Similes

Ellipses       Metaphors       Writing to a Brief

A simile is very similar to a metaphor.

Both a simile and a metaphor describe a subject as something other than itself, but there is one major difference.

A metaphor directly states that the subject being described is the same as something else.  Eg: She has a heart of gold.

A simile however states that the subject being described is only similar to its descriptive attributes.  Eg: Her heart is like gold.

Metaphor:  He is a wolf.  (describing a predatory male)
Simile:  He is like a wolf.

Metaphor:  His voice was full of thunder.
Simile:  His voice sounded similar to thunder.