analogy essay ideas

What Is Analogy and How to Use It in Your Essay

Table of contents

• 1 Types of Analogies
• 2 How Does Analogy Compare and Enhance Writing?
• 3 Metaphor and Simile: Cornerstones of Analogy (What This Greek Word Means?)
• 4 Crafting Effective Analogies Eight Steps Guide
• 5 Polishing Your Writing Style With Analogy Examples

Analogy is a literary technique that compares related or unrelated concepts, events, or notions to one another. Before writing an analogy, you should know that this concept can implement other literary devices like metaphors or allegories.

This article sets the stage for exploring the diverse landscape of analogical writing.

As you progress, you will also:

• Define examples of analogies and discover how they elevate your essay-writing skills.
• You will learn how analogy enhances essay writing and why it can help you improve your style.
• Examine and master the use of metaphor and simile.
• Master an eight-step PapersOwl guide to learn how to craft effective analogies quickly.

Before we proceed with practical examples and dive deep into theory, let’s start with the analogy definition.

Definition of Analogy in Writing

An analogy in essay writing represents a description that compares this to that by simplifying a certain idea. What you compare may have or may not have similarities. The use of comparative language is common for an analogy. One may encounter phrases like “experienced like an old dog” or “writing essays as a busy working bee.” An analogy general idea can be made between what a young child can do and what modern computers can generate. You can compare and persuade. Likewise, a  persuasive essay author can provide an analogy between a youngster and artificial intelligence.

Analogy’s purpose is to draw comparisons and a more detailed image with a clearer description. When an unknown concept is represented, literal analogies bring more clarity. When you are asked to create a connection between unrelated concepts, analogies become helpful. When you encounter metaphors, similes, or allegories, it indicates their practical use.

Types of Analogies

Speaking of types of analogies in writing, one should focus on various types of relations.

• Analogies that identify identical relationships . These analogy examples are most common as they talk about related concepts. It is like Los Angeles to the United States or guitar to piano. By learning how to write an analogy, one can see the relation between the same country or the musical instrument analogy.
• Analogies that identify shared abstraction. An analogy of figurative language stands for shared abstractions comparing something unrelated. It aims to find commonalities or patterns that make sense. Such cases can compare learning a foreign language to watering seeds that grow into flowers as time passes. Since it is the journey, not the destination, it helps to understand the abstractive language.
• A relation of a certain part to something whole analogy . It is a comparison of two sets of the same object or two parts of the same concept.
• Cause-and-effect relation analogy. It speaks of causes like the lack of water, which causes dehydration.
• Source to product. Think about the wood and the piano manufacturing common analogies.
• Object and a clear purpose. This one can talk about books and reading or water and swimming.
• Comparison of typical characteristics. If something is essential for an object, it becomes the source of the analogy between them.
• Coming from something general to specific parts. You can make an analogy by offering a good detective book by comparing two or more things.
• Metaphors and Allegories. These elements of an analogy in poetry add creativity and literary power, like being tired as a dog or feeling hungry like a wolf.

Tip: Using literal analogies can enhance your writing by building a strong connection between concepts. For example, when you need to provide a  literature analysis essay assignment, you use the creativity and imagination of the author by seeking analogies, among other things.

How Does Analogy Compare and Enhance Writing?

The most important element of using analogy examples in your essay is its enhancement. From clarity to a better description, it offers a mental bridge to the readers. If something in an essay is obscure or complex, an analogy makes it easier to understand demanding concepts.

• Creating Vivid Mental Images.

An analogy compares things and shows a way to help people understand things. When we compare raising children to building a house brick after brick, we receive an instant mental image. Similarly, adding creative writing to an essay helps to enhance the emotional state of things.

• Simplifying Complex Concepts.

Analogy examples help to simplify things that are overly complicated and demanding. It can be used in engineering or healthcare when a certain action is compared to what people know in practice. Likewise, comparing chemical aspects of work to cooking or culinary and human taste can help to simplify things. It is a practical example that gives people more accessible things they can easily connect with.

• Using Analogy to Influence and Convince.

An analogy compares marketing and business writing concepts when the main purpose is to motivate customers. The same is true when the author has to convince. Think about social or environmental causes where cause-and-effect rhetorical devices can become a turning point for readers. A good comparison with a logical argument can help inspire and simplify things, even in marketing. Due to their explanatory nature, analogies are common in  argumentative writing essays or school debates.

• Rhetorical Devices and Analogy.

Most analogies represent rhetorical devices, as we should use at least one type of comparison. Still, it does not work the same way as similes or metaphors that deal with resemblance aspects. A correct example will seek parallels between things that are not obvious or connected in one way or another. When used for an essay assignment, it will add rhetoric to help readers determine what common qualities can be established based on what is not apparent at first glance.

• Analogy in Different Genres.

When you are asked to use examples of analogies for a school essay, the trick is to determine the main purpose and use it correctly. It means that using an analogy in a detective story is not the same as using it for marketing purposes. The same applies when an author must classify different objects for analogy in literature. Likewise, a problem-and-solution analogy can be used in education or to deliver a similar concept. If we choose history books, we can provide old and modern analogies that help us understand historical concepts more clearly.

Metaphor and Simile: Cornerstones of Analogy (What This Greek Word Means?)

Metaphors and similes represent the main cornerstones of the use of an analogy. Take a quick look at several  academic essays related to social or literary subjects, and you will most definitely encounter at least one case. Writers use metaphors to compare something or use them for a specific effect. The tricky part is that a simile is a special sub-category of a metaphor, which shows that most similes are parts of metaphors, yet not the other way around. Let’s identify each case!

A metaphor (from the Greek word “to transfer”) represents a figure of speech that aims to compare things to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. A good example would be saying that the world is a stage or that people in love represent an endless ocean of love. Of course, metaphors are not meant to be taken literally!

A typical simile will create a different type of comparison by implementing the words “like” and “as” in writing. The most famous example of a simile in writing would be the phrase “Life is a beach.” One can spot it by using a direct comparison. It must be used with caution or have an additional explanation. Remember that examples of an analogy should show and explain things, which is why a simile or a metaphor can be used.

• Identifying the Main Differences.

Summing up regarding distinctions for writing analogies, we receive the following five rules:

• A simile aims to show that something is like some other object.
• A metaphor literary device uses poetical writing to say something is another thing.
• The purpose of analogy is to offer an additional explanatory point, not merely show.
• Metaphors and similes can work for an enhancement effect when using an analogy in essay writing.
• A simile is a special subgenre of metaphors, yet not all metaphors are similes.

Crafting Effective Analogies Eight Steps Guide

Making an analogy efficient and fitting always comes down to the practical clarity of a certain description. Depending on the genre, start by analyzing your target audience to make things more accessible. If there’s a concept, think about the main elements and see what is most relevant.

• Analyze the Target Concept. Start with a proper analysis of the main concept that you outline in your essay. If you are dealing with medical practices, do not create analogies that do not fit. Keep within high morals and be sensitive. If you are composing a reflective essay, some types of analogy can be related to your past or certain experiences from your life. These should help people understand you in a better way.
• Choosing the Concept for Explanation . When you seek diverse types of analogies, think about a concept that can be used for explanatory purposes. It means that you may use historical books or comparisons to certain movies or events that have taken place before. For example, you may consider comparing a business deal to Boston’s Tea Ceremony or woodworking to learning how to play guitar well.
• Highlight Relevant Similarities. Although analogies in literature are always about seeking similarities, not all will remain clear to your readers. Therefore, one should focus on relevant similarities and highlight them the best way you can. If you state that our world is like a theater where all of us are merely actors, it should not come out of the blue but have an explanation as you quote William Shakespeare’s words.
• Forming the Basis of the Analogy. Before you add it to your essay, think about making an introduction. An analogy never comes on its own because it requires a special paragraph that highlights it and leads to an emotional climax. Once you have got what is an example of an analogy, add more analytical writing or an explanatory sentence to help your readers see your point more clearly.
• Illustrating the Analogy with Real-World Situations. An analogy sentence that does not make sense will not work. The trick is to help people connect and see how your example can be used in practice. When you say that working at Tesla corporation was like surviving Arizona’s heatwave, most Americans will be able to relate to that.
• Adapting the Analogy to Audience Knowledge. When your analogy is overly complex and relates to engineering or law essay writing, you may not achieve success with that. Remember to adapt your comparison to the level of your target audience. The key is to make things accessible and ensure that you are understood.
• Ensuring Natural Fit and Relevance. It is best to use your analogy in the middle of a paragraph. This way, you can add a special introduction and make it fit naturally. It should fit within a relevant paragraph, making it apparent to avoid using analogies as the final sentence. More space is essential since you must add transition words in an essay.
• Weaving Analogies into the Narrative. Use an analogy to show and explain a certain concept or idea. Use the same narrative tone if your essay is written this way. Adjust your writing accordingly if you use an explanatory or argumentative tone.

Polishing Your Writing Style With Analogy Examples

Coming up with a good analogy may seem challenging, especially when you must get the essay done at the last minute or when you are unsure about the emotional power of your writing. Using an analogy in writing helps you improve things and add clarity, even to the most complex subjects. Refer to the eight-step writing guide above before you start, and don’t forget to double-check existing analogy types! Lastly, remember the importance of balancing active and passive voice as you explain and use various literary devices to enhance your writing further.

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What is an Analogy? Explained With 10 Top Examples

What is an analogy? Read our guide with top examples and in-depth explanations so you can wrap your head around this literary device.

Literary devices make your prose more colorful and vivid, allowing the reader to make associations. What is an analogy? An analogy compares two seemingly unlike things to help draw a conclusion by highlighting their similarities. Unlike other comparisons, like similes and metaphors, an analogy gives more detail about the comparison to help the reader understand it better. 

While there are many different types of analogy to study, the best way to understand this and other figures of speech is to consider examples. After reading a few analogies, you will be better equipped to spot them or write your own. And when you have finished here, check out our comparison article, simile vs metaphor .

What is An Analogy?

What are the benefits of using an analogy, analogy examples, 1. a name is a rose from romeo and juliet, 2. life is a shadow from macbeth, 3. the crowd is like a fisherman in “a hanging”, 4. life is like a box of chocolates from forrest gump, 5. pulling out troops is like salted peanuts from henry kissinger, 6. the futility of a new author from cocktail time, 7. the mystery of life in let me count the ways, 8. the push for freedom is like summer’s heat in “i have a dream”, 9. a needle in a haystack, 10. rearranging deck chairs on the titanic, 11. the matrix’s pill analogy, 12. harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone, what is the opposite of an analogy, what is an example of an analogy, what is the simple definition of analogy, what are 5 examples of analogy, what is another word for an analogy.

An analogy compares two concepts, usually to explain or clarify an idea. Writers use analogies to help people understand complex or abstract topics by relating something abstract to the familiar or concrete. They also use them as a type of literary device to improve the readability of their works.

By highlighting similarities, a writer helps readers see how one thing works or behaves by comparing the characteristics of abstract ideas to more familiar ideas. As a result, a concept or idea becomes easier to understand and even more memorable.

For example, a news reporter could employ this word analogy: “The presidential race for 2024 is like a chessboard…” Teachers use different types of analogies to demonstrate a concept to a student. For this reason, analogy tests often form part of standardized tests in any good English curriculum.

Analogies work in the real world too! For example, if a running coach wants to explain how a runner can run faster, they could use an analogy like “Pump your arms like a train” to help people understand how they should use their arms and legs to run faster. You might also be interested in learning  what is tautology .

Examples of analogies exist in classic literature, the latest books, movies and TV shows. Here are a few:

Often, analogies compare abstract concepts to something you can touch and feel. There are several examples of analogy in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In this analogy, the playwright compares someone’s name to a rose. The rose retains its sweet smell no matter how it is named, as does the person, regardless of his name. Read our guide to the best books of classic literature .

“If you want my final opinion on the mystery of life and all that, I can give it to you in a nutshell. The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the combination is locked up in the safe.”

Life is a difficult concept to understand, making it a favorite topic for people who write analogies. In Act V of Macbeth, Shakespeare creates an analogy example by comparing a person’s life, and its brevity, to a fleeting shadow:

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale  Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”

Because life is so fleeting, this analogy works. The reader can see the shadow flitting about on the stage, then disappearing, reminding the reader how short life really is. You might also find these  headings and subheadings examples  helpful.

Some analogies take a little more time to explain yet still compare unlike things to make a point. For example, in his essay entitled  A Hanging  George Orwell describes the crowd gripping a man as they lead him to the gallows. The analogy is the comparison to the way a man would hold a slippery fish:

“They crowded very close about him, with their hands always on him in a careful, caressing grip, as though all the while feeling him to make sure he was there. It was like men handling a fish which is still alive and may jump back into the water. But he stood quite unresisting, yielding his arms limply to the ropes, as though he hardly noticed what was happening.”

This analogy is also an example of a simile because it uses the word “like” to make the comparison. However, because it extends beyond just one statement but has a complete description and explanation, it brings more imagery to the reader’s mind and thus is an analogy. Read our guide to the  best satirical authors .

Some analogies are short and sweet, rather than taking up an entire literary work. In the movie Forrest Gump, both the title character and his mother refer to life as a “box of chocolates.” In one of the most famous figures of speech from this movie, Forest says:

“My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Though this is a simple statement, it is an example of an analogy. The reader has probably experienced the feeling of grabbing chocolate and wondering what flavor it is, so this is a good analogy. But, like life, that box of chocolates always has the potential to give you the unexpected. You might also be wondering,  what is point of view?

Though technically a historian and not a literary genius, Henry Kissinger was famous for many of his analogies. One of his most commonly quoted is this:

“Withdrawal of U.S. troops will become like salted peanuts to the American public; the more U.S. troops come home, the more will be demanded. This could eventually result, in effect, in demands for unilateral withdrawal.”

This quote comes from a  memorandum Kissinger sent to President Nixon  regarding the conflict in Vietnam. He warned the president that bringing troops home a little at a time would create demand for more withdrawal, just like eating tasty peanuts makes you want to eat more. 

Writing a book is definitely challenging, especially when doing so for the first time. This fact is the source of one famous analogy in literature. In  Cocktail Time , P.G. Wodehouse compares a new author to someone performing an impossible task:

“It has been well said that an author who expects results from a first novel is in a position similar to that of a man who drops a rose petal down the Grand Canyon of Arizona and listens for the echo.”

Clearly, expecting to hear an echo from a rose petal at the Grand Canyon is foolishness. Thus, based on this analogy, the logical argument that expecting to see significant returns from a first novel is also foolish. You might also be wondering  what is a split infinitive .

In his novel  Let Me Count the Ways , Dutch author and journalist  Peter De Vries  compares life and a safe. He writes:

In this analogy, the safe can’t be unlocked. Similarly, the mystery of life is something people can’t fully understand.

Speechwriters who are good at their jobs often use analogies to make their words more memorable. In his famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” Martin Luther King, Jr., makes an analogy between the anger of African-Americans and the heat of summer in this quote:

“This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.”

