Hello I have a problem with the understanding the differences between these tools. This is what I came up with at the end: Analogy: Virus in a sick human body works as love woks in in love men soul Simile: Love is like a virus Metaphor: Love is a virus (Sorry for the poor English. Not my language) Not sure that I understood the differences...
Have you tried to read the definitions of each, in your own language? If you made those sentences yourself, then you surely understand something about the differences because you did made those sentences different.
Analogy is where you make a comparison between things. In your example, it compares a virus to love to show something about how the virus works. Simile is where you say how something is like something else. In your example, it simply states that love is like a virus (but doesn't say how). Metaphor is where you say that one thing literally is something else. In your example, it states that love is not merely like a virus, it actually is a virus. The implied meaning is non-literal however (the listener would be expected to understand that you don't really mean it is a virus, but are stating that it is one for effect). ETA - moved to Word Mechanics
Thank you for you answer. I did read the wiki definitions. And few others. I am new to the subject of writing. As I see it, and please correct me if I am wrong, analogy is a metaphor, with a complete explanation of the "bridge" between the source and the target. No cognitive work, no imagination, is required to build this "bridge". "Root for the tree is the same as morality teaching for the kids in family" Analogy "The roots of the family are teaching the kids about a morality" Metaphor
No, an analogy is closer to a simile than it is to a metaphor. The distinction is in the literal meaning of what you say. With metaphor, you state that one thing literally is another. But with both simile and analogy, you state only how those things are alike.
Thanks for the clear explanation. Like for you. So in case of a metaphor, I FORCEFULLY state that A is B. And a readers mind is working to create the missing part. And in case of a simile and analogy I literally explain the similarity between A and B. Right ? Generally speaking, is a metaphor a better tool for sensations creation (mind works and creates/completes a missing part of a puzzle, hence rewards a reader in a form of sensations)?
You're welcome Yes, exactly. If you say "love is a virus", most readers will know you don't actually mean that literally, and will infer the real meaning (i.e. in what ways love is like a virus). Well, you don't have to explain the similarity. You just state it. Stating a similarity would be "love is like a virus". Explaining it would be "love is like a virus because it is infectious". Both are similes--you don't need to have the explanation of why one thing is like another for the statement to qualify as simile. Also with analogy - "love works in mens' souls like a virus in their bodies" does not require any further explanation (of how love works like a virus) in order for it to be classified as an analogy. It depends what feel you want to go for and what you're writing about. There is no rule for when to use metaphor, when to use analogy and when to use simile. I generally try to use metaphor as much as possible as I find it produces a more mature style. But analogy and simile can be just as effective if used correctly and in an appropriate place.
I've always seen an analogy as being closer to an argument or explanation--longer, and often with more than one point of similarity. I'm seeing the three this way. I'm curious as to whether I've got it right: Metaphor: We set out in the morning, trudging under the grey ceiling of clouds. Simile: The cloudy sky was like a grey ceiling. Analogy: Imagine the sky as a ceiling. The clouds are the grey paint, the sun is a can light. Like any ceiling, the sky can affect the mood of a hiker...
In an effort to keep thing uncomplicated, I'd say the above examples tell me you understand the difference very well.
