Metaphors and similes provide students with an , "anchor for new learning, especially when learning might be an abstract or difficult-to-understand idea." (McRel, 2012) In other words, metaphors and similes help students make connections between new learning and their existing knowledge and experiences. Based on the research in the second edition of Classroom Instruction That Works (McREL, 2012), students are effectively utilizing metaphors and similes when they can: 

1. Identify the basic or most important elements of the information or situation with which you are working.
2. Write that basic information as a more general patter by
   • Replacing words for specific thinks with words for more general things
   • Summarizing information whenever possible
3. Find new information or situation to which the general pattern applies.