Use Song Lyrics (with care) to Teach Similes and Metaphors

1.   Similes 

• Use the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare things—“Life is like a box of chocolates.” 

2.   Metaphors 

• It describes something in a way that is not literally true for symbolic effect.
• Directly state a comparison—“Love is a battlefield.”

One way to involve students in the study of figurative language, especially similes and metaphors, is to use examples from songs they like. Teachers in age 7-12 can show how metaphors and similes in song lyrics allow songwriters to convey their deepest feelings. Metaphors and similes in songs help students to visualize comparisons that are deliberately placed to convey an attitude.

• Sad - Tears of a Clown (by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
• Happy - Walking in the Sunshine (by Roger Miller)

SIMILES

If a teacher wanted to teach stories and call out comparative characters like "like", perhaps there wasn't as iconic a song as Like A Rolling Stone, the 1965 folk rock song by Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan. An example of a more contemporary song is Let It Go from the Disney film Frozen in which Princess Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) mutters that "The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside”. The teacher can show how songwriters chose similes to help listeners describe the singer's emotions. Both examples use the word "like" in their poetry comparisons.

METAPHORS

For clear metaphorical direction, there's Keith Urban's 2016 country music hit John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16 which begins with a quick series of metaphors: " I'm a 45 spinning on an old Victrola

I'm a two strike swinger, I'm a Pepsi Cola…" 

There is also the classic rock and roll hit Hound Dog, which Elvis Presley (1956) covers in an uninspiring comparison to someone who "Cryin' all the time..." Here a metaphor is a direct but unusual comparison: singer for records, friend to dogs.

This metaphor helps listeners better understand the relationships within the song.

CAUTION:

Although teachers may engage students by making them encounter similes and metaphors in the music they enjoy, the sharing of these songs in schools must include a high level of warning. There are some song lyrics that are implied in the use of inappropriate language, rudeness, or prostitution.

There are also song lyrics that deliberately use metaphors and similes as coded language to convey implied messages that may not be appropriate for middle or high school grades. If students are allowed to share songs and lyrics in class, they must be willing to share only verses that are appropriate for use in class. In other words, PG lyrics only!

Here are two articles related to pre-watched songs for use in class that may be used to provide additional examples of both similes and metaphors in songs. Some of the lyrics of this song have been analyzed to help teach about the main character of the speech.

• Article 1: Songs With Similes

This article has 8 songs that can be used as models or mini lessons. The examples of similes in the lyrics have been analyzed for use in the classroom. Songs include:

• "Just like fire" – by Pink
• "Stitches" – by Shawn Mendes
• "Ex’s & Oh’s" – by Elle King

• Article 2: Songs With Metaphors

This article has 13 songs that can be used as models for mini-teaching. The examples of metaphors in the lyrics have been analyzed for use in the classroom. Songs include:

• "Can't Stop the Feeling" – by Justin Timberlake
• "H.O.L.Y" – by Florida Georgia Line
• "I'm Already There" – by Lonestar
• "This Is What You Came For" – by Rihanna

Interpreting words and phrases as they are used in text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyzing how certain word choices form intent or tone.

Finally, using song lyrics is one way teachers can "move off the worksheet" and show students how important metaphors and similes are in their daily lives. Investigations of student motivation also suggest that when students are given opportunities to make choices, their level of engagement increases.

Increasing student engagement through choice and allowing them to share how songwriters from every music genre use similes and metaphors can give students the practice they need to become proficient at interpreting and analyzing figurative language in other types of texts.

Reference:

• Gunakan Lirik Lagu (dengan berhati-hati) untuk Mengajar Angka Ucapan

https://ms.eferrit.com/gunakan-lirik-lagu-dengan-berhati-hati-untuk-mengajar-angka-ucapan/

• Simile and Metaphor—What’s the Difference?

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-simile-and-a-metaphor/