Just like the heat of summer is unquenchable, the frustration of those facing endless prejudice cannot be quenched. Yet when freedom comes, it is like the relief of the cool autumn breeze. This quote is still used today when people remember the famous civil rights activist.

Finding a needle in a haystack is a nearly impossible task. This catchphrase or analogy example is often applied to tasks that seem out of reach. For instance, one common analogy says:

“Finding a good man is as easy as finding a needle in a haystack.”

This analogy indicates it is nearly impossible to find a “good man.” Though unfair to the male gender, it does make its point through the use of analogy. Most people can picture digging through the hay to find a needle, but to no avail, which makes the analogy work.

This analogy does not come from any famous literary work or speech but from a well-known historical moment. The sinking of the Titanic was one such event. Sometimes people, when talking about something futile, will say:

“That’s as useful as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”

Since the Titanic was a doomed vessel, the futility of the effort is seen in this use of figurative language. The phrase can apply to any effort that would not matter because the result is a failure, like the sinking of the infamous ship. Check out our metonymy examples .

In The Matrix , there is a famous scene where Morpheus presents the red pill/blue pill analogy to Neo. The analogy is a turning point in the movie where Neo has to pick which path he wants to go down. The red pill represents embracing the uncomfortable truth and becoming aware of the real world he lives in. The blue pill represents choosing the familiar and comfortable path where he can remain in his world, oblivious to the dark reality he suspects.

“You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

J.K. Rowling uses analogies throughout her works, often to give insight into the minds and personalities of the characters. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , Professor Dumbledore speaks to Harry and imparts some of his famous wisdom.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

In this analogy example sentence, he suggests that while having dreams and aspirations are important, it’s just as important to be grounded and present in the current moment. The analogy aims to show Harry that he should balance his ambition and reality and become mindful in the midst of the chaos that he lives in. It also encourages Harry to let go of regrets and become fully present in his life as it is today.

An antithesis highlights the differences between two contrasting ideas. For example, the analogy “Man plans, and God laughs” shows how we can strive and work towards a goal, only for God or fate to intervene and uproot our best plans. For further reading on a similar subject, check out our post on examples of metaphors in literature .

FAQs About What is an Analogy

An example of an analogy is “Hope is the lighthouse that stands tall amidst the stormy seas of despair.” The analogy emphasizes the idea that hope can help us navigate through the storms of life, guiding us toward a better future and helping us persevere in the face of challenges.

An analogy is a comparison between two things that are alike in some way, often used to help explain something or make it easier to understand.

1. Her laughter was music to his ears. 2. Time is money. 3. He is a shining star in the world of science. 4. The classroom was a zoo during the group activity. 5. Life is a journey with its share of twists and turns.

A related term for analogy is comparison. A comparison is a way of describing the similarities or differences between two things in order to better understand them.

50 Examples Of Analogies For Critical Thinking

What Are The Best Examples Of Analogies For Critical Thinking?

by Terry Heick

In our guide to teaching with analogies , we offered ideas, definitions, categories, and examples of analogies.

This post is a more specific version of that article where we focus specifically on types and examples of analogies rather than looking at teaching with analogies more broadly. Below, we offer more than 20 different types of analogies and examples of type of analogy as well–which results in nearly 100 examples of analogies overall.

Note that because an analogy is simply a pattern established by the nature of a relationship between two ‘things,’ there are an infinite number of kinds of analogies. You could, for example, set up an analogy by pairing two objects only loosely connected–brick and road, for example: a brick is to a road as…

Of course, analogies are best solved by creating a sentence that accurately captures the ‘truest and best’ essence of the relationship of the first two items in the analogy. So in the above brick/road example, you might say that ‘bricks used to be used to create roads,’ at which point all kinds of possibilities emerge: Bricks used to be used to create roads as glass used to be used to create bottles, yielding the analogy:

Bricks : Road :: Glass : Bottle

You could also use this in a specific content area–Social Studies, for example:

Bricks : Road :: Pamphlets : Propaganda

Language Arts?

Bricks : Roads :: Couplets : Sonnets? Maybe, but this leaves out the critical ‘used to be…’ bit.

You get the idea. By forcing students to distill one relationship in order to understand another, it’s almost impossible to accurately solve analogies without at least some kind of understanding–unless you use multiple-choice, in which case a lucky guess could do the trick.

Now, that’s a purposely far-fetched example. In most teaching and learning circumstances like courses and classrooms, analogies are used in common forms that are more or less obvious: part to whole, cause and effect, synonym and antonym, etc. This makes them less subjective and creative and easier to score on a multiple-choice question and can reduce the subjectivity of actually nailing down the uncertain relationship between ‘bricks’ and ‘roads.’ It becomes much easier when you use something with a more clear relationship, like ‘sapling is to tree as zygote is to…’

Of course, this misses the genius of analogies: asking students to see–and sometimes even create–the relationship between things rather than ‘choosing’ the ‘type’ of analogy. Analogies are brilliant teaching and learning tools that we use all of the time in everyday life to explain something by explaining something else .

(If you’d like to read more about this idea, I discussed it in some in ‘ Why Questions Are More Important Than Answers .’) And it’s at this point that it feels like exploring how to use analogies for critical thinking might be more interesting than merely offering types of analogies, but for the sake of packaging and time, I’ll finish this post and re-address the ‘analogies for critical thinking’ bit later.

Why Analogies Are Valuable For Learning

In the guide to teaching with analogies shown above, I explained that, “Academic analogies are useful for teaching and learning because they require students to analyze a thing (or things), and then transfer that analysis that analysis to another thing. This kind of transfer requires at least some kind of conceptual grasp–understanding.”

I went on to offer that “This makes them useful for assessment, but they can also be used as an effective learning strategy as well. As students create incorrect analogies, analyze the relationships their analogies are suggesting, and then correct them accordingly, students are grappling with ideas, monitoring and revising their thinking, and otherwise actively consider the often complex relationships between disparate things.”

In fact, we’ve begun using analogies in our TeachThought University courses. They’re genius little tools to both cause and measure understanding. And while there are some common types of analogies that you (and students) will see most commonly, (antonyms, categories, part to whole, cause and effect, etc.), the truth is that unless two objects or ideas represent an entirely unique circumstance that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the universe, there should always be an analogous pairing or counterpart somewhere. They even function strongly as psychology-based critical thinking strategies .

Put another way, there are nearly an infinite number of analogies and an uncountable number of types of analogies. Consider the following:

Father : Pops :: Henry VIII : ______?

Tissue: Kleenex :: ______ : ______?

You could call these ‘slang’ analogies but the latter isn’t really slang. You could say also call them ‘more commonly known as’ analogies or even synonyms but that’s entirely the essence of the relationship either. This is a unique relationship–as so many are. You get the point: That there are an impossible number of things and relationships so there aren’t a set number of ‘types of analogies.’

The question for you, as a teacher, is which are the most helpful for you to cause and measure understanding with students? So for now, we’ve included the most common types of analogies and then added in some less common but still useful types of analogies. We’ve tried to make some simple and some more complex just to demonstrate the range and value of analogies in critical thinking.

Some, I’ve added commentary to. Others, I just included the examples. The general pattern I’ve used is to start with a simple example and then create a more complex analogy.

Note, there may be some disagreement about some of the ‘answers’ here–either from you as a reader or your students. That’s good! If your students are arguing that democracies aren’t actually the ‘opposite’ of a dictatorship, that means they likely at least vaguely grasp each and arguing about the similarities and differences!

What more can you ask for in introducing or reviewing content?

50+ Examples Of Analogies For Critical Thinking

1. Synonym Analogies

Funny : Humorous :: Hardworking : Diligent

Lead : Guide :: Drawing : Illustration

Mom : Mother :: Dog : _______

Beginner : Novice :: Law : ______

2. Antonym Analogies

Night : Day :: Right : Left

Wet : Dry : Hot : Cold

Open: Closed :: Free : ______

Empiricism : ______ :: Small : Big

3. Part/Whole Analogies

Electron: Molecule :: Country : Continent

Toe : Foot :: Finger : Hand

Stars : Galaxy :: Molecules : Object

Data : Scientific Process :: Thesis Statement : ______

4. Cause/Effect Analogies

Spin : Dizzy :: Jump : Elevate

Honesty: Trust :: Light : Plant Growth

Itch : Scratch :: Virus : Cold

Read : Learn :: Try : Improve

Rise of Social Messaging : Demise of Email :: __________: French Revolution

Writing Process : Idea Organization :: Eye Contact : ______

5. Thing/Function Analogies

Broom : Sweep :: Paintbrush : Paint

Freezer: Freeze :: Paper Towel : Wipe

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” : Civil Rights :: ________ : LBGTQ rights

Gravity : Pull :: Conflict : ______

6. Thing/Characteristic Analogies

Democracy : Equality :: Monarchy : One Ruler

Water : Wet :: Concrete : Hard

Mountain : Tall :: Desert : Dry

Sugar : Sweet :: Cheetah : Fast

Water : Wet :: Circles : ______

Wall : Bricks :: Sonnet : Lines

Mountain : Tall :: Globalization : _____

7. Thing/Context Analogies (similar to Part/Whole and other categories of analogies)

Cello : Symphony :: Creek : Forest

Plane : Hangar :: Surfboard : Beach

Field : Farm :: Audience : Arena

Conflict : Story :: Emoji : Texting

8. Example/Type Analogies

Orange : Fruit :: Hydrogen : Element

Kangaroo : Marsupial : Dog :: Mammal

Ford Mustang : Muscle Car :: Subaru BRZ : Sports Car

Deontology : Ethics: Cubism : Art

______ : Immigration Policy :: iPhone : Smartphone

9. Category/Subcategory Analogies

Phylum : Kingdom :: Aisle : Department

Sonnet: Petrarchan Sonnet :: Rose : Red Rose

Shape : Quadrilateral :: _______ : Orbit

10. Object/Classification Analogies

Bowl : Dish :: Sword : Weapon

Cat : Feline :: Dog : Canine

Porsche 911 : Sports Car :: Alligator : Reptile

Rain : Precipitation :: ______ : Rhyme Scheme

12. Fact/Opinion Analogies

Wet : Soaked :: 7 Seconds : Fast

6′ 4″ : Tall :: Awake : Smart

It’s 93 degrees : It’s Hot :: ________ :

13. Step/Process Analogies

Evaporation : Water Cycle :: ______ : Evolution

Test Theory : Scientific Process :: Stir : Make Chocolate Milk

Revision : Writing Process :: ______ :

______ : Sentence Diagramming

14. Problem/Solution Analogies

Tape : Paper Tear :: Knee Scrape : Bandaid

Alliteracy : Habits :: Lack of Cardiovascular Endurance : Lack of Exercise

Climate Change : Reduce Greenhouse Gases :: ________ : Poverty

15. Symbol/Referent Analogies

Peace Sign : Hippies :: Red Cross: Medical Professional

To make that a bit more complex, consider Peace Sign : Vietnam :: _____ : ______ where it could be seen that rather just “The Peace Sign characterized Hippies as…” you instead of “The Peace Sign was seen as a counter-symbol to Vietnam as…”, and so on. The following example is equally complex:

Guillotine: French Revolution :: Faulkner’s use of setting in A Rose for Emily : ________

To answer that, you’d have to know whether or not it was commonly considered for the guillotine to ‘represent’ the Fresh Revolution and then further, exactly how Faulkner used setting in ‘A Rose for Emily.’

16. Producer/Product Analogies

Sheep : Wool :: Milk : Cow

As with others, the first analogy is simple:

Cow : Milk :: Beehive : Honey

The second sets up at simple (Producer/Product) but the second part asks the student to think (and know) more:

Cow: Milk :: Industrialism : _____

Clearly, these can be subjective but if you use this to your advantage (in a debate or discussion, or by asking the student to defend their choices, for example) that’s a good thing. You can also use a multiple-choice format to reduce some of this subjectivity if you need thinks nice and tidy in a lesson or assessment.

17. Noun/Adjective Analogies

Lemon : Yellow :: Snow : White

Flamingo : Pink :: Rhinoceros : Grey

Cardinal : Red :: Irony : ______

18. Task/Subtask Analogies

Kick : Soccer :: Dribble : Basketball

Plan : Prioritize :: Lead : Communicate

Drive : Steer :: Live : Breathe

19. Kinds Of Measurement Analogies

Vegetable Harvest : Bushels :: Liquid : Gallon

Geometric Shape : Degrees :: Marine Distance : Nautical Miles

City : Blocks :: Farms : Acres

20. Finish the Set or Sequence Analogies

Salt : Pepper :: Peas : Carrots

2 : 8 :: 5 : 20

21. Strength & Weakness Analogies

Lighthouse : Brightness :: Flashlight : Portability

Abundant Supply : Solar Energy :: Low Cost : Coal

Potential Profits : Capitalism :: ______ : Artificial Intelligence

Plastic : Pollution :: Greed : ______

22. Spatial Relationship (e.g., Geography) Analogies

South America : North America :: Ireland : ______

Floor : Ceiling :: Conclusion : Introduction

Peanut Butter : Bread :: Chapters : Book Covers

23. Increasing or Decreasing Intensity Analogies

Cool : Cold :: Warm : Hot

Aggressive : Fierce :: Amused : Elated

Instability : Turmoil :: Change : Revolution

Speed of Sound : Speed of Light :: ______ : Gammar Ray Bursts

24. Thing/Group Analogies (similar to Part/Whole Analogies)

Fish : School :: Lion : Pride

Flock : Birds :: Pack : Wolves

People : Community :: Tree : Forest

25. Rhyme Analogies

Jump : Bump :: Wire : Fire

Ship : Blip :: Stop : Lop

About The Author

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The Value of Analogies in Writing and Speech

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• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

An  analogy  is a type of  composition  (or, more commonly, a  part  of an  essay  or  speech ) in which one idea, process, or thing is explained by  comparing  it to something else.

Extended  analogies are commonly used to make a complex process or idea easier to understand. "One good analogy," said American attorney Dudley Field Malone, "is worth three hours' discussion."

"Analogies prove nothing, that is true," wrote Sigmund Freud, "but they can make one feel more at home." In this article, we examine the characteristics of effective analogies and consider the value of using analogies in our writing.

An analogy is "reasoning or explaining from parallel cases." Put another way, an analogy is a comparison between two different things in order to highlight some point of similarity. As Freud suggested, an analogy won't settle an argument , but a good one may help to clarify the issues.

In the following example of an effective analogy, science writer Claudia Kalb relies on the computer to explain how our brains process memories:

Some basic facts about memory are clear. Your short-term memory is like the RAM on a computer: it records the information in front of you right now. Some of what you experience seems to evaporate--like words that go missing when you turn off your computer without hitting SAVE. But other short-term memories go through a molecular process called consolidation: they're downloaded onto the hard drive. These long-term memories, filled with past loves and losses and fears, stay dormant until you call them up. ("To Pluck a Rooted Sorrow," Newsweek , April 27, 2009)

Does this mean that human memory functions exactly like a computer in all ways? Certainly not. By its nature, an analogy offers a simplified view of an idea or process—an illustration rather than a detailed examination.

