Using Similes in Public Speaking

Video Transcript

"Hey there, we are talking about great word choices and wording for your public speaking presentation. I want to talk to you for a minute about similes, okay. If you don't know what a simile is it is a direct comparison of dissimilar things. Let me give you a few examples, "She's slow as molasses." Well, is she really slow as molasses? No. Maybe she's slow, but she's not as slow as molasses. That's like slow, okay. "I'm as hungry as a bear." Well, okay maybe, maybe not. They're a great way to get a point across and sort of create a visual by making that comparison of opposites. But let me give you a warning: don't overuse them. In fact, I would say in a five to seven or even a seven to ten minute speech you would only want to use one simile, maybe two. They're very interesting, and people can relate to them, and they like them, but don't overdo anything. Then it takes the value away from it. Okay?"