Metaphors, Similes, Analogies
For most of us, a day without metaphors, similes and analogies is like a day without sunshine. For some of us, certain events or observations leave us at a loss for good descriptive words, and it is in those moments that a well-worn metaphor, simile or analogy is put to use. Specifically, a metaphor is a figure of speech in which an object or idea is used in place of the actual object or idea suggesting an analogy or likeness between the two. A simile compares two objects or ideas often using the word, like. Although some examples can appear to be trite, others can be used as powerful descriptive tools that speak to the unconscious mind by the use of symbols.
In some situations, a metaphor can relay a thought or information while using the fewest word possible. An example of this can be noted in the way my friend's father, Art, is often described. "He is a pillar of the community." He is, of course, not a block of marble, but in limited terms the idea of leadership is at once conveyed. His status as a pillar, however, came tumbling down at about eleven at night one week ago.
Art, often described by many as 'a pillar of the community,' was arrested last Friday night after police caught him driving like a bat out of hell down Elm Street. This was undoubtedly the darkest day of Art's life. Handcuffed and badly shaken, he was taken to the local cooler where he was left like so much flotsam until his old lady, Brandy, posted bond in the wee hours of the following morning. It is speculated that the reason Brandy took her sweet time in dragging her can to the cooler, is that Art had been up to his armpits with an enormous assortment of gold-digging girlfriends. Looking sheepish as he was released from a jail of metal bars and taken into the custody of his marital warden, the arrest undoubtedly clipped his wings, at least for the time being.
It is through the use of familiar symbols that metaphors, similes and analogies can be used to not only paint a very clear picture, but to create a unique writing style.
Upton Sinclair's The Jungle The Use of Style to Craft an Argument: Upton Sinclair's the Jungle "Sinclair uses language effectively, and in a variety of ways, to shape his characters and develop his themes" and thus effectively created a novel that outraged the public and created the beginnings of reform in American industry (Oatman 30). Upton Sinclair's most infamous novel, The Jungle, is a story of an immigrant worker forced into a
Therefore he establishes a strong personal ethos which he sustains throughout the remainder of the speech, (Rowland, p. 237). Reagan knew that many in the audience which he was speaking to had actually been through the very even he spoke about. Therefore, he had to establish a very personalized ethos in order to live up to their expectations of his speech; as well as to better connect the event
Again, he uses dialect that his fans can relate to instead of being concerned about 'proper English'. This is very effective at making the words identifiable to his audience. The more people can relate to what you are saying, the more likely they are to take it to heart and actually do what you are asking them to do: "It's time for us as a people to start makin'
The author's point-of-view is certainly visible in the text, but it is based purely on objective facts and as such the text's language remains highly objective, as well. There is no discernible overall shift in the book, though there are sentences where is personal opinion is made more clear than others. He quickly recovers by stating mitigating facts, however, remaining highly objective. There is an overall organizational structure to the book,
Then he continued to express his understanding towards those who had been so vehement in their opposition of the war during the previous years. After he explained the current state, he returned to the past in order to further prove his point. He began speaking about the origin of the war and America's early involvement in the overseas conflict, which many had no idea why we would have begun our involvement
In sports terms, to which most Americans can relate, it is the idea of passing backward in soccer in order to move forward with the ball. Also, in arguments, it is making a concession to keep the communication going. In labor disputes, it is compromising to find a middle ground. Many times one has to yield, back down, empty oneself before overcoming, feeling straight, filling up. James Autrey wrote, Real
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