Analogy and Metaphor

Despite certain similarities, an analogy is not the same as a metaphor . As Bradford Stull observes in The Elements of Figurative Language (Longman, 2002), the analogy "is a figure of language that expresses a set of like relationships among two sets of terms. In essence, the analogy does not claim total identification, which is the property of the metaphor. It claims a similarity of relationships."

Comparison & Contrast

An analogy is not quite the same as comparison and contrast either, although both are methods of explanation that set things side by side. Writing in The Bedford Reader (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008), X.J. and Dorothy Kennedy explain the difference:

You might show, in writing a comparison and contrast, how San Francisco is quite unlike Boston in history, climate, and predominant lifestyles, but like it in being a seaport and a city proud of its own (and neighboring) colleges. That isn't the way an analogy works. In an analogy, you yoke together two unlike things (eye and camera, the task of navigating a spacecraft and the task of sinking a putt), and all you care about is their major similarities.

The most effective analogies are usually brief and to the point—developed in just a few sentences. That said, in the hands of a talented writer, an extended analogy can be illuminating. See, for example, Robert Benchley's comic analogy involving writing and ice skating in "Advice to Writers."

Argument From Analogy

Whether it takes a few sentences or an entire essay to develop an analogy, we should be careful not to push it too far. As we've seen, just because two subjects have one or two points in common doesn't mean that they are the same in other respects as well. When Homer Simpson says to Bart, "Son, a woman is a lot like a refrigerator," we can be fairly certain that a breakdown in logic will follow. And sure enough: "They're about six feet tall, 300 pounds. They make ice, and . . . um . . . Oh, wait a minute. Actually, a woman is more like a beer." This sort of logical fallacy is called the argument from analogy or false analogy .

Examples of Analogies

Judge for yourself the effectiveness of each of these three analogies.

Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal them up, but to help them open and reveal the riches within. There are pearls in each of us, if only we knew how to cultivate them with ardor and persistence. ( Sydney J. Harris, "What True Education Should Do," 1964)

Think of Wikipedia's community of volunteer editors as a family of bunnies left to roam freely over an abundant green prairie. In early, fat times, their numbers grow geometrically. More bunnies consume more resources, though, and at some point, the prairie becomes depleted, and the population crashes. Instead of prairie grasses, Wikipedia's natural resource is an emotion. "There's the rush of joy that you get the first time you make an edit to Wikipedia, and you realize that 330 million people are seeing it live," says Sue Gardner, Wikimedia Foundation's executive director. In Wikipedia's early days, every new addition to the site had a roughly equal chance of surviving editors' scrutiny. Over time, though, a class system emerged; now revisions made by infrequent contributors are much likelier to be undone by élite Wikipedians. Chi also notes the rise of wiki-lawyering: for your edits to stick, you've got to learn to cite the complex laws of Wikipedia in arguments with other editors. Together, these changes have created a community not very hospitable to newcomers. Chi says, "People begin to wonder, 'Why should I contribute anymore?'"--and suddenly, like rabbits out of food, Wikipedia's population stops growing. (Farhad Manjoo, "Where Wikipedia Ends." Time , Sep. 28, 2009)

The "great Argentine footballer, Diego Maradona, is not usually associated with the theory of monetary policy," Mervyn King explained to an audience in the City of London two years ago. But the player's performance for Argentina against England in the 1986 World Cup perfectly summarized modern central banking, the Bank of England's sport-loving governor added.

Maradona's infamous "hand of God" goal, which should have been disallowed, reflected old-fashioned central banking, Mr. King said. It was full of mystique and "he was lucky to get away with it." But the second goal, where Maradona beat five players before scoring, even though he ran in a straight line, was an example of the modern practice. "How can you beat five players by running in a straight line? The answer is that the English defenders reacted to what they expected Maradona to do. . . . Monetary policy works in a similar way. Market interest rates react to what the central bank is expected to do." (Chris Giles, "Alone Among Governors." Financial Times . Sep. 8-9, 2007)

Finally, keep in mind Mark Nichter's analogical observation: "A good analogy is like a plow which can prepare a population's field of associations for the planting of a new idea" ( Anthropology and International Health , 1989).

• Understanding Analogy
• What Is Clarity in Composition?
• False Analogy (Fallacy)
• Definition and Examples of Parody in English
• 30 Writing Topics: Analogy
• Heuristics in Rhetoric and Composition
• What Is Colloquial Style or Language?
• Hypercorrection in Grammar and Pronunciation
• Logos (Rhetoric)
• Using the Simple Sentence in Writing
• The Basic Characteristics of Effective Writing
• Learn About Précis Through Definition and Examples
• Euphuism (Prose Style)
• Definition and Examples of an Ad Hominem Fallacy
• Graphics in Business Writing, Technical Communication
• Definition and Examples of Bilingualism

• Literary Terms

When & How to write an Analogy

• Definition & Examples
• When & How to write an Analogy

How to Write an Analogy

You should use analogies in your writing when you want to show strong support by comparison. Here are some examples of how to use them:

Normal Sentence:

He ran incredibly fast in the race.

With Analogy:

In the race, he ran with the grace and speed of a cheetah—smooth, flawless, and natural, as if he had been raised running across the plains of Africa.

Those two are very close.

Those two unlikely friends are surprisingly close, like a shark and its cleaner fish—though they have different qualities and purposes, it is clear that neither could survive without the

Although analogies are useful and essential devices, they can be surprisingly difficult to use effectively! You don’t want to make comparisons to just anything, or your writing may start to look sloppy and careless. Here are some examples of poor analogies to show you the kinds of common mistakes you should try to avoid:

Poor Analogy : He ran as fast as a cheetah in the race.

Why It’s Poor : Wait, there was a cheetah in the race? No, of course not. That phrase is a dangling modifier . So just move it to the beginning, as in the sentence above (“In the race, he ran…”).

Poor Analogy : On that warm summer day, we went down to the beach, where the sand was as white as snow.

Why It’s Poor : The author has done so much to show the reader that the setting is a warm, sunny beach in summer. But the word “snow” completely undermines that by bringing up images of cold, grey winter. Rather than improving  the imagery, the analogy actually works against it.

When to Use Analogy

Analogies can be an extremely powerful addition to your writing, so experiment! Using analogies is a really useful skill for improving your powers of logic, reasoning, and writing, and the best way to learn it is to practice.

When you experiment with analogies in your writing, keep the following principles in mind:

• Make sure it’s clear what aspect(s) of the two objects you want to compare.
• Draw an analogy to something concrete , ideally something that people can actually visualize in their minds. If you’re trying to explain an abstract idea, it doesn’t help to compare it to another abstract idea, but it might help a lot if you compare it to something tangible!
• If you’re using analogies in creative writing, make sure they’re suited to the setting ! If the story is set on a boat, try to use analogies having to do with water or islands. Remember the example with the sand and the snow. In that case, the problem was that the setting was all wrong – snow doesn’t belong on a warm, sandy beach!

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Writing An Analogy

TIP Sheet WRITING AN ANALOGY

An analogy is an extended comparison between two things usually thought of as unlike. Analogies illustrate and explain by moving from the familiar to the unfamiliar, comparing several points, each of which has a counterpoint. For example, here is an analogy in which an engineering student explains something relatively unknown (loading a tanker) by using her knowledge of something known (filling pop bottles):

A tank truck usually holds between 4,000 and 6,000 gallons of gasoline. Depending on the tanker, three to six individual compartments hold 600 to 900 gallons of gasoline apiece. The tank that contains the compartments is elliptically shaped to distribute the pressure equally and to allow a more complete flow of air when the gasoline is delivered.

Until recently the only way to load a tanker was to climb up on top, where the openings to the compartments are located. You can easily picture this by visualizing six pop bottles lined up in single file on a table. A man wants to fill up bottle three, so he takes the cap off. He then inserts a small hose into the neck of the bottle and turns on a faucet which is connected to the hose.

A gasoline tanker is loaded in a similar way, but on a much larger scale. A man climbs on top of the tanker and opens a particular compartment by removing the cap. He then takes a hose with a four-foot metal pipe down into the "bottle" (the compartment hole), which measures four inches in diameter. A pump is then turned on, allowing the gasoline to flow into the compartment.

Know your audience In the (admittedly unlikely) event her readers had no prior knowledge of pop bottles, however, this analogy might not be particularly informative. The writer chose this analogy based on the likely knowledge of her audience. When you construct an analogy, be certain that the familiar or known side of the analogy is really familiar and known to your reader. It is useless to explain a mineral's crystal-lattice structure by reference to analytic geometry if your reader knows nothing about analytic geometry.

All of us know many things that we can use to help a reader understand an idea better. Here a geology major shows how the oil seismograph works by comparing it to shouting at a cliff wall:

The oil seismograph is a small portable electronic instrument that detects and measures artificial earthquakes. The purpose of the instrument is to find geological structures that may contain oil. The oil seismograph instrument is not mysterious because it can be compared to shouting at a cliff wall.

Imagine yourself standing near the base of a large cliff. If you shout at the cliff face, you will get an echo because the sound waves bounce back from the "interface" where air meets rock. The sound waves travel at 1,100 feet per second. You can find out how far you are standing from the cliff by measuring the time it takes for your shout to travel from you to the cliff and back again, and then by solving a simple formula for distance.

The function of the oil seismograph is to find out how far down in the earth the horizontal layers of rock are. To discover this distance, the oil seismologist digs a deep hole (usually 100-200 feet). At the bottom of the hole, he explodes a heavy charge of dynamite. Ground waves travel from the explosion down to the layers of rock. At each major interface between the layers, the waves bounce back to the surface. The explosion is similar to shouting at the cliff. Just as sound travels through the air at a certain speed, ground waves travel through the earth, although much faster. Ground waves bounce from rock interfaces as sound waves bounce from a cliff face. And the seismologist can determine distance just as you can determine the distance between you and the cliff.

Know your limits It is said that all analogies limp, that is, they are useful for illustration only as far as they remain reasonable. Therefore, do not try to stretch an analogy too far. Like the fabled camel who first put his nose in the man's tent, then his head and finally his whole body, pushing the man out of the tent, analogies can get out of control unless you know when to stop. Cut out or explain any points that cannot be logically compared.

For example, it might be a fair analogy to say that some professional athletes are treated like kings, that they receive special homage from the public and exemption from some rules, that they are more an expense and a pampered group than an asset to the community. But, except for comic effect, it would be overstatement to compare the equestrian charge of a king at an enemy with a football lineman's charge from the line of scrimmage. Likewise, it would be ridiculous to claim that modern athletes believe themselves divinely ordained to lead their country, or that professional athlete-ship is handed down from father to son by divine right. Just because certain similarities between athletes and kings exist, it doesn't follow that every kingly attribute manifests in modern-day athletes. Do not overconnect the subjects being compared.

Good analogies are vivid and logical, and while they cannot prove an argument, they can offer a picture that is very persuasive.

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Analogy in Writing (Definition, How To Write + Examples)

What is an analogy?

An analogy is a figurative of speech that allows the writer to express one thing by comparing it to another apparently unrelated thing. When your high school teacher said, “Camels are the ships of the desert”, they did not mean camels are ships. They meant camels do the same job as a ship does in the sea – transportation.

Analogy in writing helps connect familiar things to unfamiliar things and this in turn helps the reader understand the scenario better. An analogy compares and relates to two objects at once and forms a meaningful connection that helps explain a point better.

Analogies use other literary devices like similes and metaphors to form comparisons. It helps by connecting an unfamiliar thing to a familiar thing fo the ease of understanding.

The word analogies come from the ancient Greek word  analogos  which means ‘proportionate’.

What are the types of analogy?

There are two types of analogy that we understand: identical relationships, and abstract concepts.

Identical Relationship

Dark is to light as on is to off.

You have often come across this kind of sentence. This is what is called forming identical relationships. It is where one idea is paralleled to another idea of the same pattern. Dark and light here have the same relation as on and off in the above sentence.

Most identical relationships have the sentence pattern of ‘A is to B as C is to D’.

• Airplane is to sky as ship is to sea.
• Soil is to plant as house is to human.

At times identical analogies can be extended in a way to express the intense relationship two things of people share. For example, “Books are to Sarah as water is to plant”, or “Chewing bubble gum is to Marty as drinking is to drunkards.” These are used to exaggerate and express the relation between two things or people or any habits they have.

Abstract Concept

Abstract concept analogies compares two unrelated things that have a similar pattern. For example, raising children and gardening are often compared. We have come across the saying that “ Raising children is like gardening. ” They share this analogy because both of these tasks require tending, patience ans a lot of care.

Let us take another example. “ Recovering lost money is like finding needle in a haystack .” This sentence connects recovering lost money and finding needle in a stack of hay because both of these activities bear unfruitful results and are not worth wasting time on.

This kind of analogy helps in concretizing abstract ideas by connecting them to something tangible and graspable by the human mind.

Examples of Analogy in Literature

Some analogy examples from great literature are as follows:

Romeo and Juliet , William Shakespeare

“ What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called. “

‘ A Hanging ’, George Orwell

“ They crowded very close about him, with their hands always on him in a careful, caressing grip, as though all the while feeling him to make sure he was there. It was like men handling a fish which is still alive and may jump back into the water. “

Kamand Kojouri

“ Reading poetry is like undressing before a bath. You don’t undress out of fear that your clothes will become wet. You undress because you want the water to touch you. You want to completely immerse yourself in the feeling of the water and to emerge anew. “

Macbeth , William Shakespeare

“ Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing. “

Let Me Count the Ways , Peter De Vries

“ If you want my final opinion on the mystery of life and all that, I can give it to you in a nutshell. The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination. But the combination is locked up in the safe. “

Sootfall and Fallout , EB White

“A nation wearing atomic armor is like a knight whose armor has grown so heavy he is immobilized; he can hardly walk, hardly sit his horse, hardly think, hardly breathe. The H-bomb is an extremely effective deterrent to war, but it has little virtue as a weapon of war, because it would leave the world uninhabitable. “

‘ There is no frigate like a book ’, Emily Dickinson

“ There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul!”

‘ Night Clouds ’ , Amy Lowell

“ The white mares of the moon rush along the sky

Beating their golden hoofs upon the glass Heavens;

The white mares of the moon are all standing on their hind legs

Pawing at the green porcelain doors of the remote Heavens. “

Why is an analogy used in writing?

Like every literary device, an analogy is used in literature as a tool to express something better. Analogies should be used to familiarize your audience with complicated ideas or inspire them with big ones.

Analogy also helps writers create a vivid picture of the deeper thought they are going for and this in turn better engages the reader’s mind.

How to use analogies in your writing?

