Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

Which literary device is a direct comparison between two unlike things?

1. Metaphor

2. Simile

3. Hyperbole

4. Personification

The correct answer is: Simile

The literary device that represents a direct comparison between two unlike things is a metaphor. A metaphor suggests that one thing is another, helping to create a vivid image or idea without using "like" or "as," which are typical in similes. For example, saying "Time is a thief" implies that time steals moments from our lives, conveying a strong imagery that evokes an emotional response. Similes, although similar, specifically use "like" or "as" to make comparisons, such as "as brave as a lion." Hyperbole exaggerates for emphasis or effect, such as "I could sleep for a thousand years," while personification attributes human qualities to non-human things, like saying "the wind whispered through the trees." These devices all function differently in literature, making it essential to understand their unique characteristics.