How To Communicate With Language That Creates Vivid Imagery
- Metaphors can turn something from boring to exciting.
- Analogies let you express complex ideas, simply.
- Stories make conversation interesting, and captivate your listeners attention.
In the last article we talked about the importance of creating vivid images in your listeners mind when trying to persuade them. Now in this article, we shall explore some different ways that you can do this.
Metaphors
A metaphor is simply an imaginative way of describing something, by saying it is something else. For example, “time is money”, “cool as ice”, “boiling mad” and “frozen with fear” are all metaphors.
One of the main reasons why metaphors are so powerful is because they allow you to personify abstract ideas. Or in other words, they allow you to make something which may be dull and impersonal, seem alive and exciting.
Metaphors are one of the most powerful word tools you have at your disposal to create vivid lasting impressions in your listeners mind. The more vivid, descriptive and exciting these images are, the greater the emotional response they will evoke.
Metaphors Can Focus Or Divert Attention
Metaphors serve as a frame, giving the listener a window to look through. This window will focus their attention on a particular point of view, whilst at the same time restricting their focus from looking elsewhere.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a master persuader or a skilled linguist to use metaphors, as virtually everyone uses them in their own particular metaphoric style.
These metaphors reveal which windows a person sees the world through, which then tells you how they view life. This is something which you can use to your advantage.
One way to do this is simply to make a mental note of the type of language a person uses, and how they tend to describe themselves, other people and the things around them. Usually these descriptions will reflect a particular interest they have, such as sport, fashion or the military.
The next step is to think of a simple metaphor that summarizes the type of language they use to describe things. So if they tend to use a lot of military phrases such as “this is going to be a hard battle” create a metaphor that reflects this interest in the military.
By doing so you will frame things in the same way as to how they like to look at the world. If done correctly you can then change how a person views something, without them even realizing you are trying to alter their perspective on an issue.
Remember that by creating these metaphorical frames, you will also focus their attention on what you have just framed, which at the same time diverts their attention from things you don’t want them to focus on.
Analogies
An analogy is a way of introducing an idea by quickly comparing it with something familiar and simple. For example, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get” is an analogy.
Analogies can therefore have the same impact as metaphors, by allowing you present a complex idea in a simple and visual way.
The easier your message is understood, the more effective it will be, and the greater your chances are at successfully persuading that person.
Stories
Another technique to use when communicating ideas is to use stories. This is something all good persuaders will make use of to ensure their message is easily understood.
Stories are particularly useful for persuasion because they:
- Grab the listeners attention. Just like a movie, stories have a plot and characters the listener can relate to. This makes your message interesting, and easy to follow.
- Simplifies complex ideas. A story is a good way to describe something complex in a simple way.
- Stories tap into the listeners emotions. When you can relate to the stories plot or character, it is more likely to evoke an emotional response than a series of dry facts.
- Stories are memorable. Stories create vivid images in the listeners mind. This makes it easy to remember the story, long after it has been told. Stories are therefore a good way to implant new beliefs or ideas into a persons mind.
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