Analogies are everywhere. We use verbal analogies in everyday speech, often with the intention of expressing a point. A good analogy improves the quality of writing. And writing a good analogy can be achieved by many ways. Think of it like a logical argument, especially i case of identical analogies. For abstract idea, find a familiar pattern that fits your writing. Let us understand in detail.

• Opting for  commonly understood things  can familiarize the reader with what you are trying to express.
• Try to use the  compare and contrast  technique to make your analogies more powerful.
• Understand what type of figurative language would complement your  audience .
• An effective analogy is simple, easy to understand, and  inspires   your readers .

Examples of Analogies

Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall.

Living my life like there is no tomorrow.

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.”  ( Forrest Gump )

A puppy is to a dog as a kitten is to a cat.

A hammer is to nail as a master is to a butler.

The book was a roller coaster of emotions.

“Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo.”  (Don Marquis)

A car is to me as a ship is to a sailor.

“Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal them up, but to help them open and reveal the riches within. There are pearls in each of us, if only we knew how to cultivate them with ardor and persistence.”  (Sydney J. Harris,  What True Education Should Do )

“Dumb gorgeous people should not be allowed to use literature when competing in the pick-up pool. It’s like bald people wearing hats.”  ( Broken Hearts Club )

• Analogy is a literary device in the English language that compares and contrasts closely related things together or things that share the same relationship or pattern.
• Analogies are of two types: identical and abstract. Identical analogies compare two pairs of things that share similar relationships. Abstract analogies compare two things that same the same pattern or attribute.
• Effective analogies should be easy to comprehend, familiar, and inspiring to the readers. Analogy uses similes and metaphors to make comparisons.
• An analogy should be used to express a new idea better. The ultimate goal of an analogy should be to make the reader understand a complex idea using literary devices such as analogy.

Tomas Laurinavicius

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Analogy: Definition & Meaning (with Examples)

Analogy is one of the most common types of literary devices. It's also one of the hardest to understand because it's similar to other types of figurative language. Today, we're going to dive into the meaning of analogy with in-depth explanations and examples.

Analogy Definition: What Is an Analogy?

Let's start with the dictionary definition of an analogy. According to Merriam-Webster, an analogy is "a comparison of two otherwise unlike things based on a resemblance of a particular aspect."

We use analogies all the time in speaking and fields like history and science. They help us illustrate a point that might be hard to comprehend. For example, we might make an analogy between the Trail of Tears of U.S. History and the Jewish Diaspora of World History. In biology, you might discuss the analogous relationship of bat wings and bird wings.

As a literary device, however, analogy's meaning has more nuance that separates it from other types of rhetorical devices. Let's look at the literary meaning of analogy in more detail in the next section.

Analogy Meaning

As a rhetorical device, analogy compares two unlike things with the purpose of both illustrating a comparison and explaining it. You aren't just trying to show a similarity when you use an analogy. You are also trying to make a point about this similarity.

Analogies can be useful to explain complex concepts by comparing them to a familiar idea. Analogies also help paint a picture in a reader's mind and add emphasis to important ideas in writing.

Let's take a look at a popular example of an analogy from the movie Forrest Gump . In the movie, Forrest says that his mother always told him, "Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get."

If Forrest just said that life was like a box of chocolates, we would wonder what the similarity is. What point is he trying to get across? It might be that life is sweet or that life is a gift from someone who loves you. But then he explains that we never know where life will take us or what circumstances we will fall into. We don't know until we get there; we can't see the future.

He's not just painting a picture about life. He's making a point about the uncertainty of life and the many twists and turns it takes. This analogy goes further and illustrates the entire premise of the film. Forrest goes from being a boy in leg braces to an international ping pong champion to a dad. No one could have predicted that!

Analogies look similar to other types of figurative language. So, what's the difference?

Analogy vs. Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that shows a likeness between two otherwise different things. The point of a metaphor is comparison. For example, we can say, "the kids were a bunch of monkeys today." We are comparing kids to monkeys.

An analogy not only compares but explains. "The kids were a bunch of monkeys today, climbing all over the furniture, running all over the house, and shrieking."

As you can see, an analogy might feature a metaphor, but it goes further in making a point. This is also different from an extended metaphor. An extended metaphor continues to use a comparison to illustrate similarities of two objects. An analogy requires some explicit explanation to make its point.

Analogy vs. Simile

A simile is a type of metaphor, but it uses "like" or "as" to draw comparisons. Just like with a metaphor, an analogy might use a simile to compare two things, but then the analogy goes on to explain the idea behind it.

The Forrest Gump quote is an example of this. The part of the quote, "Life is like a box of chocolates," is a simile. The next part of the quote that tells how life and a box of chocolates are related is what makes this quote an analogy.

Many analogies use similes and metaphors to make comparisons, but it is not required.

Analogy vs. Allusion

Another figurative language element that is easy to confuse with analogy is allusion.

Allusion is a mention of a person, place, or thing that is considered common knowledge. It's often a reference to a famous person or event or a well-known story, like fairy tales, myths, or religious parables.

Allusion is a way to compare two things. Let's look at an example:

• "The books on the top shelf were forbidden fruit."

Forbidden fruit refers to the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Bible. This is an allusion. We can draw enough conclusions from this allusion to understand what the books represent.

Allusions can be part of analogies, too. Remember, where allusions compare, analogies explain:

• "If the library was Eden, the books on the top shelf were forbidden fruit. They opened my eyes to a world beyond the life I had always known."

All of these are useful types of figurative language. The difference lies in the purpose. If the goal is to explain an idea or get a specific point across, it's an analogy.

A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package.

Analogies, idioms, and clichés.

Sometimes analogies become so well-known that they become part of our everyday lexicon. Idioms are phrases that don't make sense literally, but they do make sense figuratively. Overused idioms can become clichés.

An example of an analogy that is a cliché is "she's as blind as a bat." It's a very overused comparison. Use ProWritingAid's Clichés Report to help identify the clichés and idioms in your writing. While some common analogies might help you get your point across, some can actually hinder your writing's clarity, especially to non-native speakers.

Try the Cliché Report with a free ProWritingAid account.

Analogy Examples

You probably hear or read analogy examples all the time—they're a common rhetorical device. Today, we'll take a look at some analogy examples from everyday sentences and literature.

Examples of Analogy in a Sentence

Humans love figurative language, and we create analogies in our everyday speech. Here are some examples.

• Ordering clothes online is like playing the lottery. Some fit great, and some are a complete waste of money when they don't even go over your head!
• His voice was warm honey on toast, sweet and comforting and familiar.
• She thought the sound of babies crying was as annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard. Babies definitely weren't for her.

Can you create any analogies?

Examples of Analogy in Literature

Analogy is a powerful rhetorical device. Here are some famous examples of analogy in literature:

• "All the world’s a stage / And all the men and women merely players / They have their exits and their entrances / And one man in his time plays many parts / His acts being seven ages."— As You Like It , William Shakespeare
• “I can admire the perfect murderer—I can also admire a tiger—that splendid tawny-striped beast. But I will admire him from outside his cage. I will not go inside . . . . That is to say, not unless it is my duty to do so. For you see, Mr. Shaitana, the tiger might spring . . . .”— Cards on the Table , Agatha Christie
• "Memory is to love what the saucer is to the cup."— The House in Paris , Elizabeth Bowen

Tips on How to Write an Analogy

When you're writing an analogy to express an idea, it's important to keep two things in mind. First, make sure that at least one of the two things you're comparing is familiar and easy to understand. An analogy should make your point clear to the reader, not leave them confused! Animal or nature imagery, allusions to well-known tales, and everyday objects are good things to use in your analogies.

Secondly, make sure that your comparison is clear without much explanation. If you compare a shy, demure princess to a tiger, you need to explain what specific aspects of the princess and the tiger are similar. Is she ferocious when her loved ones are attacked? Does she prefer to spend time alone outdoors and seethe when caged?

If it takes too many sentences to explain the analogy, try using different imagery that is simpler to understand.

Different Types of Analogy

There are two main types of analogy. These are based on how closely related the two things being compared are.

Literal Analogy

The first type of analogy is a literal analogy. When two things are very closely related, we compare them with literal analogies. These are the types of analogies commonly used in science. Literal analogies can help scientists draw comparisons or make a logical argument.

For example, a virologist might compare the viral structure of two different viruses. If the virus has a similar structure and similar symptoms to another, they are analogous. This will help them theorize that the second virus can be treated similarly to the first.

Literal analogies don't have to be just for science! If you're a baker, you might know that you can make a cheesecake out of either cream cheese or mascarpone. As an analogy, we can say that mascarpone is a lot like cream cheese. They both have high fat content, are very soft, and are not aged.

Literal analogies are the type you might see on standardized tests. They used to feature on the SAT and looked like this: A:B::C:D. You can read literal analogies as "A is to B as C is to D."

Here's a simple example:

• Night is to sleep as morning is to wake .

Standardized tests would have one or more of the words blank, and you had to determine the connection in the analogy. How are they connected?

Figurative Analogy

A figurative analogy makes a comparison between two or more things that aren't necessarily that similar at first glance. The analogy focuses on making a comparison based on a specific aspect of the unrelated things. This is called shared abstraction .

Take a look at the following analogy:

• "Giving candy and coffee as appreciation gifts is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. It's not actually fixing the issues that are causing low morale, like low pay, long hours, and micromanaging."

If the Titanic is sinking, it's pointless to rearrange deck chairs. Likewise, this quote suggests spending money on little gifts is pointless because it's not addressing the real issues at hand that are causing employee dissatisfaction.

No one is suggesting that low morale at a company is the same thing as the hundreds of lives lost on the Titanic. The shared abstraction is doing something pointless in the face of a disaster.

Should You Use Analogies in Your Writing?

Analogies are powerful literary devices because they create an image in the reader's mind while making a point in a deeper way than a metaphor. Remember, an analogy compares two objects with the purpose of explaining a deeper idea. A literal analogy compares two very similar objects, while a figurative analogy relies on shared abstractions.

Common Questions about Analogy: Definition & Meaning (with Examples)

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Metaphors and Analogies: How to Use Them in Your Academic Life

Certain Experiences in life can't be captured in simple words. Especially if you are a writer trying to connect with your audience, you will need special threads to evoke exact feelings.

There are many literary devices to spark the readers' imagination, and analogies and metaphors are one of that magical arsenal. They enrich your text and give it the exact depth it will need to increase your readers' heartbeat.

Taking a particular characteristic and associating it with the other not only enriches your text's linguistic quality but gives the reader a correct pathway to deeper layers of a writer's psyche.

In this article, we are going to take a good look at the difference between analogy and metaphor and how to use them in your academic writing, and you will find some of the most powerful examples for each. Learn more about this and other vital linguistic tools on our essay writer service website.

What are Metaphors: Understanding the Concept

Let's discuss the metaphors definition. Metaphors are a figure of speech that compares two unrelated concepts or ideas to create a deeper and more profound meaning. They are a powerful tool in academic writing to express abstract concepts using different analogies, which can improve the reader's understanding of complex topics. Metaphors enable writers to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind by comparing something familiar with an abstract concept that is harder to grasp.

The following are some of the most famous metaphors and their meanings:

• The world is your oyster - the world is full of opportunities just waiting for you to grab them
• Time is money - time is a valuable commodity that must be spent wisely
• A heart of stone - someone who is emotionally cold and unfeeling

Analogies Meaning: Mastering the Essence

Analogies, on the other hand, are a comparison of two concepts or ideas that have some similarity in their features. They are used to clarify complex ideas or to make a new concept more relatable by comparing it to something that is already familiar.

Analogies are often followed by an explanation of how the two concepts are similar, which helps the reader to understand and make connections between seemingly disparate ideas. For example, in academic writing, if you were explaining the function of a cell membrane, you might use an analogy, such as comparing it to a security gate that regulates what enters and exits a building.

Check out these famous analogies examples:

• Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.
• Teaching a child without education is like building a house without a foundation.
• A good friend is like a four-leaf clover; hard to find and lucky to have.

Benefits of Metaphors and Analogies in Writing

Chances are you are wondering why we use analogies and metaphors in academic writing anyway?

The reason why metaphors are beneficial to writers, especially in the academic field, is that they offer an effective approach to clarifying intricate concepts and enriching comprehension by linking them to more familiar ideas. Through the use of relatable frames of reference, these figures of speech help authors communicate complicated notions in an appealing and comprehensible way.

Additionally, analogies and metaphors are a way of artistic expression. They bring creativity and imagination to your writing, making it engaging and memorable for your readers. Beautiful words connect with readers on a deeper emotional level, allowing them to better retain and appreciate the information being presented. Such linguistic devices allow readers to open doors for imagination and create visual images in their minds, creating a more individualized experience.

However, one must be mindful not to plagiarize famous analogies and always use original ideas or appropriately cite sources when necessary. Overall, metaphors and analogies add depth and beauty to write-ups, making them memorable for years to come.

Understanding the Difference Between Analogy and Metaphor

While metaphors and analogies serve the similar purpose of clarifying otherwise complex ideas, they are not quite the same. Follow the article and learn how they differ from each other.

One way to differentiate between analogies and metaphors is through the use of 'as' and 'like.' Analogies make an explicit comparison using these words, while metaphors imply a comparison without any overt indication.

There is an obvious difference between their structure. An analogy has two parts; the primary subject, which is unfamiliar, and a secondary subject which is familiar to the reader. For example, 'Life is like a box of chocolates.' The two subjects are compared, highlighting their similarities in order to explain an entire concept.

On the other hand, a metaphor describes an object or idea by referring to something else that is not literally applicable but shares some common features. For example, 'He drowned in a sea of grief.'

The structural difference also defines the difference in their usage. Analogies are often used in academic writing where hard concepts need to be aligned with an easier and more familiar concept. This assists the reader in comprehending complex ideas more effortlessly. Metaphors, on the other hand, are more often used in creative writing or literature. They bring depth and nuance to language, allowing for abstract ideas to be communicated in a more engaging and imaginative way.

Keep reading and discover examples of metaphors and analogies in both academic and creative writing. While you are at it, our expert writers are ready to provide custom essays and papers which incorporate these literary devices in a seamless and effective way.

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You’re the master of dark humor and love standing out with your unconventional style. Your perfect costume? A modern twist on Wednesday Addams’ gothic look. You’ll own Halloween with your unapologetically eerie vibe. 🖤🕸️

Using Famous Analogies Can Raise Plagiarism Concerns!

To avoid the trouble, use our online plagiarism checker and be sure that your work is original before submitting it.

Analogies and Metaphors Examples

There were a few analogies and metaphors examples mentioned along the way, but let's explore a few more to truly understand their power. Below you will find the list of metaphors and analogies, and you will never mistake one for the other again.

