Guidelines for Creating a Metaphor for the American Revolution

For this project you will create a metaphor poster that completes this comparison: “The American Revolution was like a…” You will design and create an illustration for your metaphor. You may work on the project individually or with a partner. Working with a partner of your choice will result in the same grade for both partners. You will be given time in class to work on the project. If you use your time wisely, you should easily be able to finish the project before the due date. Your metaphor must have the following features:

1. An accurate metaphor. The major challenge of the project is to choose a metaphor that you think

accurately completes the statement, “The American Revolution was like a _____”

NOTE: A simile is a metaphor, but not all metaphors are similes. There are two types of metaphors, simile and analogy. Metaphor is the broader term, In a literary sense metaphor is the rhetorical device that transfers the sense or aspects of one word to another. For example:

Metaphor : He is the apple of my eye.

Meaning: There is, of course, no real apple in a person’s eye. The “apple” is someone held dear.

A simile is a type of metaphor in which the comparison is made with the use of the word like or as:

Simile: His is as busy as a bee.

Meaning : “as busy as a bee” is comparing someone’s level of energy to a fast flying bee.

2. Use proper materials. The poster must be completed on the construction paper provided. Please do not use larger poster boards. Use dark ink or type all labels and the title of your poster which reads, “The American Revolution was like a ______.”

3. Appropriate comparison. The topic chosen should allow you to make an accurate comparison to the American Revolution. Choose a subject that is original and creative. You may not use specific television shows, video games, books or movies for the metaphor. If your topic is something that I am not familiar with, it is difficult for me to assess how accurate your comparisons are. If you have any doubts about the topic you have selected, check with Mrs. Zangara-Mason.

4. Visual Image. You must create a central image for your simile. The image should be bold and artistic. You should be able to explain clearly how the object and its component parts are similar to the Revolution using the ten labels explained below.

5. Labels. The poster should make direct comparisons between the American Revolution and the object you have chosen. The labels should explain how the item fits with the metaphor. Choose 10 of the following items to label on your poster:

Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, French & Indian War, King George III, taxes, Proclamation of 1763, Stamp Act, Tea Act, Sons of Liberty, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, France, Intolerable Acts, the Olive Branch Petition, Continental Congress, Concord & Lexington, Common Sense (or Thomas Paine), Valley Forge, Loyalists, Patriots, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, Continental Army, George Washington, British Army, Battle of Yorktown, Charles Cornwallis, and the Treaty of Paris.

6. Overall Appearance. Your poster should be neat, colorful, and creative. All writing on the poster must be typed or written in ink. Be sure to edit your writing for mistakes in spelling and grammar.

Your poster is due on ______.