METAPHORS.

ANALOGIES, AND SIMILES

Katie Connors

Analogy: A similarity between t w o things which are otherwise dissimilar. A comparison

made to show a similarity. Example—Academic Analogy: Charles Dickens:: A

Christmas Carol/J.K. Rowling:: Harry Potter.

Simile: Compares t w o different things using the words like^ as^nd^thaiL Examples —

smells like a rose, as ugly as a toad, faster than a speeding bullet

Metaphor: "Metaphor uses the familiar to explain something unfamiliar and describes

the conceptual using something tangible" (Jones 2008). Examples —love is a puzzle. He

ate u p the compliments. She was a p a w n i n his hand.

Why use metaphors, analogies, and similes?

~ " H a v i n g students classify, compare, contrast, and use analogies and metaphors

increases their achievement because they can look for similarities and differences

between ideas or things" (Marzano, Pickering & Pollack, 2001)

~"The majority of concepts are understood only i n relation to other concepts" (Lakoff &

Johnson, 1980)

~"When students connect what they are learning i n mathematics w i t h other content

areas, math is viewed as more useful and interesting than w h e n math is taught as a

separate subject" (Pasamentier& Jayce, 2006). i - v x •

-"Metaphor allows one to examine a concept f r o m a broader perspective, such as h o w

it applies across the curriculum, to the real w o r l d of the student, or to life as a w h o l e "
 Write an analogy about your field or about a subject i n your field:

References:

Estes, T. Mintz, S. &Gunter, M . (2011). Instruction: A Models Approach (6* ed.) Boston,

M A : Pearson.

Tate, M . L . (2010). Worsheets don't grow dendrites (2'"^ Ed.). Thousand Oaks, California:

Corwin.

Possible Future Resources:

Brown L. Theodore. (2003). Making Truth: Metaphors in Science. United States of America:

University of Illinois. , , .,. ,

http://www.abstractmath.org/MM/MMImagesMetaphors.htm

http://bogglesworldesl.com/metaphor_worksheets.htm . v v•

http:// www.buzzle.com/ articles/metaphor-list.html