Explain the difference between a simile and a metaphor.

A simile and a metaphor are both figures of speech used to draw comparisons, but they do so in different ways. Similes explicitly use the words "like" or "as" to make a comparison between two different things, which creates a more graphic image or analogy for the reader. For example, saying "as brave as a lion" uses "as" to establish the comparison, making it clear that bravery is being likened to a lion's courage.

On the other hand, a metaphor makes a more direct comparison by stating that one thing is another, without using "like" or "as." For instance, if we say "time is a thief," the comparison suggests that time takes away moments from our lives just as a thief would take away belongings, without using comparative words.

This distinction is critical for understanding how each figure of speech creates imagery and meaning in writing. The other options do not accurately define the essential characteristics that separate similes from metaphors, leading to confusion.