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What is a metaphor in writing?
How do metaphors help explain concepts and ideas?
How do you use metaphors in a sentence?
How do you write a metaphor?
What is an example of a metaphor?
How do you use metaphors in poetry?
Jun 20, 2023 · How do you write a metaphor? Metaphors work best when they connect abstract concepts to something common that readers already understand well. For example, in the Einstein quote above, abstract disciplines are described as a tangible object in nature to show how they relate to one another.
- Kelly Morr
- Overview
- Understanding Metaphors
- Writing Your Own Metaphors
- Sample Metaphors
Metaphors are the cold knife in your side, the speed bumps that keep you from picking up writing momentum, the hidden monster lurking in the closet of ... of ... oh, darn it. Metaphors are tough -- no doubt about it -- but if you follow these instructions, they can become the spice in the cuisine that is your written work!
Define your topic or object, then brainstorm other things with similar qualities.
Decide what tone you’d like to set to weed out ideas that don’t fit the mood.
Write a few sentences comparing the topic to your brainstormed associations.
Read your sentences aloud and revise them to further refine your comparison.
Condense your idea into one original, metaphorical sentence.
Understand what a metaphor is.
The word “metaphor” derives from the ancient Greek word
, which meant “to carry over” or “to transfer.”
A metaphor “carries” meaning from one concept to another by stating or implying that one of them
the other (whereas a simile compares two things by saying one is “like” or “as” the other). To know what to aim for, it may help to look at a few famous examples.
contains a very famous metaphor: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
about what you're trying to describe.
What characteristics does it have? What does it do? How does it make you feel? Does it have a smell or taste?
by writing down whatever descriptions come to mind. Don’t get bogged down by obvious details; metaphor is all about thinking outside the box.
For example, if you want to write a metaphor about "time," try writing down as many characteristics as possible: slow, fast, dark, space, relativity, heavy, elastic, progress, change, man-made, evolution, time-out, timer, race, run.
Don't self-edit too heavily in this step; your goal is to generate a bunch of information for yourself to use. You can always scrap ideas that don't work later.
Jot down lots of other things that share some of these qualities, but again, don't be too linear; the less obvious the association, the more interesting the metaphor. If you’re writing a metaphor about a concept, flex your brain by trying to equate it with an object. For example, if your topic is justice, ask yourself what kind of animal it would be.
I have a scene where my character is so angry she breaks a plate with her bare hands. Can that be made into a metaphor?
Anything can be made into a metaphor. If you draw enough comparison between the plate and what you want it to represent, you have a metaphor.
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What metaphor would go well with the phrase "I cry"?
Definition and examples of metaphors in English. A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes something (an object or an action) in a way that isn’t literally true, but uses comparison or symbolism to describe something. Metaphors are a great way to add more color to your writing!
- 2 min
What is a metaphor? How and why would you use it? Bitesize explains with examples from ‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy for 3rd and 4th level (S2-S4) learners.
Using Metaphors in Creative Writing. What is a metaphor? The term metaphor meant in Greek "carry something across" or "transfer," which suggests many of the more elaborate definitions below: Related terms. Why use metaphors? They enliven ordinary language.
Aug 11, 2023 · Metaphors are used to describe an object or action by stating (or implying) that it is something else (e.g., “knowledge is a butterfly”). Metaphors typically have two parts: A tenor is the thing or idea that the metaphor describes (e.g., “knowledge”). A vehicle is the thing or idea used to describe the tenor (e.g., “a butterfly”).
Oct 19, 2018 · A metaphor is a literary device that imaginatively draws a comparison between two unlike things. It does this by stating that Thing A is Thing B. Through this method of equation, metaphors can help explain concepts and ideas by colorfully linking the unknown to the known; the abstract to the concrete; the incomprehensible to the comprehensible.
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I love the adaptive nature of the program - Amundsen House Of Chaos
