Writing With Metaphors, Analogies & Stories
- Writing with metaphors can turn something from boring to exciting.
- Writing with analogies let you express complex ideas, simply.
- Writing Stories make conversation interesting, and captivate your listeners attention.
In this article, we shall explore some of the different writing styles you can use when writing essays, letters or are simply just learning how to write.
We will do this by looking at examples of writing with metaphors, writing with analogies and writing stories.
Examples Of Metaphors In Writing
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 examples of metaphors.
One of the main reasons why metaphors are so powerful when writing an essay, is because they allow you to personify abstract ideas.
In other words, writing with metaphors allows you to make something which may be dull and impersonal, seem alive and exciting.
Metaphors Are A Powerful Writing Tool
Metaphors are one of the most powerful word tools you have at your disposal when writing, as they will help to create vivid lasting impressions in your listeners mind.
The more vivid, descriptive and exciting these images are, the greater the emotional response your writing will create.
The best way to think about metaphors when you are writing, is to imagine you are painting the reader a picture.
Think of the idea you want to convey in your writing, and then link that idea to something anyone will be able to recognise. The simpler you can make this association, the more effect it will have.
Writing 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 summarises 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 realising 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.
Writing 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.
If we wanted to use a metaphor, we could say something like “life is sweet”.
When writing analogies, you first present one idea and then compare it to another idea which other people are already aware of.
The reason you do this, is because it makes your idea easy to understand once you have something to compare it against as a frame of reference.
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 with your writing.
Writing Stories
Another technique to use when writing is to use stories. This is something all good communicators 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.