• Love is like a rose, beautiful but with thorns.
• The human body is like a machine, with many intricate parts working together in harmony.
• The structure of an atom is similar to a miniature solar system, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus.
• A computer's motherboard is like a city's central system, coordinating and communicating all functions.
• The brain is like a muscle that needs constant exercise to function at its best.
• Studying for exams is like training for a marathon; it requires endurance and preparation.
• Explaining a complex scientific concept is like explaining a foreign language to someone who doesn't speak it.
• A successful team is like a well-oiled machine, with each member playing a crucial role.
• Learning a new skill is like planting a seed; it requires nurturing and patience to see growth.
• Navigating through life is like sailing a ship with unpredictable currents and changing winds.
• Life is a journey with many twists and turns along the way
• The world's a stage, and we are all mere players.
• Her eyes were pools of sorrow, reflecting the pain she felt.
• Time is a thief, stealing away moments we can never recapture.
• Love is a flame, burning brightly but at risk of being extinguished.
• His words were daggers piercing through my heart.
• She had a heart of stone, unable to feel empathy or compassion.
• The city was a jungle, teeming with life and activity.
• Hope is a beacon, guiding us through the darkest of times.
• His anger was a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

How to Use Metaphors and Analogies in Writing: Helpful Tips

If you want your readers to have a memorable and engaging experience, you should give them some level of autonomy within your own text. Metaphors and analogies are powerful tools to let your audience do their personal interpretation and logical conclusion while still guiding them in the right direction.

First, learn about your audience and their level of familiarity with the topic you're writing about. Incorporate metaphors and analogies with familiar references. Remember, literary devices should cleverly explain complex concepts. To achieve the goal, remain coherent with the theme of the paper. But be careful not to overuse metaphors or analogies, as too much of a good thing can make your writing feel overloaded.

Use figurative language to evoke visual imagery and breathe life into your paper. Multiple metaphors can turn your paper into a movie. Visualizing ideas will help readers better understand and retain the information.

In conclusion, anytime is a great time to extend your text's impact by adding a well-chosen metaphor or analogy. But perfection is on the border of good and bad, so keep in mind to remain coherent with the theme and not overuse any literary device.

Metaphors: Unveiling Their Cultural Significance

Metaphors are not limited to just academic writing but can also be found in various forms of culture, such as art, music, film, and television. Metaphors have been a popular element in creative expression for centuries and continue to play a significant role in modern-day culture. For instance, metaphors can help artists convey complex emotions through their music or paintings.

Metaphors are often like time capsules, reflecting the cultural and societal values of a particular era. They shelter the prevailing beliefs, ideals, and philosophies of their time - from the pharaohs of ancient Egypt to modern-day pop culture.

Metaphors often frame our perception of the world and can shape our understanding of our surroundings. Certain words can take on new meanings when used metaphorically in certain cultural contexts and can assimilate to the phenomenon it is often compared to.

Here you can find a list of literature and poems with metaphors:

• William Shakespeare loved using metaphors, and here's one from his infamous Macbeth: 'It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.'
• Victor Hugo offers a timeless metaphor in Les Misérables: 'She is a rose, delicate and beautiful, but with thorns to protect her.'
• Robert Frost reminds us of his genius in the poem The Road Not Traveled: 'The road less traveled.'

Movies also contain a wide range of English metaphors:

• A famous metaphor from Toy Story: 'There's a snake in my boot!'
• A metaphor from the famous movie Silver Lining Playbook: 'Life is a game, and true love is a trophy.'
• An all-encompassing and iconic metaphor from the movie Star Wars: 'Fear is the path to the dark side.'

Don't forget about famous songs with beautiful metaphors!

• Bob Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind uses a powerful metaphor when he asks: 'How many roads must a man walk down?'
• A metaphor from Johnny Cash's song Ring of Fire: 'Love is a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring.'
• Bonnie Tyler's famous lyrics from Total Eclipse of the Heart make a great metaphor: 'Love is a mystery, everyone must stand alone.'

Keep reading the article to find out how to write an essay with the effective use of metaphors in academic writing.

Exploring Types of Metaphors

There is a wide variety of metaphors used in academic writing, literature, music, and film. Different types of metaphors can be used to convey different meanings and create a specific impact or evoke a vivid image.

Some common types of metaphors include similes / simple metaphors, implicit metaphors, explicit metaphors, extended metaphors, mixed metaphors, and dead metaphors. Let's take a closer look at some of these types.

Simple metaphors or similes highlight the similarity between two things using 'like' or 'as.' For example, 'Her eyes were as bright as the stars.'

Implicit metaphors do not make a direct comparison. Instead, they imply the similarity between the two concepts. An example of an implicit metaphor is 'Her words cut deep,' where the similarity between words and a knife is implied. Good metaphors are often implicit since they require the reader to use their own understanding and imagination to understand the comparison being made.

Explicit metaphors are straightforward, making a clear comparison between two things. For instance, 'He is a shining star.'

An extended metaphor, on the other hand, stretches the comparison throughout an entire literary work or section of a text. This type of metaphor allows the writer to create a more complex and elaborate comparison, enhancing the reader's understanding of the subject.

Mixed metaphors combine two or more unrelated metaphors, often leading to confusion and lack of clarity. If you are not an expert on the subject, try to avoid using confusing literary devices.

Dead metaphors are another danger. These are metaphors that have been overused to the extent that they have lost their original impact, becoming clichés and not being able to evoke original visual images.

In academic writing, metaphors create a powerful impact on the reader, adding color and depth to everyday language. However, they need to be well-placed and intentional. Using an inappropriate or irrelevant metaphor may confuse readers and distract them from the main message. If you want to avoid trouble, pay for essay writing service that can help you use metaphors effectively in your academic writing.

Exploring Types of Analogies

Like metaphors, analogies are divided into several categories. Some of the common types include literal analogies, figurative analogies, descriptive analogies, causal analogies, and false/dubious analogies. In academic writing, analogies are useful for explaining complex ideas or phenomena in a way that is easy to understand.

Literal analogies are direct comparisons of two things with similar characteristics or features. For instance, 'The brain is like a computer.'

Figurative analogies, on the other hand, compare two unrelated things to highlight a particular characteristic. For example, 'The mind is a garden that needs to be tended.'

Descriptive analogies focus on the detailed similarities between two things, even if they are not immediately apparent. For example, 'The relationship between a supervisor and an employee is like that of a coach and a player, where the coach guides the player to perform at their best.'

Causal analogies are used to explain the relationship between a cause and an effect. For instance, 'The increase in global temperatures is like a fever caused by environmental pollution.'

Finally, false/dubious analogies are comparisons that suggest a similarity between two things that actually have little in common. For example, 'Getting a college degree is like winning the lottery.'

If you are trying to explain a foreign concept to an audience that may not be familiar with it, analogies can help create a bridge and make the concept more relatable. However, coming up with a perfect analogy takes a lot of time. If you are looking for ways on how to write an essay fast , explore our blog and learn even more.

If you want your academic papers to stand out and be engaging for the reader, using metaphors and analogies can be a powerful tool. Now that you know the difference between analogy and metaphor, you can use them wisely to create a bridge between complex ideas and your audience.

Explore our blog for more information on different writing techniques, and check out our essay writing service for more help on crafting the perfect papers.

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Enchanting Marketing

Writing advice for small business

Boring Topic? Here’s How to Inject a Dash of Fun (and Personality!)

by Henneke | 65 enchanting opinions, add yours? :)

Hannah feels stuck.

She has picked a good topic for her next blog post. She’s sure her readers will find it helpful.

But she’s soooo afraid her post will be boring that she can’t start writing. She fears her blog post will be like a bland chicken without salt, without chilies, and without any herbs or spices.

Who’d enjoy eating that?

Hannah would prefer a fiery, fragrant, smoky Jerk chicken .

She gently massages her temples to stave off an upcoming headache, and sips her Jasmine tea, almost burning her tongue. Then she decides to check out her favorite writing blog to learn how to make a boring topic interesting.

Can she inject a dose of creativity?

Analogies add pizzazz to any topic

Analogies make your blog post unique. They help shape your voice and make your writing stand out. They add fun to boring blog posts, and even help explain your topic better. What’s more, they give you an opportunity to tell stories.

The first time I used an analogy in a blog post, I was nervous. Would readers think it was weird? Would they think it was childish? Was I making a fool of myself?

I was tossing and turning at night, and woke up with knots in my stomach. But, I mustered the courage to click Publish .

In that first post featuring an analogy, I compared content marketing with tour leading . For instance:

It’s easy to think of big gestures. A big launch. Your best-ever ebook. A guest post on a major blog. But small things can make a massive difference, too. For instance: Giving 14 tourists a pair of cheap chopsticks. Buying a huge watermelon to share. Such cheap treats create a feel-good atmosphere. In a digital world it’s easy to give away stuff and build a loyal audience. What does it cost you to share your expertise? Inspire your audience. Share generously.

After that first little success, I became braver, I was finding my voice, and I introduced analogies and metaphors more often in my writing. It helped me connect with readers on more levels. People who love cooking send me emails or leave comments about their favorite food. Readers who love cycling share stories about their cycling adventures.

Analogies give readers a peek into your life, and you can draw your inspiration from many different life experiences such as parenting, gardening, travelling, or sports. Each topic gives you an opportunity to share stories outside your business expertise and to become more human in your writing.

How to use analogies in your blog posts

I’ve used two different structures for blog posts with analogies.

One structure is the circle post, where you introduce the analogy in the opening, ignore it in the main body, and then circle back in the final paragraph. For instance, in my post about writing styles , the introduction explains the concept of umami:

Have you heard of umami? It’s the 5th taste. (…) It is often translated as a savory taste; and soy sauce, steak, mushrooms, broth, and even some cheese all have umami. I used to think it was a weird idea. How can mushrooms be similar in taste as a sizzling steak? But once you learn to detect umami, you start to appreciate its tantalizing power. A good writing style has umami, too. But what is it?

And the final paragraph deepens the analogy:

Umami comes from the Japanese word umai—deliciousness. Kazu Katoh, a Japanese chef, said about umami: “It’s something that’s kind to the body. (…) It’s about feeling good after eating.” Isn’t that what we strive for as writers, too? To write something not just nutritious but also delicious to read … something that lingers in our readers’ minds—like the taste of a mature cheese or a mushroom risotto or a stir-fried beef with ginger, broccoli, and fish sauce.

The circle structure is a neat way to make your post feel finished as you reinforce and add depth to your starting point.

The second option for transforming your post is to write a series of tips, and for each tip expand the analogy. For instance, in my blog post about smooth reading experiences, I compare types of transitional phrases to bicycle maintenance tricks. The first transition trick is a drop of oil:

Just like drops of oil make your bicycle chain move without friction, transitional words make readers glide through your content.

And the last transition trick is an industrial-strength lubricant:

Bicyclists can argue for hours about the best way to keep your bike chain free from rust. Use WD-40. Use Tri-flow. Use light oil. Re-lube more often. But your content requires a mix of tricks for the smoothest reading experience. And you know the strongest lube to keep your readers hooked? That’s the use of seductive subheads.

Just like we adapt our favorite recipes to our personal tastes, analogies are personal, too. They reveal more about you as a person—what interests you and what you do outside of work.

Analogy examples

For more details, check out the full posts:

• The garden analogy in my post on making money from blogging >>
• My infamous post about tour leading and content marketing >>
• The analogy between traffic blocks for cyclists and website goofs >>
• The analogy between smooth cycling and reading experiences >>
• The unwelcoming experience in a hotel compared to the experiences of web visitors >>
• My post about umami in writing >>
• The analogy between 4 types of weak words and bland food >>
• The food stories in this post about scrumptious blogging tips >>

Dream up your own analogies

To come up with an analogy, start with giving yourself permission to have fun. Create a sense of play to look for connections between two completely different topics. To make an analogy work, compare things at the same level—a process to a process, or a thing to a thing, or a role to a role.

Boundaries can make us more creative, so consider to focus on one specific domain for your analogy, such as gardening, cooking, travelling, sports, or art. Choose a topic you know well so it’s easier to come up with similarities.

When you try too hard and focus too much, you might get tunnel vision and block your creativity. So, if you’re feeling stuck, get away from your desk or computer. Analogies often pop up in my mind when I’m out on my bike, or when walking in the woods, washing the dishes, or cooking.

Another trick is to think visually . What picture can you draw for a blog post?

Make readers crave for more

In December 2010, I cycled with my husband in Malaysia. We finished our tour in Kuala Lumpur, and we sampled barbecued chicken wings at an outdoor market. We had to go back for more.

Now, almost 10 years later, I still remember those chicken wings. We still talk about them at home. The smokiness, the spiciness, the sweetness, the stickiness. Maybe one day, I’ll go back to Kuala Lumpur, and I hope more chicken wings are waiting for me.

A good analogy can make your writing memorable, too.

Readers will start recognizing your voice, and they’ll crave hearing more.

They’ll be happy when you turn up in their inbox, eagerly clicking to read your next blog post.

Happy cooking!

More examples of creative imagery in writing:

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Reader Interactions

Leave a comment and join the conversation cancel reply.

April 2, 2021 at 8:01 pm

I have always hated writing growing up and still do. I’m now learning that writing is a very useful and underrated skill to have. I’ve found your blog to be so helpful and inspiring to start writing! I only wish I started sooner.

I’m trying to become a Board Certified Teacher and the process requires a lot of reflective and analytical writing. Do you have tips, tricks, or blog post to help? Thank you!

April 2, 2021 at 8:13 pm

I wasn’t into writing when I was growing up either. I only started writing in my early 40s, and I’ve worked with a few people in their 70s and 80s who want to improve their writing. So, don’t feel sad about not starting sooner. You’re probably ready to learn now!

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ve written specifically about reflective and analytical writing. I usually write a post at the end of each year about what I’ve learned in the year but I’ve not written about the process for doing that and I’m not sure it’s the kind of writing that’s expected for a certification. I’m more focused on how to write to promote a business but the tips often work for lots of different types of writing.

December 21, 2020 at 7:20 am

I just started volunteering as a blog writer and although they have been happy with my blog posts, I’ve been feeling like they fall flat and I can’t find my unique voice. I’m so happy I discovered this site! I think this information will really help me out and inspire me. I couldn’t be more amazed and grateful, this information was just what I needed.

Do you have any advice about ways to stay creative or be inspired? I feel like when I was younger I was oozing with creativity, especially in my writing. But now it seems like such a struggle…I don’t know where or when that part of me dwindled or why.

December 21, 2020 at 1:40 pm

Your creativity is still there; it can just take some time to reconnect. So, be gentle with yourself. Also, consider what resources can spark your creativity. Part of creativity is turning it back into a habit; and part of it is ensuring that we have the right input to be creative (problems with creative output are often input problems). You may find this infographic I made useful: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/creative-habits/

Happy writing!

December 10, 2020 at 9:38 pm

This has got to be the best thing I stumbled upon all day.

I know I initiate a great conversation with my blog posts but this is on a whole new level.

To think the new year is upon us? I’ve got to refine my writing style and see how my audience gets hooked the more.

Thanks for this fresh air!

