|
|
| Writing Information |
|
|
|
|
Using Metaphor Effectively
We've all heard a politician on their soapbox, pushing for some policy change or cleaning up after a scandal. Some will cut out a sharp point, while others leave the audience in bewilderment. You can often thank - or blame - the use of metaphor for the outcome of a speech. Most often, the problem comes down to either poorly chosen metaphors, or "mixed" metaphors. A mixed metaphor is one in which half of the statement refers to something metaphorically that doesn't match the other half. Here's a hilarious example by cartoon superstar Homer Simpson: -----"These people are the glue that holds together the gears of our society."----- The metaphors "glue" and "holds together" aren't very appropriate when imagining gears. Gears are used in situations where there is movement, while glue is used to prevent movement. A sentence that puts these completely incompatible metaphors together is funny because it is perfectly ineffective but easily visualized. Had Homer said "...the glue that holds together the pieces of society", it would've been an effective metaphor and statement, but not at all funny. This is because "glue", "holds together" and "pieces" are all metaphors belonging to the same metaphor system, one that, in this case, suggests that society is a solid construct of many parts. But had Homer used half of the metaphors from "glue" and the other half from, say, "chemistry", many listeners would not have found humor at all, having too little knowledge from chemistry to find the metaphors reachable. If you want people to find what you are pointing to in a metaphor, make sure it's reachable to them. Take great care in selecting every metaphor you are using in a sentence, paragraph or entire work. Do the metaphors you use work well together? Do they create an image in the reader's mind that is consistent and easily visualized? Will most readers identify with the metaphor systems you refer to? Points to remember when building effective metaphors: 1) Make your metaphors consistent. The metaphor has been held in high regard by many cultures for thousands of years. Its use as a tool in the right hands can build imagery that will stand the test of time. In the wrong hands, the metaphor will make one's words fall flat, becoming soon forgotten. Build your metaphors to last - craft them carefully, deliberately and reachably. John D. Casnig is a writer and publisher in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. His current focus is on the metaphor and its use as a teaching and learning tool. His online arts magazine, Jaywalker Magazine of the Arts, features some of his work, as well as works from other people in his region.
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
To Outline Or Not To Outline Ah, the age-old writer's debate--to outline or not to outline? A Writers Tools William Faulkner, the great Mississippi writer, said, "The tools I need for work are paper, tobacco, food, and a little whisky." Writing the Chapters of Your Life: Surprising Insights Using This Special Journaling Technique List-making is a favorite journaling technique and is often used to quickly jot down a numbered record on topics like "my beliefs," "my pet peeves," "the things I hate about myself," or "my strengths." However, there's a special type of list technique that moves beyond a simple itemization and into the realm of significant self-awareness. Publisher Ethics For Reprint-able Articles Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics: Get Published: The Nuts and Bolts of Good English, and How to Impress a Publisher (1) Not all writers write good grammar. That's a fact. It's no big deal. Well, mostly it's no big deal. As a freelance books editor, I've seen hundreds of books whose authors cannot produce decent grammar and punctuation. I do it for them. I'm paid to do that -- mostly by the hour. A Writers Personal Cheer Squad We all need a cheer squad. Beginners Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as a Freelancer Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as a Freelancer by Brian S. Konradt of BSK Communications and Associates Through the Eyes of an Artist As writers, we initially tend to be either more cerebral or emotional than perceptive. Its occurs to me that writers are driven to express what they actually haven't figured out how to say verbally, but long to say somehow. Then, we at least have the struggle down on paper where we can move it around, erase it, start over and add to it. Seeing the words will perhaps give us a better chance of revising to something close to what we want to say. To Write Successful Business & Academic Communications, Learn the Architecture of a Story Human beings seem to be born with a gene for telling stories. Stories from our families, our communities, and the media form our worldview and shape our lives. In fact, scientists have discovered that our ability to create stories is intricately connected to our ability to learn. This is because our brains seek to create meaning through relationship, which is what stories do so well. Make Your Mark Upon Humanity The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and humanity is the book, the song, the poem the artwork or invention that is locked away within your consciousness. Boost Your Income With Trade Journals Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't the topics are dry? Don't they require specialized knowledge? Not necessarily. You may want to consider trade journals to increase the potential market for your articles ? and for the money. Trade publications make up a significant portion of the hidden source of funds for professional writers. Breaking in can be surprisingly easy ? when you know the tricks. How to Write Articles, Reports, and Books Quickly Do you have trouble getting your thoughts and ideas down into an article? Do you find it difficult to put 'pen to paper' to get your book started? Do you sit facing a blank screen struggling to find the words to write? If so, here are some tips and strategies you can use to get your material written quickly. How To Write Thank You Letters With Class When I first started tracking the information preferences of people visiting my Writing Help Central Web site I was surprised to find how many folks were seeking information on how to write thank you letters. In fact, "thank you letter" information and sample templates are the third ranked destinations at that Web site. Dreading the Writing Assignment? Outlines to the Rescue Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded by reams of research, notes and interviews. Where do you start? Water to Swim In Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire to be a published writer, or maybe I should I say �??Writer�?? with a capital �??W.�?? For some reason it always seemed a lofty goal, to want to see my byline in print. I found this trepidation totally uncharacteristic to every other area in my life. For twenty years, I have ministered to women both in small home group settings as well as conferences. Especially in conference settings, friends would ask, �??Are you nervous?�?? Almost every time I could answer truthfully that I was not. I could easily stand up in front of hundreds of faces and feel quite confident in my own abilities. Yet, to put an article or query in the mail, or to push the send button to some unknown editor elicited in me, absolute, consuming insecurity. 6 Ways to Jump-Start Your Writing Day 1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE Write Possibilities We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We dictate actions. We control destinies. Top Seven Essential Hot-Selling Points To Implement Before Writing Chapter One Every part of your book can be a sales tool. When you include the below tips, you will have a roadmap to follow to keep your writing organized and compelling, and you'll sell more books than you ever dreamed of! Local Knowledge: Background and Historical Setting in Novels You're writing a story set in your local city, but one hundred years in the past. How can you recreate the feel of the past in your words of the present? Local knowledge, that's how. And how do you get this sort of knowledge when your characters were walking around one hundred years ago and you're situated well and truly in the 21st century? Exploration on foot, a reliable camera and a willingness to stand on a street corner and imagine everything and everybody as it was in the past. The Daily Rite If you want to be a writer, then you must write - you must write something every day.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2005 |