Etymology
Verb and Noun
French contraster, from Middle French, to oppose, resist, alteration of contrester, from Vulgar Latin *contrastare, from Latin contra- + stare to stand — more at stand
First Known Use
Verb
1646, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of contrast was in 1646See more words from the same year
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Should you use a metaphor, a simile, or an analogy in your writing?
While all three are closely related, it’s smart to understand the differences. The distinctions among metaphors, similes, and analogies will also help underscore why you may want to use one and not the other in certain situations.
Now that we know metaphors can be powerful persuasion tools, let’s make sure everyone is on the same page from a definitional standpoint.
Let’s take a look at some basic definitions before exploring each one further …
A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses one thing to mean another and makes a comparison between the two. A simile compares two different things in order to create a new meaning. An analogy is comparable to metaphor and simile in that it shows how two different things are similar, but it’s a bit more complex.
Metaphor
Remember, metaphors use “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’s stated directly as if this person had actually lost his internal substance.
Simile
In the case of similes, we are made explicitly aware that a comparison is being made due to the use of “like” or “as.” (He’s like a shell of a man.)
For fun, the next time someone corrects you and says, “That’s a simile, not a metaphor,” you can respond by letting them know that a simile is a type of metaphor, just like sarcasm is a type of irony.
Resist the urge to be sarcastic in your delivery.
Analogy
Rather than a figure of speech, an analogy is more of a logical argument.
The presenter of an analogy will often demonstrate how two things are alike by pointing out shared characteristics, with the goal of showing that if two things are similar in some ways, they are similar in other ways as well.
Why metaphor?
There are circumstances where either a simile or an analogy is the more appropriate vehicle for getting your point across.
But coming up with a great metaphor may be your best bet in many situations. A metaphor carries so much more power than a simile, because it’s direct.
Using “like” or “as” to make an open comparison will often diminish the vivid visual you’re trying to paint in the reader’s mind.
Likewise, a spot-on metaphor will spark instant understanding for a reader, without the elaboration that an analogy requires.
From here, we’ll examine specific ways to use metaphor in your blog posts. Headlines, openings, themes, calls to action and more can all benefit from the use of metaphor, as long as the metaphors don’t suck.
We’ll look at ways to avoid that, too.
Did you miss the first post in this series? Read it now: Become a Master of Metaphor and Multiply Your Marketing Effectiveness
Next in the series:
5 Smart Ways to Use Metaphors to Create Irresistible Content
The Persuasive Power of Analogy
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An analogy is a comparison relationship between two pairs of words and can be written in the following manner: $A$ is to $B$ as $C$ is to $D .$ In the analogies that follow, one of the words is missing. Complete each analogy with a vocabulary term from the Study Guide page. Tongue is to candy as ____ is to algae.
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2 What is an analogy? A comparison between two things, for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
3 Got a Trick for This? The key to figuring out a set of word analogies is determining the relationship between the paired set of words.
4 Umm … What does that mean? Presented for your viewing pleasure is a list of relationships that will help you to determine how to solve the analogy problem.
5 Synonyms are words that have the same meaning. Lets talk dots…(: is to /:: as) But it makes more sense if you put it in a sentence For Example: –Bizarre : Weird :: Cute : Pretty. –‘Bizarre’ is the similar meaning of ‘weird’ just as ‘cute’ has a similar meaning to ‘pretty’ You Try: – Annoyed : Irritated :: Find : ____________ Discovered
6 Antonyms are words that mean the opposite Example: –detest : admire :: disagree : concede Detest is the opposite of admire whereas disagree is the opposite of concede. You Try: –kind : cruel :: find : __________ lose
7 A cause and effect analogy is a pair of words whose relationship has two parts. Cause is an action of some kind and effect is the result of that action. For example, rain : wet. The cause is the rain. Rain is the action that is occurring. The effect is wet. Wet is the resulting action caused by the rain. Example: –cut : bleed :: wound : pain You Try: –Gift (causes) Joy :: Detention(Causes) ___________ anger
8 Analogies where one word is a smaller part of the other word Example: –Prefix : word :: ingredient : recipe –A Preffix is a small part of a whole word much like ingredients are part of the whole recipe You Try: –Chapter : Book :: fender: ___________ car
9 Classification analogies can be similar to characteristic analogies, whereby one of the word pairs is an attribute of the other. Example: –Dog : Pet :: Jazz : Music –Remember to use “a Type of..” You Try: –Polka : Dance :: Call of Duty : _________________ Video game
10 People and things are usually described by their special qualities, or characteristics. Example: A bully, for example, could be described as aggressive, but not as affectionate. –pirate : brazen :: beggar : destitute You Try: –Dog : Loyal :: Cat : ________________ sly
11 Analogies of degree show greater or lesser extent (puddle / pond) or intensity (cool / icy). Example: –tan : brown :: pink : red You Try: (try using “is a little” and “Like”) –Chuckle : laugh :: whimper : ____________ weep
12 Analogy pairs where one of the words describes the function or purpose of the other Example: –eye : see :: ear : hear –The function of an eye is to see just as an ear’s function is to hear. You Try: –Knife : Cut :: Pen : ___________________ write
13 Analogies where one word in the pair tells us what the other is expected to do. Example: Dancer : Dance :: Rock Star : Sing You Try: Author : Write :: Chef : ____________ cook
14 When one of words in the analogy pair is what is expected to be used by the other. Example: –Cop : handcuffs :: mechanic : wrench You Try: Cashier : Cash :: Plumber : ___________ pipes
15 When one of words in the analogy pair is an action that you use it for. Example: –Bake : Cake :: Peel : orange You Try: Boil : Egg :: Throw : ____________ ball
16 When one of words in the analogy is the location you might find the other. Example: –Bear : Woods :: Camel : Desert You Try: Fish : Sea :: student : ________________ school
17 Remember this slide???? The key to figuring out a set of word analogies is determining the relationship between the paired set of words. Got a Trick for This? ______________________ __________________________