December 11, 2020 at 9:54 am

Thank you, Noble. I’m glad you enjoyed this. Happy writing!

October 4, 2020 at 1:24 pm

I never thought about incorporating analogies into my writing but after reading your post I can see how it makes the writing come much more alive

October 4, 2020 at 4:40 pm

I hope you’ll have fun with using metaphors, too. Happy writing, Jennifer! And thank you for stopping by.

October 3, 2020 at 10:19 am

The drop of oil on your bicycle chain feels way more effective since I need to use oil all the time to keep my antique sock knitting machine running 😉 Funny how that works.

You do have a preference for food analogies, don’t you? I don’t care much for food – at least I am not a foodie – so I never think of those.

Interesting how your own preferences play a role in anything you write.

October 4, 2020 at 4:39 pm

Funny that drops of oil keep your sock knitting machine running, too. Never knew there were similarities between sock knitting and cycling 😉

And yes, I love food metaphors best. But I try not to overdo it because I know not everyone is into food.

September 26, 2020 at 11:20 am

Hahaha.. Really very interesting topic Henneke. ya precisely not all blogs are engaging and interesting but mostly helpful. For the boring topics we can read it joyfully in our own way. By singing, By making lyrics of the song or something else what u enjoy mostly. Loved this blog. Thanks for submitting this.

September 26, 2020 at 12:53 pm

But why put the onus on the reader to make the reading experience interesting by singing a text? If writers can do their best to make an article more interesting to read, surely more people will read it?

September 30, 2020 at 4:56 am

Sounds good Henneke. Well said the writers have to make the articles more interesting for the users. I am just saying that if someone get boring to read then they can, if they comfortable to read by singing a text. Instead, the readers move on to the other articles.

September 23, 2020 at 10:09 am

I read every single word of this post. You had me hooked. I love analogies too, but I never use it in works I publish online. But I’ll change that after reading this article. Thank you Henneke

September 23, 2020 at 2:27 pm

Thank you for your compliment (and for stopping by), Nathan. Happy writing!

September 22, 2020 at 8:53 am

I used to think that a well-optimized article for SEO must be as simple as possible. That I should write with the vocabulary of a 7th-grade kid. That I shouldn’t inject anything I personally find funny. That I shouldn’t use analogy and metaphor. But wow, your words right here is literally my epiphany. Thanks a lot 😍

September 22, 2020 at 9:15 am

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Alice. 🙂

Even Google wants us to write for our readers and to get them to dwell on our page and read from the first to the last word. I’ve not seen any negative impact from using metaphors and analogies in my writing (but I’ve not tested in any way). This site gets quite a lot of organic search traffic.

September 18, 2020 at 7:27 am

Sometimes I stagger but this is a push. And I’m going to have a hike. Thank you.

September 18, 2020 at 5:12 pm

Happy writing, Enock! Thank you for stopping by.

September 11, 2020 at 1:23 am

Wow! Great Post, Henneke. It’s like you just called the life out of me. I’m a Freelance Writer, yes, I write in tones specified in clients’ description.

So, getting serious with my personal blog has been the most difficult of tasks because “I write the way everyone else does.”

But this is a wake-up call to friggin’ enjoy my writing process. To have fun, ooze fun and make my audience crave more.

Thanks again, Henneke

September 11, 2020 at 6:26 pm

Yes, please enjoy writing for your own blog. That’s where you can connect to your creative soul and experiment, and have fun.

September 10, 2020 at 7:05 am

Those are great ideas to come up with analogies!

What I like to personally do is have Google Keep on my phone and use the voice function whenever an idea comes up so I can potentially use it in the future.

You never know when the ideas pop so you might as well be ready at all times!

September 10, 2020 at 1:34 pm

That’s a great idea! I often ride my bike without a phone at hand so I’ve somehow figured out how to imprint ideas in my brain so I don’t forget.

September 10, 2020 at 2:48 am

Thanks for your blogs Henneke. Not only are they inspiring and fun, this one has heaps of new ideas for me 🙂

That’s great. Happy writing, Chris! 🙂

September 9, 2020 at 2:48 pm

analogy seems great.nice article I have tried it and yes it makes reading fun. I do say that your step by step guidance and your unique ways of teaching have been quite helpful. Thank you and keep up the good work.

September 9, 2020 at 4:46 pm

Thank you, Evans. I’m glad you’re enjoying my writing.

September 9, 2020 at 5:07 am

Hi Henneke, Posting my first comment after years of reading, enjoying and learning from your writing tips that you so generously share.

What triggered this comment is your idea of a circle structure for using an analogy. It gave a name to what I instinctively used yesterday, not for a blog post, but for a presentation at a Zoom webinar on adult learning. I started with the metaphor chosen by the host from a previous talk I had given “helping fish learn to fly,” then picked it up at the end with the idea of adult learning partnerships of “birds that have learned to swim and fish that have learned to fly.”

Again, thank you for your generous sharing of your ideas and experiences.

September 9, 2020 at 9:45 am

Thanks so much for sharing your experience of the circle technique in a webinar. That sounds good! There are so many similarities between good blogging and public speaking.

Also, thank you for continuing to read my blog for so many years. Your comment put a smile on my face 🙂

September 8, 2020 at 9:29 pm

You know, I loved your umami post. It was so bewitching. You seem to have a talent for presenting your words, though. That’s why I follow you. I want to be you, actually…..

September 9, 2020 at 9:47 am

I feel like I should pass the compliments on the Raymond Chandler as the quotes from his books helped me so much to write the umami post.

Thank you for stopping by again, Maria. I hope you’re keeping well and safe.

September 8, 2020 at 7:42 pm

Brilliant, as always. When I used to do IT work, I often made analogies to help people understand complex concepts. They’re great for helping people relate to challenging topics too 🙂 I also love metaphors. The nature of reality itself often appears as an overwhelming expanse of metaphors. Thanks Henneke!

September 8, 2020 at 8:46 pm

Yes, that’s so true—analogies are great for explaining complex (and abstract) topics.

Thank you for stopping by Robert. I’m glad you enjoyed this.

September 8, 2020 at 6:28 pm

this was great! I’ve used anologies and metaphors forever, but not in the sophisticated integrated ways you have laid out here. Thank You!

September 8, 2020 at 6:30 pm

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Nancy. Happy writing! 🙂

September 8, 2020 at 5:52 pm

Wow Henneke. Great article! Thanks for sharing. I’m about to start doing a lot of content marketing and this will come in handy big time! Thanks, Jim

September 8, 2020 at 6:29 pm

Thank you, Tim. Happy writing!

September 8, 2020 at 4:03 pm

You “knocked another one out of the park,” Henneke! I don’t know how you do it, but it sure is a joy to see another one of your notes in my inbox.

When I grow up (I’m pushing 84), I wanna be just like you 🙂

Maybe if I took up biking through Kuala Lumpur, or rolling spicy meatballs in the palm of my hand . . .

I’m grateful for all young readers like you. I know of a few 80-plus readers and there are undoubtedly a few more that I don’t know.

When I grow up (if I must), can I be Henrietta? 🙂

September 8, 2020 at 3:08 pm

“Readers will start recognizing your voice, and they’ll crave hearing more.” That has actually happened to me! I wrote an anonymous essay and a friend congratulated me on it! She knew it was me, haha! So thankful you provided link #5, above, as I was thinking about it the whole time I was reading and wishing I could return to read it again. It’s one of my many favorites. 🙂 Revamping my site, again, as always. There is always room for improvement. Always.

September 8, 2020 at 3:14 pm

“I wrote an anonymous essay and a friend congratulated me on it! She knew it was me, haha!” That’s fabulous. Congrats!

When I was compiling the short list of analogy examples, I was thinking of you when I added #5 about the hotel experience because I remember you mentioned before that that was your favorite and after reading that you started following me.

I’m grateful that you’re still reading my blog. Thank you for all your support. 💕

September 8, 2020 at 5:39 pm

That was way back when. I’m grateful you are still writing! May I learn to extend a metaphor like you, someday! 🙂

I bet you can do that already! 🙂

September 8, 2020 at 2:35 pm

Henneke, This is brilliant and immensely helpful. In every one of your articles you make magic and unlock my creativity. Thank you. You have several Kindle books in the oven. I have a collection of your articles.

September 8, 2020 at 3:17 pm

One day I’ll turn my attention to books again! I know there’s so much material in my blog and people have asked me for books so often. It’s tricky to get everything done while working only two hours a day. Do you have a specific book in mind that you’d like me to publish?

I appreciate your comment and encouragement, Shirley. Thank you.

September 8, 2020 at 2:10 pm

I’ve been reading your newsletters for ages. Really missed them when you had a break. This last one was so clever. I enjoy how you teach on many levels through concrete examples. When’s the book coming out?

September 8, 2020 at 3:02 pm

Thanks so much for your compliment, Paul. Which book would you like to read? (that’s a serious question. I’d love to know.)

September 8, 2020 at 1:35 pm

What’s the limit? How deep can you go on your story? Making your readers live the situation you are describing would be negative for the message you’re trying to communicate? I mean not in the amount of words used, but in the weight they have to make a lived experience for the readers.

September 8, 2020 at 3:01 pm

In writing there’s always a balance between vividness (which requires more details) and pace (which means keeping your writing concise). Where the balance exactly falls is partly a matter of personal preference, partly a matter of experience.

I follow my gut instinct. For instance, the original version of this post was longer as I had included two extra examples but it felt that these two examples didn’t help explain the topic better and slowed down the pace too much. So I took them out (and added the short list of examples in case people wanted to see more). By reading a lot and noticing when I find analogies distracting or unwieldy, I’ve been learning to find the right balance (for me).

September 8, 2020 at 8:48 pm

That makes sense.

Thank you for your reply.

September 8, 2020 at 1:31 pm

Great tips, Henneke! I especially like the idea of ​​drawing (childish style). It helps to say goodbye to getting stuck.

September 8, 2020 at 2:56 pm

Drawing is such a super-power! I agree 🙂

September 8, 2020 at 1:07 pm

Hi Henneke, lovely to be reading your scrummy-fresh posts again!

” a taste of…stir-fried beef with ginger, broccoli, and fish sauce”

I think we have the same taste in this instance 😬— delicious!

Can you give an insight into how carefully you plan an analogy, please? For instance, how did you come up with the tour leader article… did you have the story in mind and then think about the parallels with content marketing? OR did you have the content marketing mistakes in mind and then revers-engineer them into the story?

I am interested in the process of matching a story e.g. your guiding story to a topic… because that is what trips me up most of the time.

It’s good to see you again, Alison. I hope you’re keeping well and safe. 💕

I don’t think there’s one way to create your analogy. If I remember correctly (it’s been a while) with the tour leader article, I came up with the tour leader stories first and then connected them to content marketing tips. However, with the post on scrumptious blog writing tips, I worked the opposite way. I knew the blogging tips I wanted to share, and then tried to find food stories to match.

It can help to give yourself permission to let go of perfectionism. Firstly, you can use only the tips that work for the analogy (rather than give a complete list of tips). Secondly, your analogy doesn’t need to be perfect. For instance, in the blog post about transitions, I don’t relate each trick to a bicycle maintenance tip. Most readers won’t even notice that. Thirdly, sometimes you can simply indicate when the analogy goes wonky. For instance, if you’d write an analogy about the cooking & writing process. With the cooking process you must always follow a specific sequence, you chop the onions before you fry them. In writing, you have some more leeway—you can outline and then write a draft or you can freewrite and do a reverse-outline later; you can edit while writing, or write a draft first and edit later. In cooking that wouldn’t work. You must boil the egg before you peel it.

Does that help?

September 9, 2020 at 10:10 am

Yes, thank you! That does help. I also find that it sometimes works one way (i.e. tips first) and sometimes the other (story first), but I am always interested in how other people’s brains do the work 😀.

And I find that I HAVE to write story/analogy inspirations down whenever and wherever they occur to me, because I can guarantee when I come to write, I cannot for the life of me remember the excellent idea that I had!

Thanks again. Stay well, keep writing (and cooking and cycling 🌶🚴‍♀️).

September 8, 2020 at 1:01 pm

Your writing is enchanting! I am always learning something amazing from the content you produce. Thank you, Henneke!

September 8, 2020 at 2:47 pm

Thank you so much, Bruce. Happy writing!

September 8, 2020 at 12:31 pm

Another fabulous article. Subscribing to your newsletter was one of best decisions I’ve made in business.

September 8, 2020 at 12:33 pm

That’s a big compliment. Thank you, Lee.

September 8, 2020 at 12:25 pm

As a wannabe blogger I have been going through some writers’ blogs, this piece is exactly what I needed, great piece!

September 8, 2020 at 12:32 pm

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Shayur!

September 8, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Perfect description of me, Henneke – ‘They’ll be happy when you turn up in their inbox, eagerly clicking to read your next blog post’. Reading your articles is an experience to savour, Thank you for inspiring me.

September 8, 2020 at 12:23 pm

I’m delighted you’re continuing to enjoy my writing, Poovanesh. Thanks so much for stopping by to leave a comment. 🙂

September 8, 2020 at 12:15 pm

Thanks, Heneke for educating us with new-age web content writing. Those make a lot of impact on readers than traditional web writing. Thanks for transforming our writing into a better one.

September 8, 2020 at 12:16 pm

You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed this!

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Definition of Analogy

Common examples of analogy, famous examples of analogy, examples of analogy by thomas carlyle, difference between analogy, metaphor, and simile, writing analogy, types of analogy: literal and figurative, types of analogy in writing, use of analogy in sentences, examples of analogy in literature, example 1: there is no frigate like a book by emily dickinson.

There is No Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away Nor any Coursers like a Page Of prancing Poetry – This Traverse may the poorest take Without oppress of Toll – How frugal is the Chariot That bears the Human Soul –

Example 2: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Example 3: A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers by Henry David Thoreau

This world is but a canvas to our imaginations.

Synonyms of Analogy

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Argument By Analogy

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Dive into the art of persuasive communication with our expert guide on argument by analogy. This technique, pivotal in debate and discourse, compares two different things based on a shared characteristic. Our tips and examples will equip you with the skills to craft compelling analogies , enhancing your arguments and engaging your audience effectively. Perfect for debaters, writers, and thinkers aiming to influence and inform.

What is Argument By Analogy? – Definition

An argument by analogy draws a comparison between two distinct entities, situations, or concepts, suggesting that what is true for one is also true for the other based on shared attributes. It’s a persuasive tool that asserts if two things are alike in one or more respects, they are likely alike in other respects as well. This form of argument is often used to explain a complex idea with a familiar one, making it easier to understand or accept. For a deeper understanding, explore the concept of analogy in literature , which showcases how literary figures use this technique to convey their messages.

What is the Best Example of Argument By Analogy?

