Function of Simile: Short Fiction - AP English Literature and Composition
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What is a simile, as a figure of speech, in literary analysis?
What is a simile, as a figure of speech, in literary analysis?
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A comparison using "like" or "as" between unlike things. Distinguishes similes from metaphors by their explicit comparison markers.
A comparison using "like" or "as" between unlike things. Distinguishes similes from metaphors by their explicit comparison markers.
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Which words most often signal that a comparison is a simile rather than a metaphor?
Which words most often signal that a comparison is a simile rather than a metaphor?
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"Like" or "as". These comparison words are the defining markers of similes.
"Like" or "as". These comparison words are the defining markers of similes.
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What is the key distinction between a simile and a metaphor?
What is the key distinction between a simile and a metaphor?
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Simile uses "like/as"; metaphor asserts identity without them. Metaphors claim direct equivalence ("is"), similes compare ("like/as").
Simile uses "like/as"; metaphor asserts identity without them. Metaphors claim direct equivalence ("is"), similes compare ("like/as").
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What function does a simile often serve when it compares something abstract to something physical?
What function does a simile often serve when it compares something abstract to something physical?
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It makes the abstract concept concrete and imaginable. Helps readers grasp intangible ideas through physical experience.
It makes the abstract concept concrete and imaginable. Helps readers grasp intangible ideas through physical experience.
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What function does an unexpected simile often have in short fiction?
What function does an unexpected simile often have in short fiction?
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It reveals character perspective through distinctive imagery. Shows how characters uniquely perceive their world.
It reveals character perspective through distinctive imagery. Shows how characters uniquely perceive their world.
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Identify the function of the simile: "She clung to hope as a castaway clings to driftwood."
Identify the function of the simile: "She clung to hope as a castaway clings to driftwood."
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To emphasize desperation and dependence on hope. The castaway image intensifies the life-or-death quality of hope.
To emphasize desperation and dependence on hope. The castaway image intensifies the life-or-death quality of hope.
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Identify the simile in the sentence: "The street, like a river, carried noise downhill."
Identify the simile in the sentence: "The street, like a river, carried noise downhill."
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"The street, like a river, carried noise downhill". The comparison phrase includes both marker and complete comparison.
"The street, like a river, carried noise downhill". The comparison phrase includes both marker and complete comparison.
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Identify the primary function: "The city hummed like a beehive."
Identify the primary function: "The city hummed like a beehive."
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Setting imagery: it conveys crowded, busy, collective activity. "Beehive" creates a vivid image of urban energy.
Setting imagery: it conveys crowded, busy, collective activity. "Beehive" creates a vivid image of urban energy.
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In "Anger flared like a match," what is the vehicle of the simile?
In "Anger flared like a match," what is the vehicle of the simile?
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A match. "Anger" is tenor; "match" is the vehicle (comparison image).
A match. "Anger" is tenor; "match" is the vehicle (comparison image).
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Identify the primary function: "After the verdict, relief spread like sunlight."
Identify the primary function: "After the verdict, relief spread like sunlight."
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Mood: it conveys warmth and broad, sudden emotional release. "Sunlight" suggests positive, expansive feelings.
Mood: it conveys warmth and broad, sudden emotional release. "Sunlight" suggests positive, expansive feelings.
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What is the term for the thing being described in a simile?
What is the term for the thing being described in a simile?
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The tenor (the subject being compared). Literary term for the main subject in a comparison.
The tenor (the subject being compared). Literary term for the main subject in a comparison.
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What is the term for the image used to compare to the subject in a simile?
What is the term for the image used to compare to the subject in a simile?
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The vehicle (the comparison image). Literary term for what the tenor is compared to.
The vehicle (the comparison image). Literary term for what the tenor is compared to.
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What is the most accurate way to explain a simile’s function in a thesis statement?
What is the most accurate way to explain a simile’s function in a thesis statement?
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State the effect (tone/character/theme) created by the comparison. Focus on literary impact rather than just identifying the device.
State the effect (tone/character/theme) created by the comparison. Focus on literary impact rather than just identifying the device.
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Identify the figure of speech: "Her voice was silk."
Identify the figure of speech: "Her voice was silk."
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Metaphor. Direct equivalence ("was") without comparison words.
Metaphor. Direct equivalence ("was") without comparison words.
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What is the most common function of a simile in prose fiction?
What is the most common function of a simile in prose fiction?
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To clarify meaning by making a vivid comparison. Similes make abstract concepts concrete and memorable.
To clarify meaning by making a vivid comparison. Similes make abstract concepts concrete and memorable.
