What device is a comparison of two unlike things which says one thing is another?

Should you use a metaphor, a simile, or an analogy in your writing?

While all three are closely related, it’s smart to understand the differences. The distinctions among metaphors, similes, and analogies will also help underscore why you may want to use one and not the other in certain situations.

Now that we know metaphors can be powerful persuasion tools, let’s make sure everyone is on the same page from a definitional standpoint.

Let’s take a look at some basic definitions before exploring each one further …

A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses one thing to mean another and makes a comparison between the two. A simile compares two different things in order to create a new meaning. An analogy is comparable to metaphor and simile in that it shows how two different things are similar, but it’s a bit more complex.

Remember, metaphors use “one thing to mean another.”

So, when someone says, “He’s become a shell of a man,” we know not to take this literally, even though it’s stated directly as if this person had actually lost his internal substance.

Simile

In the case of similes, we are made explicitly aware that a comparison is being made due to the use of “like” or “as.” (He’s like a shell of a man.)

For fun, the next time someone corrects you and says, “That’s a simile, not a metaphor,” you can respond by letting them know that a simile is a type of metaphor, just like sarcasm is a type of irony.

Resist the urge to be sarcastic in your delivery.

Analogy

Rather than a figure of speech, an analogy is more of a logical argument.

The presenter of an analogy will often demonstrate how two things are alike by pointing out shared characteristics, with the goal of showing that if two things are similar in some ways, they are similar in other ways as well.

Why metaphor?

There are circumstances where either a simile or an analogy is the more appropriate vehicle for getting your point across.

But coming up with a great metaphor may be your best bet in many situations. A metaphor carries so much more power than a simile, because it’s direct.

Using “like” or “as” to make an open comparison will often diminish the vivid visual you’re trying to paint in the reader’s mind.

Likewise, a spot-on metaphor will spark instant understanding for a reader, without the elaboration that an analogy requires.

From here, we’ll examine specific ways to use metaphor in your blog posts. Headlines, openings, themes, calls to action and more can all benefit from the use of metaphor, as long as the metaphors don’t suck.

We’ll look at ways to avoid that, too.

Did you miss the first post in this series? Read it now: Become a Master of Metaphor and Multiply Your Marketing Effectiveness

Next in the series:

5 Smart Ways to Use Metaphors to Create Irresistible Content

The Persuasive Power of Analogy

On the contrary, Metaphor is a figure of speech wherein a word or phrase represents an object or idea that is used instead to show the likeness between the two. In other words, a metaphor suggests the meaning by creating an image for the reader, whereas a simile creates a picture by exemplifying it.

Content: Simile Vs Metaphor

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Examples
5. How to remember the difference

Comparison Chart

Definition of Simile

In English, a simile refers to a phrase that describes something by making a comparison between items of a different category. These are used to indicate similarities between two different objects and also to exaggerate the quality of something.

Basically, simile is a type of metaphor that make use of words ‘like’ or ‘as’ or ‘than’ and sometimes verbs like ‘appears’ or ‘seems’ to show resemblance and compare things, to the reader and listener in a better way. Take a look at the examples below:

• Paul danced like Michael Jackson, at the party.
• She is as beautiful as Angelina Jolie.

It must be noted that simile is present only when the compared objects belong to different classes, however, when the objects are of same class, then there is no simile, As you can see in the example below:

• Kashmir is like Switzerland.
• The pastry is like a small piece of cake.

Definition of Metaphor

In literature, Metaphor refers to a figure of speech that characterizes a person or object by referring to someone or something possessing similar virtues with that person or object. It helps to describe the person or object in such a manner that is not exactly true but clarifies the idea, by stating one thing is something else.

A metaphor attempts to associate two objects, owing to comparison or symbolism and not because they are similar. Metaphors are a figurative statement whose literal expression is not meaningful, but they indicate something distinct from their regular definition. Let’s have a look at the examples below:

• Life is a battleground.
• Peter is a momma’s boy
• She is a couch potato.

So, a metaphor usually compares two such things which are not usually thought of as similar.

The difference between simile and metaphor can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

1. A simile is a figurative statement, wherein two, unlike objects, are compared, by means of words as and like. Conversely, a metaphor is a figure of speech which can be a word or phrase for one thing that points out another, to express that they are similar.
2. A simile is a metaphor, but vice versa is not true, because, a simile is a type of metaphor. As against, a metaphor is a kind of non-literal language.
3. In the case of simile, we make use of connectives such as ‘like’ and ‘as’ to indicate that the subject is similar to something. On the other hand, metaphors do not use the connectives as it indicates that the subject is something else.
4. Similes contain a direct comparison of two things, metaphor impliedly compare two objects.

Examples

Simile

• Raman is as tall as a Giraffe.
• The man laughs like a donkey.
• He argues like a lawyer.

Metaphor

• My brother is Doremon.
• Amir is a live encyclopedia.
• She was the heroine of the movie.

How to remember the difference

Both metaphors and simile are mainly used in poetry and are used to understand the subject with the help of a compared person, object or action, but they are different. A simile is one that compares two unlike things directly. As against, a metaphor is nothing but a term considers something as another thing just to highlight the idea or context to the reader.

So, in a metaphor, the subject is said to be or considered as something else, whereas in a simile, the subject is like another.