The best example of an argument by analogy is often found in legal reasoning. For instance, if a court has ruled that a curfew law is constitutional in one city because it helps reduce noise and crime, one might argue by analogy that a similar law should be constitutional in another city with the same issues. The underlying principle is that if the circumstances are sufficiently similar, the same legal reasoning should apply. This analogy helps to clarify legal arguments by relating new cases to precedents, thereby providing a basis for a reasoned conclusion. To further illustrate this point, consider the analogy examples in movies , where similar scenarios are often depicted to draw parallels between different narratives.

100 Argument By Analogy Examples

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Explore the persuasive power of analogy with our curated list of 100 argument by analogy examples. Each example serves as a testament to the effectiveness of this rhetorical device in drawing parallels that enlighten and persuade. Ideal for educators, students, and professionals, these analogies are a resource for enhancing argumentative essays, speeches, and critical thinking. Delve into our collection and discover the perfect analogy to fortify your next argument.

• Just as a seed needs water to grow, a business needs investment to flourish.
• A government budget is like a household budget, where income must balance with expenditure.
• The human brain is like a computer, processing information and storing data.
• A school is to a student what a greenhouse is to a plant: a place to grow and develop.
• The heart pumping blood through the body is like a river nourishing a landscape.
• A team working on a project is like an orchestra playing a symphony, each member contributing to the harmony.
• A book is to the mind what exercise is to the body: essential for health and strength.
• A company navigating the market is like a ship sailing the ocean, requiring skill to avoid pitfalls.
• Learning a new language is like opening a door to a new world, expanding your horizon.
• A strong leader is like the keystone in an arch, holding everything together.
• A well-functioning democracy is like a tapestry, woven from diverse threads of opinion and belief.
• A mentor guiding a student is like a lighthouse guiding ships to safe harbor.
• The internet is to information what a bank is to money: a central repository.
• A judge in a courtroom is like an umpire in a game, ensuring fair play.
• A novel’s plot is like a road trip, with twists and turns that lead to a destination.
• A foundation to a building is what roots are to a tree: a source of stability and support.
• A chef creating a new dish is like an artist painting a canvas, each ingredient adding to the masterpiece.
• A car’s engine is to the car what the heart is to the body: the power source.
• A society without laws is like a game without rules: chaos ensues.
• A smartphone is like a Swiss Army knife: a compact tool with multiple functions.
• A library is to a community what memory is to the mind: a storehouse of knowledge.
• A teacher in a classroom is like a gardener in a garden, nurturing each plant to grow.
• The immune system fighting viruses is like a country defending against invaders.
• A good conversation is like a game of catch, with ideas tossed back and forth.
• A successful marketing campaign is like a magnet, attracting customers to a product.
• A movie director is to a film what a conductor is to an orchestra: the guiding force.
• A computer virus is like a biological virus, each spreading by replication and causing harm.
• A nation’s constitution is like the rules of a board game, providing the framework within which the game operates.
• A detective solving a case is like a scientist conducting an experiment, piecing together evidence to find the truth.
• A child’s development is like a plant’s growth: gradual, complex, and influenced by its environment.
• A well-told joke is like a magic trick, with timing and misdirection leading to the punchline.
• A good leader is like a shepherd, guiding the flock to safety and prosperity.
• A computer’s operating system is like a city’s infrastructure, supporting and organizing the flow of information.
• A student’s education is like building a house, with each lesson laying the foundation for future knowledge.
• A renewable energy source is like an infinite well, constantly replenishing itself.
• A secure internet connection is like a fortified castle, protecting against intruders.
• A writer’s notebook is like a treasure chest, holding ideas that can be turned into gold.
• A public speaker is like a chef, each word carefully chosen to create a delicious narrative.
• A thriving coral reef is like a bustling city, with diverse inhabitants living in a complex ecosystem.
• A political campaign is like a marathon, requiring endurance, strategy, and a strong finish.
• A smartphone’s apps are like a toolbox, each with a specific function to help with tasks.
• A movie’s soundtrack is like a spice in cooking, enhancing the overall experience.
• A well-organized desk is like a well-tended garden, each item carefully placed for maximum efficiency.
• A computer’s firewall is like a moat around a castle, preventing unwanted access.
• A skilled negotiator is like a tightrope walker, carefully balancing each word to maintain harmony.
• A scientific theory is like a map, guiding researchers through the landscape of the unknown.
• A robust economy is like a healthy heart, pumping wealth and opportunity through society.
• A clean environment is like a canvas, allowing the beauty of nature to be fully appreciated.
• A well-functioning ecosystem is like a symphony, each species playing its part in harmony.
• A secure password is like a strong lock, keeping digital assets safe from theft.
• A good education is like a passport, opening doors to opportunities around the world.
• A balanced diet is like a well-tuned instrument, each nutrient working in harmony for health.
• A strong password is like a fortified gate, protecting your digital identity from intruders.
• A well-written essay is like a well-built house, with a clear structure and purpose.
• A successful entrepreneur is like a skilled sailor, navigating the unpredictable seas of the market.
• A well-planned city is like a circuit board, with efficient pathways for traffic and communication.
• A persuasive essay is like a sales pitch, convincing the reader to buy into the argument.
• A good teacher is like a skilled coach, bringing out the best in each student.
• A reliable car is like a dependable friend, always there when you need it.
• A well-run restaurant is like a fine-tuned machine, with each part working in unison to deliver a great experience.
• A strong community is like a woven fabric, each thread contributing to the overall strength.
• A well-designed game is like a good story, engaging the player from beginning to end.
• A secure online transaction is like a sealed envelope, ensuring the contents arrive safely.
• A well-maintained park is like a sanctuary, providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
• A good book is like a good friend, offering comfort, wisdom, and an escape from the ordinary.
• A successful business is like a winning sports team, where strategy, skill, and teamwork lead to success.
• A well-organized event is like a choreographed dance, with each move timed to perfection.
• A good budget is like a roadmap, guiding financial decisions to reach goals.
• A strong brand is like a lighthouse, shining a light on the company’s values and attracting customers.
• A good leader is like a captain, steering the ship through calm and stormy waters alike.
• A well-functioning computer is like a well-oiled machine, with all parts working together smoothly.
• A good workout is like a tune-up for the body, keeping it running at its best.
• A well-written program is like a good recipe, with each line of code contributing to the final product.
• A good strategy is like a compass, guiding decisions in the right direction.
• A successful negotiation is like a bridge, connecting two sides to reach a common ground.
• A good mentor is like a guiding star, leading the way and providing direction.
• A well-structured argument is like a chain, with each link supporting the next.
• A good teacher is like a gardener, cultivating the minds of students so they can grow.
• A strong foundation is like bedrock, supporting everything that is built upon it.
• A good reputation is like a tree, taking years to grow but providing shade for a lifetime.
• A well-crafted speech is like a musical composition, with rhythm, dynamics, and a powerful message.
• A good investment is like planting a tree, with the benefits growing over time.
• A well-run company is like a beehive, with each member working for the good of the whole.
• A good leader is like a conductor, ensuring that each member of the team plays their part.
• A strong argument is like a fortress, well-defended and difficult to assail.
• A good decision is like a key, unlocking new opportunities and potential.
• A well-written article is like a guided tour, leading the reader through the landscape of ideas.
• A good teacher is like a map, showing students the paths they can take.
• A strong relationship is like a bridge, built on trust and mutual support.
• A good plan is like a blueprint, providing a clear vision for the future.
• A successful project is like a puzzle, with each piece necessary to complete the picture.
• A good leader is like a compass, providing direction and guidance.
• A strong argument is like a well-built wall, standing firm against opposition.
• A good book is like a window, offering a view into another world.
• A successful team is like a well-rehearsed orchestra, each member contributing to a harmonious performance.
• A good strategy is like a roadmap, showing the way to success.
• A strong brand is like a flag, representing the company and its values.
• A good leader is like a captain, navigating the ship through all conditions.
• A successful business is like a thriving garden, with each part contributing to the whole.
• A good argument is like a chain, with each link supporting the strength of the whole.

These analogies are designed to illustrate the power of argument by analogy, providing a diverse range of examples that can be adapted to various contexts and discussions. Use these analogies to enhance your reasoning, support your arguments, and engage your audience with clarity and creativity.

Argument By Analogy Examples in MATH

Mathematics often employs analogies to simplify complex concepts and create intuitive understanding. Our selection of argument by analogy examples in math bridges abstract numbers and tangible reality, aiding educators and students alike. These examples are crafted to illuminate mathematical principles through relatable comparisons, enriching learning experiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for the subject’s practical applications. For instance, equations are like recipes, each ingredient (variable) must be used in the right amount (coefficient) to get the desired result (solution). This is akin to the cell analogy , where the complex structure of a cell is broken down into understandable components.

• Equations are like recipes, each ingredient (variable) must be used in the right amount (coefficient) to get the desired result (solution).
• A geometric proof is like a detective’s case, each step building on the last to solve the puzzle.
• Calculating the area under a curve is like measuring the land area of an irregularly shaped property.
• A function in math is like a vending machine: input money (x), select a button (f(x)), and receive a snack (y).
• Prime numbers are like the fundamental building blocks of numbers, similar to atoms in chemistry.
• A math theorem is like a legal verdict, reached after a series of logical arguments.
• Complex numbers are like two-dimensional coordinates, pairing the real with the imaginary.
• A mathematical series is like a train, with each car (term) attached in a specific order to reach a destination (sum).
• Solving an algebraic equation is like unlocking a combination lock, each step bringing you closer to the solution.
• A probability is like a weather forecast, predicting the likelihood of an event.

Argument By Analogy Examples in Philosophy

Philosophy thrives on the use of analogy to explain and debate concepts that are often abstract or intangible. Our collection of argument by analogy examples in philosophy is designed to provoke thought and illuminate philosophical ideas, making them accessible to both novices and seasoned thinkers. These examples serve as a bridge between the esoteric realms of thought and the more familiar experiences of everyday life. Ethical dilemmas, for example, are like crossroads, where each path represents a different moral choice, similar to the false analogy fallacy , where the choice of comparison may lead to an incorrect conclusion.

• Ethical dilemmas are like crossroads, where each path represents a different moral choice.
• Plato’s cave is like a theater, with shadows on the wall representing perceptions of reality.
• A philosopher’s argument is like a house, with each premise a brick in its foundation.
• The mind-body problem is like the relationship between a musician and their instrument.
• Free will is like steering a car, where one can choose the direction despite the road’s constraints.
• The social contract is like an unspoken agreement among diners to enjoy a peaceful meal.
• Existentialism is like a solo journey, where the traveler must find their own path.
• Socratic questioning is like peeling an onion, revealing layers of meaning through inquiry.
• The pursuit of knowledge is like climbing a mountain, striving to reach the summit of understanding.
• Moral relativism is like a palette of colors, with each shade representing a different cultural norm.

Argument By Analogy Examples in Other Minds

The philosophical problem of other minds examines the nature of consciousness and the possibility of understanding experiences outside our own. Our carefully selected argument by analogy examples in the realm of other minds are crafted to shed light on this complex subject, offering a pathway to grasp the intricacies of consciousness and empathy. These examples are invaluable for those delving into the philosophical and psychological aspects of human understanding. Understanding others’ minds is like interpreting art, where personal experience shapes perception, much like the subjective analogy where personal viewpoints influence the interpretation of comparisons.

• Understanding others’ minds is like interpreting art, where personal experience shapes perception.
• Empathy is like a bridge, connecting one’s own emotions to another’s experience.
• The problem of other minds is like wondering if other houses are home to lives as complex as your own.
• Consciousness is like an iceberg, with much remaining hidden beneath the surface.
• Telepathy is like a phone call, a direct line to another’s thoughts, if it were possible.
• The Turing Test is like a masquerade ball, where one must guess who is behind the mask.
• Introspection is like using a flashlight to illuminate the corners of one’s own mind.
• The leap of faith in believing in other minds is like trusting there’s a net when you can’t see it.
• A person’s perspective is like a window, each offering a different view of the world.
• The mind is like a diary, each entry a private thought waiting to be understood by others.

What is the Argument from Analogy Fallacy?

The argument from analogy fallacy occurs when an analogy is used to prove or support a conclusion, but the analogy is too dissimilar to be effective. This fallacy can mislead by suggesting that because two things are alike in one or more respects, they are necessarily alike in some other, pertinent respect. It’s crucial to evaluate whether the similarities are relevant and sufficient to support the conclusion. A fallacious analogy may overlook critical differences and oversimplify complex issues, leading to faulty reasoning and misleading arguments. To avoid such pitfalls, one must understand the false analogy and its implications.

What is a Strong Argument from Analogy?

A strong argument from analogy is one that draws a comparison between two entities that are alike in significant and relevant ways. The strength of the analogy depends on the degree of similarity and the relevance of the characteristics being compared. For an argument by analogy to be strong, it should provide clear, relevant parallels that directly support the conclusion being drawn. The more closely the compared elements relate to the point of contention, the more persuasive the analogy will be. Additionally, a strong argument by analogy will anticipate and address potential counterarguments, reinforcing the comparison’s validity. This is exemplified in the structural analogy , where the foundational elements of the compared items are closely scrutinized.

What is the Format of an Argument by Analogy?

The format of an argument by analogy typically follows a structured approach that outlines the similarities between two subjects to support a conclusion. Here is a basic outline:

• Introduction of the Analogy : Present the two items or concepts being compared.
• Point of Similarity : Clearly state the attributes that the two items or concepts share.
• Relevance of the Similarity : Explain how these shared attributes are pertinent to the argument or conclusion.
• Conclusion Drawn from the Similarity : Articulate the conclusion that you believe is supported by the analogy.
• Addressing Counterarguments : Preemptively respond to potential criticisms that might undermine the analogy.

This format ensures that the argument by analogy is presented in a clear, logical, and persuasive manner, making it easier for the audience to follow and understand the reasoning behind the conclusion.

How do you write Arguments By Analogy? – Step by Step Guide

Writing an argument by analogy involves a careful comparison of two subjects to illustrate a point. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a compelling argument by analogy:

• Identify the Core Idea : Start with the concept or argument you want to convey. Clearly define the point you are trying to make.
• Choose a Relatable Analogy : Select a familiar or easily understandable situation that shares key characteristics with your core idea.
• Establish Points of Similarity : List the similarities between the two subjects. Ensure these parallels are direct and relevant to your core idea.
• Explain the Analogy : Describe how the analogy illustrates your point. Make sure the comparison is logical and the relationship between the two subjects is clear.
• Reinforce the Argument : Use the analogy to strengthen your argument, showing how the comparison supports your conclusion.
• Anticipate Objections : Think about possible objections to your analogy and address them within your argument to reinforce its validity.
• Conclude Effectively : Summarize how the analogy supports your argument and restate your main point, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Tips for Using Argument By Analogy

Using argument by analogy can be a powerful rhetorical strategy when done correctly. Here are some tips to ensure effectiveness:

• Relevance is Key : Choose analogies that are directly relevant to the argument. Irrelevant analogies can confuse the audience and weaken your argument.
• Simplicity Works Best : Use simple and straightforward analogies. Complex or convoluted comparisons can be difficult to follow.
• Be Specific : Vague analogies can be interpreted in multiple ways. Be as specific as possible to convey your message clearly.
• Use Familiar Examples : Analogies that draw on common experiences or widely understood concepts are more likely to resonate with your audience.
• Balance is Crucial : Ensure that the elements being compared are balanced in terms of their similarities and differences.
• Address Limitations : No analogy is perfect. Acknowledge the limitations of your analogy to strengthen your credibility.
• Avoid Overuse : Relying too heavily on analogies can make an argument seem weak. Use them sparingly and strategically.
• Test Your Analogy : Before finalizing your argument, test the analogy with others to see if it is persuasive and easily understood.
• Integrate with Evidence : Support your analogy with factual evidence and data where possible to provide a stronger foundation for your argument.
• Be Prepared to Adapt : Be ready to modify or abandon your analogy if it proves to be less effective than anticipated during the course of the discussion.

