Literary term
Simile
A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.
What it means
A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as', making the comparison explicit. Because the link is signalled openly, a simile can be precise and controlled: the writer chooses exactly which quality to highlight. Similes are common in description and analysis.
They are easy to follow and still create a vivid picture.
Why it matters in the exam
IGCSE writer's-effects answers often quote a simile, but marks depend on explaining the comparison's effect. In composition, a well-judged simile shows control of description. An overused or clumsy one ('as big as a house') weakens it.
Example
"Her voice was as thin as paper" suggests fragility and the sense that it might tear at any moment.
How to use it
Identify the two things compared and the single quality the writer wants you to notice. Explain that quality's effect, and in your own writing prefer a fresh, specific simile over a tired one. Rewrite a flat sentence of your own using one precise simile.
Then check that the comparison adds meaning, not decoration. Examiners reward control, not quantity.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Simile" accurately in an answer.