Communicating with Metaphors, page 18

Using Metaphors Well

Metaphors are an extremely important part of human communication. They are best used to make clear connections that might otherwise be hidden (in narrative and poetic writing), and to explicate difficult concepts (in descriptive and technical writing). Metaphors should be apt and interesting. Unless you are intending a comic effect, a metaphor should also be restrained.

Metaphors should be clear.

No hyperbole unless it makes a point.

It should be simple to understand the meaning of the metaphor, and the relationship between its tenor, vehicle, and ground.

You can’t use metaphors well unless you know how to work with the building blocks of writing, such as sentences and paragraphs.

Stretch Your Brain

1. Count the metaphors

   How many metaphors can you find in this chapter either as examples or in the text? Email me at learntowrite@bearhome.com for my count.

2. Fuel to the Fire

   Write a short paragraph that uses the metaphor of adding fuel to a fire.

3. Like a Snowball from Hell

   Write a short paragraph that uses a snowball in a metaphor.

4. Absolute Metaphors

   Write a short paragraph that includes an absolute metaphor.

5. Active Metaphors

   Eschew clichés! Write a short paragraph that contains an active metaphor.

6. Complex Metaphors

   Write a short paragraph that effectively uses a complex metaphor.

Continued next page

TOC || Page 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20



Home | Barticles | Blogs | Books | Services | FAQ | Contact

© Braintique.com. All rights reserved.