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A simile is a figure of speech that uses the words “like” or “as.” A simile usually compares two quite different things in a way that helps the reader form a mental picture. Here are some examples:
In these examples, the writer compares Karl’s bed to a cloud and Alina’s sense of buoyancy to the lightness of a feather. The effect on the reader is a clear mental image of comfort or relief.
Professional writers often use similes. Here are some examples from Canadian authors and poets:
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