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Year 11
Edexcel

Emulating Chandler's use of similes in 'Trouble is My Business'

I can emulate Chandler's use of similes.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Emulating Chandler's use of similes in 'Trouble is My Business'

I can emulate Chandler's use of similes.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In order to emulate Chandler's use of similes, we might use an existing simile as a starting point.
  2. Then, we might use a synonym or antonym of the existing comparative word to create something unexpected.
  3. As well as the visual, we might think of the connotations of the comparative word to add layers of meaning.
  4. Moreover, we might consider adding extra detail to our comparative image to further add nuance.

Common misconception

That it's impossible to create imaginative similes.

While your mind will often go to common similes at first, you can consider how you can use synonyms/antonyms, sensory details, and extra detail in order to create imaginative similes.

Keywords

  • Cliché - a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought

  • Evocative - bringing strong images, memories or feelings to mind

  • Suet - the hard white fat on the kidneys and loins of cattle, sheep and other animals

  • Nuance - a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound

  • Emphatic - expressing something forcibly and clearly

It would be useful for pupils to share their justification of their similes so that other pupils can see their thought process.
Teacher tip

Equipment

It might be helpful to have the opening paragraph of Raymond Chandler's 'Trouble is My Business' for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'A figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as' ' is the definition of a ...
Correct Answer: simile
Q2.
The purpose of using a simile in creative writing is to .
show off and use impressive techniques
use up words
Correct answer: create vivid images
Q3.
Complete the following common simile: 'as warm as '
the moon
Correct answer: the sun
a fire
Q4.
'A large vault, typically an underground one, for burying the dead' is the definition of which word beginning with 't'?
Correct Answer: tomb
Q5.
'Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Correct Answer: evocative, evoke
Q6.
'To match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'.
Correct Answer: emulate

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Correct Answer: cliché, clichéd
Q2.
Why might we want to avoid using clichés in our writing?
we don't want to emulate someone else's work
Correct answer: we want to show our own creativity
they don't create a vivid image
Q3.
'Expressing something forcibly and clearly' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Correct Answer: emphatic
Q4.
Helios is a Greek God of .
Correct answer: the sun
transport
the moon
hospitality
Q5.
'A very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound' is the definition of which word beginning with 'n'?
Correct Answer: nuance, nuanced
Q6.
Which of the following similes creates the impression of heat as destructive?
'as hot as a kiln'
Correct answer: 'as hot as an incinerator'
'as hot as warm stew'