9 Sept.

2020 “Definition Idea Generation Forum(DB)”

To help define the word "simile", I plan to use graphics to illustrate the effectiveness of
similes in sentences. Along with graphics, I will provide many examples to show how similes
function in writing as well as the impact they have. Finally, I believe negation is an important
strategy to utilize since people often confuse similes with metaphors.

I decided to do a free write to generate ideas for my definition.

I chose the word “simile” because it's an underrated weapon in a writer’s arsenal;
however, many proficient writers confuse similes with metaphors, including myself. I remember
learning about it in middle school and seeing it in books. The usage of similes made chapter
books more entertaining. It'll be challenging to define the word or to provide a definition that
doesn't just restate the word. Graphics will help visually, while Usage in sentences is important.
A big part of defining is negation; maybe make a chart between simile vs. metaphor? Compare
and contrast the function of both? Etymology is always important... always mentioned on the top
of Wikipedia pages... how long should the definition be? Maybe even talk about the cultural
impact on commonly used similes in writing? For example. "It was as big as a kite?" *from the
Christmas carol. Should research on commonly used similes in writing. I remember seeing
similes a lot in stories with backgrounds, like swamps or forests. Very connected to audio and
visual projection. Or a description of a teacher or an old building. Maybe provide an exercise
where readers are given two paragraphs; one with similes, one without. The readers can choose
which one sounds better! Define the word, etymology, provide examples, simile vs. metaphor
chart, etc. This is all very rough.. will elaborate on it as the time comes. I hope I chose an
adequate word. Provide examples of similes in good writing(Carl Hiaasen).
Feedback received:

1. Reviewer: Norris Entena

Hello Daniel,

The fact that many people misidentify similes and metaphors, including me, makes it very apt to
define the word simile. I do not know how you will use graphics effectively to define simile and
its effectiveness but I'm sure you can think of something. What I think will help define simile is
through Markel's strategy of Principles of Operation. This will help create a clear idea of a simile
by describing how a simile works and how one person can create one. I hope this helps.

2. Reviewer: Jesse Payton

Hey Daniel!

I like that you are defining the term simile. It’s a device that is either commonly mistaken for
metaphor or underappreciated because of the gravity that metaphors hold in literature. I think
that because of the similarities between the two devices, your definition would benefit most from
a compare and contrast section. In that section, you could list different examples of the two and
perhaps an example two like things are compared in each of the forms and discuss the gravity
and implications of both which could lead you to explaining why the difference is important in
literature.

Final thoughts:

It seems like my peers want me to include a section that compares the simile to the
metaphor. Jesse points out the difficulty of using graphics to help illustrate the simile used in
literature. When writing this definition, I am leaning towards including a section that is divided
into subsections of the different forms of similes; I am discovering many different forms of
similes while I am researching. Contrary to my belief, there are many scholarly articles that are
written about similes.
My feedback to peers:

Re: Contagious

Hello Caroline! This is such a relevant word today due to the pandemic; it is very fitting.
I like how you are planning on adding examples that are easy to understand for the average
reader, especially methods that can help stop the spread of germs. Perhaps you can add how this
word is relevant to what is going on today, and tie in the definition with how to prevent the
coronavirus from spreading. One strategy that can help with defining this word better is the
principle of operations. You can provide a step by step explanation of how germs spread from
person to person, which makes them contagious.

Re: Rhetoric

Hi Alyssa! I feel like I hear this word all the time in my English classes, yet I still do not
know exactly what it means. I am glad that you are tackling the definition of this word. I say that
this is challenging because this word is very broad; perhaps you can use the partitioning strategy
to divide the different aspects of the word into sections. I appreciate the inclusion of the
etymology of this word; I plan to do the same with mine. I believe it is a great place to start when
English is involved. Since rhetoric is strongly related to rhetorical devices, you can include a
section that discusses such devices and how they are used in writing. Good luck with defining
this word!

Re: Shakespearean Sonnet

Hello Jesse! It's nice to see someone defining a word that is related to the field of
English. I did not learn about the specific Shakespearean sonnet; however, I am certain that I
have come across this form of poetry whilst reading some of Shakespeare's works. One thing that
I think will help in further defining this word is breaking it down to the basics of what is a sonnet
and its components; then, you can compare and contrast the differences between a regular sonnet
and a Shakespearean. I would include a T-chart so the readers can see side by side.