Is your writing too drab? Do you think your copy needs some spice? Is your straightforward statement of facts unable to relay what you are trying to communicate? You might want to consider using metaphors to tune your writing into shape.
Metaphors are figures of speech that applies a noun or a phrase to an object or action, in order to imply a resemblance . Done well, they can improve a statement’s clarity as well as engage the reader’s imagination. The following are examples of metaphors:
“His hand was colder than a sheet of ice.”
“Her handwriting was more cryptic than a doctor’s prescription.”
“That show was funnier than Seinfeld on steroids.”
It is important to note that metaphors are different from similes. While they both express a resemblance between two things, a simile does it in a direct way, usually introduced by “as” or “like.” The above metaphors, for instance, can be expressed as a simile the following way:
“His hand was as cold as a sheet of ice.”
“Her handwriting was cryptic, just like a doctor’s prescription.”
“That show was as funny as Seinfeld on steroids.”
You can use both to spice up your writing. Typically, good writers tend to use both types of adornment to introduce variety in their copy.
As a precaution, make sure you use metaphors appropriately. Using the wrong metaphor will not only make your copy confusing, but also make it look severely amateurish. Many all-in-one English software can handle common metaphors and determine their appropriateness, so make sure you employ them as a way to ensure you’re applying things correctly.
Tags: figures of speech, metaphors, similes
