What is a simile?

A simile is defined as a comparison between two different things using the words "like" or "as." This literary device is commonly used to create vivid imagery in writing, allowing readers to understand an idea or an emotion by relating it to something familiar. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" illustrates bravery by directly comparing it to a lion’s well-known courage. This helps to paint a clear picture in the reader’s mind.

The other options describe different literary concepts. The first option refers to hyperbole, which is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. The third option talks about personification, which gives human traits to animals or objects, primarily used in poetry. The fourth option describes a rhetorical question, a figure of speech that prompts the audience to think more deeply rather than elicit a direct answer. These are all distinct from the simple and effective nature of a simile in making comparisons.