Writing is a technical skill that will require people to actively try and practice the skill. Because writing is a technical skill, there are many techniques and ways one can improve the output of their writing, one of which is the integration of metaphors.
Metaphors are a figure of speech or literary devices, that authors use to directly connect two things often to draw a conclusion or sentiment from the comparison. The author can use metaphors to describe or refer to an object with something that isn’t literally true but figuratively true.
Metaphors are statements that follow a specific pattern, format, elements, or template, which you can easily understand and follow. If you need a reference you may use any of the metaphor samples and examples on the links above.
Begin by selecting two similar words or phrases you will connect and use to create a metaphor. These words can be common nouns, plural nouns, collective nouns, singular nouns, and proper nouns. Just be sure there is a trait or characteristic that you can clearly outline and compare between the chosen words or phrases.
After you have selected the words used in the metaphor, you must choose a specific intention or theme the metaphor will lead the reader through. Doing this will allow you to establish a direction and structure for your written metaphor.
You must create or formulate a statement or sentence that will connect the chosen words through either a positive or a negative light or connotation. This will help your reader easily understand the direction of the metaphor and the comparison the author makes.
You can choose to create and insert more metaphors in your written works by repeating steps one to three. Note, if you use too many metaphors, then the written output’s tone will be repetitive and stale.
A simile is a literary device that compares, contrasts, and juxtaposes two objects, events, concepts, or entities with each other by connecting them with the word “as” or “like”. For example, the sentence “You smell like the roses in the garden.” compares two things and connects the said ideas with the word “like”. A metaphor is a literary device that compares, contrasts, and juxtaposes two objects, events, concepts, or entities with each other without the use of the words “as” or “like”. Not only that but metaphors establish a more direct comparison between the object, events, concepts, and entities. For example, the sentence “Her twinkling eyes are stars” is a metaphor, as the statement of the sentence compares the noun “eyes” to the word “stars” without using the words “like” or “as”. This means that similes and metaphors are two different ways to describe and compare two objects, entities, events, and concepts with one another, albeit very similar in concept.
Yes, metaphors are one of the most commonly used literary devices and techniques. One of the best ways to make one’s poetry deeper is through the usage of metaphors to generate imagery and empathy with the reader or listener. Not only will metaphor allow the reader or listener to empathize with the author, but it also allows the said reader to inject their subjective perspective and thoughts into the interpretation of the poem, which creates a more holistic experience for the observer. Therefore, a good author or artist can use metaphors in one’s poetry to a great extent and higher impact.
There are many commonly used metaphors we can experience in our daily lives, often in the form of idioms or sayings. One example of a metaphor used as an idiom is “You are the apple of my eye” or other similar forms of the said idiom. The person saying the idiom refers to the listener as an apple, without the use of “like” and “as” in the idiom. When we refer to a person as an early bird through statements like “Alexa is an early bird, that is why she finishes her work early.”, we liken the person to the characteristics of an early bird without the usage of both words “like” and “as”.
A metaphor is a literary device that authors use to compare and contrast two things to formulate an idea or sentiment. The metaphor doesn’t use any connective words which will directly compare both ideas to one another. In conclusion, if one wants to be an effective writer, then one will need to know how to use and write metaphors.
