Select an action you can compare your situation to. This can be anything from ‘planning a wedding’ to ‘brushing your teeth’. It doesn’t really matter, as long as the action doesn’t seem to relate to your subject. Some actions you might compare your situation to are…
Step 2. Find similarities
Once you’ve created an analogy it’s time to write down as many similarities as you can think of. Use your imagination and have some fun with it. You’ll find it is much easier than it sounds.
Step 3. Use similarities to generate ideas
Go through the similarities to find interesting insights. What is there that you can use to start generating ideas? Look for new ways to look at your situation.
Let’s look at an example
Last week we organised a session to find refreshing ideas on webcare, so let’s use that as an example.
Say you want to improve the webcare of your organisation. You might start with the analogy ‘Responding on social media is like… going to the beach.’
Of course this sounds ridiculous at first… but at the same time, you’ll find it’s remarkably easy to find similarities between the two actions. For instance, you could say that in both instances ‘you need some preparation to prevent trouble’ (giving the wrong answer or upsetting people in one case, getting a sunburn in the other). You could also say ‘sometimes the conditions are not right’, ‘you don’t always have time for it’, ‘it can be a very pleasant experience’ or ‘the people you’ll encounter will have different reasons for being there’.
If you’re trying to explain to your reader how one thing is similar to another, you have to make sure the example you’re using is common and easily understood. The point of an analogy is to encourage deeper thought, and that won’t work if the readers are unfamiliar with the image you’re conjuring.
Work to compare and contrast.
Think about the idea you’re trying to get across. When trying to find something commonplace to compare it to, think about possible connections between the two things—both similarities and differences. Which evokes the most powerful image? Which will be able to set up the comparison the clearest?
Think of ways to inspire.
The best analogies both explain and inspire. As a literary device, an analogy is a powerful way to communicate a message. However, it can also turn an idea into a vivid image in the reader’s mind that will stick long after they’ve finished reading.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Step 1. Generate an analogy
Select an action you can compare your situation to. This can be anything from ‘planning a wedding’ to ‘brushing your teeth’. It doesn’t really matter, as long as the action doesn’t seem to relate to your subject. Some actions you might compare your situation to are…
Step 2. Find similarities
Once you’ve created an analogy it’s time to write down as many similarities as you can think of. Use your imagination and have some fun with it. You’ll find it is much easier than it sounds.
Step 3. Use similarities to generate ideas
Go through the similarities to find interesting insights. What is there that you can use to start generating ideas? Look for new ways to look at your situation.
Let’s look at an example
Last week we organised a session to find refreshing ideas on webcare, so let’s use that as an example.
Say you want to improve the webcare of your organisation. You might start with the analogy ‘Responding on social media is like… going to the beach.’
Of course this sounds ridiculous at first… but at the same time, you’ll find it’s remarkably easy to find similarities between the two actions. For instance, you could say that in both instances ‘you need some preparation to prevent trouble’ (giving the wrong answer or upsetting people in one case, getting a sunburn in the other). You could also say ‘sometimes the conditions are not right’, ‘you don’t always have time for it’, ‘it can be a very pleasant experience’ or ‘the people you’ll encounter will have different reasons for being there’.
Answer:
Try to create easy-to-understand imagery.
If you’re trying to explain to your reader how one thing is similar to another, you have to make sure the example you’re using is common and easily understood. The point of an analogy is to encourage deeper thought, and that won’t work if the readers are unfamiliar with the image you’re conjuring.
Work to compare and contrast.
Think about the idea you’re trying to get across. When trying to find something commonplace to compare it to, think about possible connections between the two things—both similarities and differences. Which evokes the most powerful image? Which will be able to set up the comparison the clearest?
Think of ways to inspire.
The best analogies both explain and inspire. As a literary device, an analogy is a powerful way to communicate a message. However, it can also turn an idea into a vivid image in the reader’s mind that will stick long after they’ve finished reading.
Explanation:
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