Writing: Creating Images using “like” and “as” Build Better CommunicationTuesday, July 23, 2013 0 comments

In creating a good writing, creating images through writing is quite an important element. Am I right? Images are a way of giving the reader a PICTURE of what something is LIKE just by using WORDS.

There are two words that are common to be used in creating image.

1. Saying one thing is LIKE something else.

Example:

“The lights of the city shone like stars in the night sky.”

(Lampu kota ini bersinar seperti bintang di malam hari).

Here “like stars in the night sky” gave the image of WHAT the lights LOOK LIKE.

IMAGES tell you what the thing is LIKE, NOT what it actually is.

Another example:

“The frog jumps like a ballerina.” (Katak itu lompat seperti penari ballet).

2. You can also use AS in IMAGES SENTENCES.

Example:

“Tina walked as slow as a snail.” (Tina berjalan selambat bekicot).

“They ate as if they had not eaten for years.”

(Mereka makan seperti tidak makan bertahun-tahun).

The part “as if they had not eaten for years” was not actually true, but it helps readers to IMAGINE how hungry they were.

 Even though images really help you in creating a beautiful writing, too much of it won’t be good either.

 Make sure you know when and where to put it. If you are not sure, why not show it to someone and see how they react to it.

Let’s practice now.

All you got to do is be as creative as possible in continuing the next sentences. Make sure it makes sense :)

1.       “In this dark cave, the fire torch beamed like ___________ .”

2.      “Carl hugged Tina as if _________________.”

3.     “The stained glasses sparkled as ____________ as _______________.”