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Identify the figure of speech: "Her voice was like silk."
Identify the figure of speech: "Her voice was like silk."
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Simile. Contains "like," making it an explicit comparison.
Simile. Contains "like," making it an explicit comparison.
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What function of a simile most directly develops characterization?
What function of a simile most directly develops characterization?
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It reveals a speaker’s perceptions, values, or emotional state. Characters' chosen comparisons reflect their worldview and feelings.
It reveals a speaker’s perceptions, values, or emotional state. Characters' chosen comparisons reflect their worldview and feelings.
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What function of a simile most directly establishes tone?
What function of a simile most directly establishes tone?
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It shapes attitude through the connotations of the comparison. The vehicle's associations create emotional atmosphere.
It shapes attitude through the connotations of the comparison. The vehicle's associations create emotional atmosphere.
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What function of a simile most directly supports theme?
What function of a simile most directly supports theme?
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It reinforces an abstract claim by recurring or emblematic comparison. Repeated or symbolic comparisons underscore central ideas.
It reinforces an abstract claim by recurring or emblematic comparison. Repeated or symbolic comparisons underscore central ideas.
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What function of a simile most directly affects pacing or emphasis in a sentence?
What function of a simile most directly affects pacing or emphasis in a sentence?
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It slows the moment to spotlight a key detail or reaction. Extended comparisons create pauses for emphasis.
It slows the moment to spotlight a key detail or reaction. Extended comparisons create pauses for emphasis.
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Identify the primary function: "His apology landed like a stone in water."
Identify the primary function: "His apology landed like a stone in water."
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Tone and impact: it emphasizes heaviness and awkward silence. "Stone in water" suggests uncomfortable, sinking failure.
Tone and impact: it emphasizes heaviness and awkward silence. "Stone in water" suggests uncomfortable, sinking failure.
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Identify the primary function: "She moved through the room like a shadow."
Identify the primary function: "She moved through the room like a shadow."
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Characterization: it suggests stealth, quietness, or avoidance. "Shadow" reveals her desire to remain unnoticed.
Characterization: it suggests stealth, quietness, or avoidance. "Shadow" reveals her desire to remain unnoticed.
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What function of a simile most directly contributes to imagery?
What function of a simile most directly contributes to imagery?
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It creates sensory detail by linking an abstract idea to a concrete image. Similes translate abstract concepts into tangible, sensory experiences.
It creates sensory detail by linking an abstract idea to a concrete image. Similes translate abstract concepts into tangible, sensory experiences.
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Which option best identifies a simile marker: "as if" or "therefore"?
Which option best identifies a simile marker: "as if" or "therefore"?
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"As if". "Therefore" shows causation, not comparison.
"As if". "Therefore" shows causation, not comparison.
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What does the term "tenor" mean when analyzing a simile?
What does the term "tenor" mean when analyzing a simile?
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The subject being described by the comparison. From Latin "tenere" (to hold)—what holds the comparison's focus.
The subject being described by the comparison. From Latin "tenere" (to hold)—what holds the comparison's focus.
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What does the term "vehicle" mean when analyzing a simile?
What does the term "vehicle" mean when analyzing a simile?
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The image used for comparison to illuminate the subject. In literary terms, it "carries" meaning to the tenor.
The image used for comparison to illuminate the subject. In literary terms, it "carries" meaning to the tenor.
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Identify the vehicle in the simile: "Her thoughts raced like wild horses."
Identify the vehicle in the simile: "Her thoughts raced like wild horses."
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Wild horses. The vehicle is what the tenor is compared to.
Wild horses. The vehicle is what the tenor is compared to.
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Identify the tenor in the simile: "Her thoughts raced like wild horses."
Identify the tenor in the simile: "Her thoughts raced like wild horses."
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Her thoughts. The tenor is what's being described by the comparison.
Her thoughts. The tenor is what's being described by the comparison.
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Which option is a metaphor, not a simile: "Time is a thief" or "Time is like a thief"?
Which option is a metaphor, not a simile: "Time is a thief" or "Time is like a thief"?
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"Time is a thief". Direct equation ("is") makes it metaphor; "like" would make it simile.
"Time is a thief". Direct equation ("is") makes it metaphor; "like" would make it simile.
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What is the key difference between a simile and a metaphor?
What is the key difference between a simile and a metaphor?
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A simile uses "like/as"; a metaphor asserts identity. Metaphors state "X is Y"; similes say "X is like/as Y."
A simile uses "like/as"; a metaphor asserts identity. Metaphors state "X is Y"; similes say "X is like/as Y."
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