Monday, February 28, 2011
A metaphor is a phrase that, when well crafted, uses one thing to mean another. It puts things into a clear picture... sorta like in a nutshell (sorry). They carry a lot of power and allow a writer to use fewer words – to better effect. Note: This post used to be three pages long.
An analogy is another technique. It shows how two different things are similar. In demonstration, here are my favorites from a funny analogy competition: 1) "He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree." 2) "The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease," and 3) "It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools." Okay, one more, 4) "She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef." (For the full list go here.)
Words are both fun and a challenge. Set out to write a metaphor or analogy and you'll discover why some people spend hours on a single, simple sentence or phrase.
Now that I've got you all revved up with your tach hitting the red zone you might ease up on the gas pedal; there is a danger. It's called mixed metaphors. Like my favorite: "An early bird gathers no moss." Don't go there unless you're doing stand-up. :o)
Posted by Rand MacIvor at 7:30 PM