your own metaphors and similes with the community in the comments.