By following these guidelines, you can use arguments by analogy to effectively communicate complex ideas and persuade your audience with clarity and impact. Consider the insights on predictive analogy , which focuses on forecasting outcomes based on comparative analysis.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

73 Essay Hook Examples

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

An essay hook is the first one or two sentences of your essay that are used to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into your discussion.

It is called a hook because it “grabs” the reader and doesn’t let them go! It should have something in there that makes the reader feel curious and intrigued, compelling them to continue reading.

Techniques for Good Essay Hooks

Here are a few techniques that you can use to write a good essay hook:

• Use a Quotation : Sometimes, a relevant quotation from a well-known author or expert can help establish the context or theme of your essay. Next time you’re conducting research for an essay, keep an eye out for a really compelling quote that you could use as your hook for that essay.
• Start with a Statement that is Surprising or Unusual: A surprising or unusually statement will draw a reader in, making them want to know more about that topic. It’s good if the statement contradicts common knowledge or reveals an insight about your topic that isn’t immediately obvious. These can be particularly good for argumentative essays where you’re putting forward a controversial or compelling argument as your thesis statement .
• Tell a Brief Anecdote : A short, interesting story related to your topic can personaize the story, making it more than just a dry essay, and turning it into a compelling narrative that’s worth reading.
• Use Statistics or Facts: Interesting, surprising, or shocking facts or statistics work similarly to surprising statements: they make us want to know more about a topic. Statistics and facts in your introductions are particularly useful for analytical, expository , and argumentative essays.
• Start with a Question: Questions that make the reader think deeply about an issue, or pose a question that the reader themselves has considered, can be really effecitve. But remember, questions tend to be better for informal and personal essays, and are generally not allowed in formal argumentative essays. If you’re not sure if you’re allowed to use questions in your essays, check with your teacher first.

Below, I’ll present some examples of hooks that you could use as inspiration when writing your own essay hook.

Essay Hook Examples

These examples might help stimulate your thinking. However, keep in mind that your essay hook needs to be unique to your essay, so use these as inspiration but write your own essay hook that’s perfect for your own essay.

1. For an Essay About Yourself

An essay about yourself can be personal, use “I” statements, and include memories or thoughts that are deeply personal to you.

• Question: “Have you ever met someone who could turn even the most mundane events into a thrilling adventure? Let me introduce myself.”
• Anecdote: “The smell of freshly baked cookies always takes me back to the day when I accidentally started a baking business at the age of nine.”
• Intriguing Statement: “I’ve always believed that you haven’t truly lived until you’ve read a book upside down, danced in the rain, or taught a parrot to say ‘I love pizza.'”
• Quotation: “As Mark Twain once said, ‘The secret of getting ahead is getting started.’ That’s a philosophy I’ve embraced in every aspect of my life.”
• Humorous Statement: “I’m a self-proclaimed ‘professional chocolate tester’ – a title that’s not only delicious but also requires extreme dedication.”
• Start with your Mission Statement : “My life motto is simple but powerful: be the person who decided to go for it.
• Fact or Statistic: “According to a study, people who speak more than one language tend to be better at multitasking . As a polyglot, I certainly live up to that statistic.”
• Comparison or Metaphor: “If my life were a book, it would be a blend of an adventurous novel, a suspense thriller, and a pinch of romantic comedy.”
• Personal Revelation: “Ever since I was a child, I’ve had an uncanny ability to communicate with animals. It’s an unusual skill, but one that has shaped my life in many ways.”
• Narrative: “The day everything changed for me was an ordinary Tuesday. Little did I know, a single conversation would lead me to discover my true passion.”

2. For a Reflective Essay

A reflective essay often explores personal experiences, feelings, and thoughts. So, your hooks for reflective essays can usually be more personal, intriguing, and engaging than other types of essays. Here are some examples for inspiration:

• Question: “Have you ever felt as though a single moment could change your entire life? This essay is going to explore that moment for me.”
• Anecdote: “I was standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, looking at the vast emptiness, and for the first time, I truly understood the word ‘perspective’.”
• Bold Statement: “There is a part of me that is still trapped in that room, on that rainy afternoon, holding the letter that would change everything.”
• Personal Revelation: “The first time I truly felt a sense of belonging wasn’t in a crowded room full of friends, but in the quiet solitude of a forest.”
• Intriguing Statement: “In my life, silence has been a teacher more profound than any words could ever be.”
• Quotation: “Einstein once said, ‘The only source of knowledge is experience.’ Now, looking back, I realize how profound that statement truly is.”
• Comparison or Metaphor: “If my life is a tapestry, then that summer was the vibrant thread that changed the entire pattern.”
• Narrative: “As the train pulled out of the station, I realized I wasn’t just leaving my hometown, I was leaving my old self behind.”
• Philosophical Statement: “In the theater of life, we are both the actor and the audience, playing our part and watching ourselves simultaneously.”
• Emotive Statement: “There is a sort of sweet sorrow in remembering, a joy tinged with a hint of sadness, like the last notes of a beautiful song.”

For an Argumentative Essay

Essay hooks for argumentative essays are often the hardest. This type of essay tends to require the most formal type of academic writing, meaning your hook shouldn’t use first person, and should be more based on fact and objectivity, often at the expense of creativity. Here are some examples.

• Quotation: “Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.’ If Jefferson were alive today, he would likely feel that this meed for a well-informed citizenry is falling well short of where he would aspire.”
• Provocative Statement: “Despite what romantic films may portray, love at first sight is merely a myth perpetuated by society. This essay will prosecute the argument that love at first sight is a myth.”
• Statistical Fact: “According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading psychological disability worldwide. Yet, mental health is still stigmatized and often overlooked. This essay will argue that depression should be seen as a health issue, and stigmatization of depression causes serious harm to society.”
• Comparison: “Much like an unchecked infection, climate change, if left ignored, can spread far beyond what it is today, causing long-term economic and social problems that may even threaten the longevity of humanity itself.”
• Contradiction : “While we live in an era of unprecedented technological advancements, millions around the world are still denied basic internet access.”
• Bold Declaration: “Animal testing is not only ethically unacceptable, but it also undermines the progress of medical research.”
• Challenging Belief: “Despite popular belief, the automation of jobs is not a threat but an opportunity for society to evolve.”
• Quotation: “George Orwell wrote in ‘1984’, ‘Big Brother is Watching You.’ In our modern society, with the advancement of technology, this is becoming more of a reality than fiction.”
• Intriguing Statement: “Despite countless diet fads and fitness trends, obesity rates continue to rise. This argumentative essay will argue that this is because medical practitioners’ approaches to health and weight loss are fundamentally flawed.”
• Statistical Fact: “Research reveals that over 90% of the world’s plastic waste is not recycled. This alarming figure calls for a drastic change in social attitudes towards consumption and waste management.”
• Challenging Assumption: “Society often assumes that progress and growth are intrinsically good, but this is not always the case in the realm of economic development.”
• Contradiction: “Western society upholds the value of freedom, yet every day, members of society cede personal liberties in the name of convenience and security.”
• Analogy: “Like an overplayed song, when a news story is repeated too often, it loses its impact. In the era of digital media, society is becoming desensitized to critical issues.”
• Relevant Anecdote: “In a village in India, the arrival of a single computer transformed the lives of the residents. This small anecdote underscores the importance of digital inclusion in today’s world.”
• Call to Rethink: “In a world where success is often equated with financial wealth, it is time for society to reconsidered what truly constitutes a successful life.”

For a Compare and Contrast Essay

A compare and contrast essay examines two issues, looking at both the similarities and differences between them. A good hook for a compare and contrast essay will immediately signal to the reader the subjects that are being compared and why they’re being compared. Here are sine ideas for hooks for a compare and contrast essay:

• Quotation: “As Charles Dickens wrote in his novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’. This could equally apply to the contrasting dynamics of urban and rural living.”
• Provocative Statement: “Despite popular belief, cats and dogs have more in common than society tends to think.”
• Comparison: “Comparing being an only child to growing up with siblings is like contrasting a solo performance with an orchestral symphony.”
• Contradiction: “While many view classic literature and contemporary fiction as worlds apart, they are more akin to two sides of the same coin.”
• Bold Declaration: “Android and iPhone may compete in the same market, but their philosophies could not be more different.”
• Statistical Fact: “Statistics show that children who grow up reading books tend to perform better academically than those who do not. But, the jury is out on how reading traditional books compares to reading e-books on screens.”
• Quotation: “As Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, ‘Sooner or later, we all sit down to a banquet of consequences.’ This statement can be used to frame a comparison between short-term and long-term thinking.”
• Provocative Statement: “Democracy and dictatorship are often seen as polar opposites, but are they are not as different as they seem.”
• Comparison: “Climate change and plastic pollution are two major environmental issues, yet they demand different approaches and solutions.”
• Contradiction: “While traditional classrooms and online learning are seen as separate modes of education, they can often blend into a cohesive learning experience.”
• Bold Declaration: “Though both based on merit, the structures of capitalism and socialism lead to vastly different societal outcomes.”
• Imagery: “The painting styles of Van Gogh and Monet can be contrasted as a stormy sea versus a tranquil pond.”
• Historical Reference: “The philosophies of the Cold War-era – capitalism and communism – provide a lens to contrast economic systems.”
• Literary Comparison: “The dystopian societies portrayed in George Orwell’s ‘1984’ and Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ serve as contrasting visions of the future.”
• Philosophical Question : “Individualism and collectivism shape societies in distinct ways, but neither one can truly exist without the other.”

See Here for my Guide on Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

For a Psychology Essay

Writing an engaging hook for a psychology essay involves sparking the reader’s interest in the human mind, behavior, or the specific psychology topic you’re discussing. Here are some stimulating hooks for a psychology essay:

• Rhetorical Question: “How much control do we truly have over our own actions?”
• Quotation: “Sigmund Freud once said, ‘Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.’ This essay will explore whether this is universally true.”
• Provocative Statement: “Contrary to popular belief, ‘venting out’ anger might actually be fueling the fire of fury.”
• Comparison: “Just as an iceberg reveals only a fraction of its bulk above water, conscious minds may only be a small piece of who humans truly are.”
• Contradiction: “While it may seem counterintuitive, studies show that individuals who are more intelligent are also more likely to suffer from mental health issues.”
• Bold Declaration: “Despite advances in technology, understanding the human brain remains one of the final frontiers in science.”
• Statistical Fact: “According to a study by the American Psychological Association, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness. Yet, mental health continues to be a topic shrouded in stigma.”

For a Sociology Essay

Writing an engaging hook for a sociology essay involves sparking the reader’s interest in social behaviors, cultural phenomena, or the specific sociology topic you’re discussing. Here are ideas for hooks for a sociology essay:

• Quotation: “As Karl Marx once noted, ‘Social progress can be measured exactly by the social position of the fair sex.’ Sadly, society has not made much progress in gender equality.”
• Provocative Statement: “Social media, initially created to connect people, is ironically leading society into an era of unprecedented isolation.”
• Comparison: “Comparing society to a theater, where each individual plays a role, it is possible to start to see patterns and scripts embedded in daily interactions.”
• Contradiction: “While people often believe that technology is bringing society closer together, evidence suggests that it’s actually driving a wedge between people, creating ‘digital divides’.”
• Bold Declaration: “Human societies are constructed on deeply ingrained systems of inequality, often invisible to those benefiting from them.”
• Statistical Fact: “A recent study found that women still earn only 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. This stark wage gap raises questions about equality in the workforce.”

For a College Application Essay

A college essay is a personal statement where you can showcase who you are beyond your grades and resume. It’s your chance to tell your unique story. Here are ten potential hooks for a college essay:

• Anecdote: “At the age of seven, with a wooden spoon as my baton, I confidently conducted an orchestra of pots and pans in my grandmother’s kitchen.”
• Provocative Statement: “I believe that life is like a game of chess. The king might be the most important piece, but it’s the pawns that can change the entire course of the game.”
• Personal Revelation: “It wasn’t until I was lost in a foreign city, armed with nothing but a map in a language I didn’t understand, that I truly discovered my love for adventure.”
• Intriguing Question: “Have you ever wondered how it feels to be part of two completely different cultures, yet wholly belong to neither?”
• Bold Declaration: “Breaking a bone can be a painful experience. Breaking stereotypes, however, is an entirely different kind of challenge.”
• Unusual Fact: “I can recite the periodic table backwards while juggling three tennis balls. It’s a strange talent, but it’s a perfect metaphor for how I tackle challenges.”
• Quotation: “As Albert Einstein once said, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge.’ This quote has defined my approach to learning.”
• Narrative: “It was a cold winter’s day when I first discovered the magic of turning a blank page into a world full of characters, stories, and ideas.”
• Metaphor: “Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, my high school years have been a period of profound metamorphosis.”
• Humorous Statement: “Being the youngest of five siblings, I quickly learned that the best way to be heard was to become the family’s unofficial lawyer.”

Conclusion: The Qualities of a Good Essay Hook

As I wrap up this article, I want to share a few last tips on qualities that a good essay hook should have. Keep these tips in mind when writing your essay hook and using the above essay hook examples:

First, relevance . A good hook should be directly relevant to the topic or theme of your essay. The hook should provide a preview of what’s to come without giving too much away.

Second, Intrigue. A great hook should make the reader want to continue reading. It should create a question in the reader’s mind or present a fascinating idea that they want to know more about.

Third, uniqueness. An effective hook should be original and unique. It should stand out from the many other essays that the reader might be going through.

Fourth, clarity. Even though a hook should be captivating and original, it should also be clear and easy to understand. Avoid complex sentences and jargon that might confuse the reader.

Fifth, genre conventions. Too often, my students try to be so creative in their essay hooks that they forget genre conventions . The more formal an essay, the harder it is to write the hook. My general approach is to focus on statistics and facts, and avoid rhetorical questions , with more formal essay hooks.

Keep in mind that you should run your essay hook by your teacher by showing them your first draft before you submit your essay for grading. This will help you to make sure it follows genre conventions and is well-written.

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