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Should you utilise a metaphor, a simile, or an analogy in your writing?

While all three are closely related, information technology's smart to sympathise the differences. The distinctions among metaphors, similes, and analogies will also aid underscore why you lot may want to utilize ane and non the other in certain situations.

Now that we know metaphors tin be powerful persuasion tools, let'southward make sure everyone is on the aforementioned page from a definitional standpoint.

Let'southward take a look at some basic definitions earlier exploring each ane further …

A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses one thing to mean another and makes a comparing between the ii. A simile compares two different things in club to create a new meaning. An analogy is comparable to metaphor and simile in that it shows how two dissimilar things are similar, but it'due south a bit more complex.

Metaphor

Remember, metaphors utilize "one thing to mean another."

So, when someone says, "He's become a shell of a man," we know not to take this literally, even though it'southward stated directly as if this person had actually lost his internal substance.

Simile

In the case of similes, we are fabricated explicitly aware that a comparison is being made due to the use of "like" or "equally." (He'southward like a crush of a homo.)

For fun, the next fourth dimension someone corrects you and says, "That'southward a simile, not a metaphor," you can reply by letting them know that a simile is a type of metaphor, only similar sarcasm is a blazon of irony.

Resist the urge to exist sarcastic in your delivery.

Illustration

Rather than a figure of speech, an analogy is more than of a logical argument.

The presenter of an analogy will often demonstrate how 2 things are alike by pointing out shared characteristics, with the goal of showing that if ii things are similar in some ways, they are similar in other means as well.

Why metaphor?

In that location are circumstances where either a simile or an illustration is the more appropriate vehicle for getting your point beyond.

But coming up with a great metaphor may exist your best bet in many situations. A metaphor carries so much more than power than a simile, because it's straight.

Using "like" or "every bit" to make an open comparison volition often diminish the vivid visual you're trying to paint in the reader's listen.

Likewise, a spot-on metaphor will spark instant understanding for a reader, without the elaboration that an analogy requires.

From hither, we'll examine specific ways to use metaphor in your blog posts. Headlines, openings, themes, calls to action and more tin all benefit from the use of metaphor, as long equally the metaphors don't suck.

We'll wait at ways to avoid that, too.

Did y'all miss the first postal service in this serial? Read information technology now: Get a Chief of Metaphor and Multiply Your Marketing Effectiveness

Next in the series:

5 Smart Means to Utilise Metaphors to Create Irresistible Content

The Persuasive Power of Analogy

Brian Clark is the founder of Copyblogger, the midlife personal growth newsletter Further, Unemployable, an educational customs that provides smart strategies for freelancers and solopreneurs, and Creative Affiliate, affiliate marketing advice for creators.