What is a Metaphor?
Metaphors are a literary technique used to express a concept that is too complex or abstract to be expressed in the ordinary sense. A metaphor helps to make a point more vivid, and it can make reading more exciting. This article discusses what a good metaphor is and how to use it in your work. It also explains how to avoid confusing your audience with too many different words. Using a metaphor effectively is essential for effective writing. What is a metaphor?
How to Know – What is a Metaphor?
One of the most common uses of metaphors is in riddles. A metaphor compares two different things, usually unrelated to each other, by comparing the shared quality of the two objects. In a story, a writer or speaker will compare the two things without using comparison words. In a sentence, the audience will recognize the comparison and will get the meaning of the comparison. A metaphor is derived from the Latin word “meta,” meaning “to carry across,” as it carries a shared quality between two distinct things.
Another common use of metaphors is in fiction. A good writer can use a single word or phrase as a metaphor in their writing. They’ll identify the subject of the story by bolding it and then expand it to make it more relevant and powerful. The metaphor should have the same effect in the reader’s mind as the subject, making it a useful tool for the author. However, when using a metaphor in a non-fiction piece, it’s important to identify the subject.
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