11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.

com

Home / Education / Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples)

EDUCATION
• SEP 26, 2022

Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With

Examples)

Share
by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Chief Data Scientist & Head of Content

Figurative language has been ingrained in the language used in daily life. Figures of
speech are said to give language a more vibrant and colorful quality, as stated by
Palmer and Brooks (2004). In a more everyday context, metaphors are often used to
move the discourse from one subject to another (Drew & Holt, 1998).

Metaphors are going to be the primary subject of this article since they are one of the
most popular figurative language devices utilized today. In the following sections, we
will cover the definition of a metaphor as well as its function, and we will present
instances of appropriate metaphors that may improve communication, whether it be
written or spoken.

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 1/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

What Is a Metaphor Table of Contents

• What is a metaphor?
• Metaphors vs. Similes
• Types of Metaphors
• The Purposes and Usage of Metaphors
• Metaphor Comprehension in Kids

Language has greatly evolved since its emergence in the early prehistory of man.
Through the ages, humans have learned to use words not only to express thoughts and
emotions but also to use them in a way that deviates from conventionally accepted
definitions and conveys more complicated meaning. The latter is what is often referred
to as figurative language. According to American rhetorician John F. Genung, figurative
language is an “intentional deviation from the plan and ordinary mode of speaking for
the sake of greater effect.”

One of the earliest forms of figurative language still used today is the metaphor.
Several studies have explored metaphors as a fixture of human language. Ortony
(1929), for instance, suggested that all languages are of metaphorical quality.
Likewise, metaphorical concepts have been heavily used in fields such as psychology,
sociology, and education (Zhang & Hu, 2009). It is also prevalent in many artforms,
often seen as an essential element of writing a book.

This article delves deeper into the concept of the metaphor and its various types to
shed light on this popular figure of speech. The following sections also discuss a
number of studies exploring the use of metaphors in various situations and
environments outside literature.

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 2/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a figure of speech where a word or phrase denoting one object or idea is
used in place of another. Metaphors are often used to suggest a likeness or analogy
between these objects or ideas, even when they seem contradictory (Definition of
Metaphor, n.d.). Because of their seemingly contradictory nature and ability to add
nuance to ideas and concepts, metaphors are often used as literary or rhetorical
devices.

One commonly cited example of a metaphor, for instance, is “All the world’s a stage,
and all the men and women merely players,” found in William Shakespeare’s play As
You Like It. In this example, Shakespeare establishes points of comparison between the
world and a stage to convey an understanding of how the world works and human
behavior.

In 1937, rhetorician Ivor Armstrong Richards identified two parts or components of a

metaphor: the tenor and the vehicle. The tenor is the subject of the metaphor, the idea
to which attributes are ascribed. Meanwhile, the vehicle carries the weight of the
comparison and lends the attributes to the tenor. In the above example from
Shakespeare’s As You Like It, for instance, the concept of “the world” is ascribed the
attributes of a stage; as such, in the said metaphor, “the world” is the tenor while “a
stage” is the vehicle.

Metaphors vs Similes

Because of their similar nature, metaphors are most often compared with similes. Both
types of figurative language are used to make comparisons between ideas and objects.

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 3/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

However, the distinct difference between these two figures of speech lies in their
wording: similes contain the words “like” or “as” to create comparisons. Through the
use of these words, similes create direct comparisons. Metaphors, on the other hand,
imply comparison.

The following is an example of a simile in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: “Is love a
tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.” In these
lines, love’s potential to inflict pain is compared to a thorn.

Types of Metaphors
Scholarly articles could list anywhere from three to 20 different types of metaphors.
The following list includes the most common types of metaphors used in speech and
writing today.

Common Metaphors

Common metaphors are the most frequently used metaphors today. In common
metaphors, the links between objects and ideas can be easily identified and
understood. For this reason, these metaphors are also sometimes called direct
metaphors, primary metaphors, or conventional metaphors.

Examples of common metaphors include:

• beat a dead horse

• early bird
• couch potato
• heart of gold
• a fish out of water

Implied metaphors

Unlike common metaphors, implied metaphors do not make a direct comparison.

Implied metaphors do not state the comparison outright but instead hint at the
likeness between objects or ideas. These metaphors create more vivid imagery and
allow writers to paint a more detailed picture.

The following are examples of implied metaphors.

Prepaid Plans Savings Plans

Alabama Alaska
Colorado Alabama
Florida Arkansas
Illinois Arizona

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 4/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

Prepaid Plans Savings Plans

Kentucky California
Massachusetts Colorado
Maryland Connecticut
Michigan District of Columbia
Mississippi Delaware
New Mexico Florida
Nevada Georgia
Ohio Hawaii
Pennsylvania Iowa
South Carolina Idaho
Tennessee Illinois
Texas Indiana
Virginia Kansas
Washington Kentucky
West Virginia Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
North Carolina
North Dakota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
New York
Ohio

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 5/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

Prepaid Plans Savings Plans

Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming

Extended metaphors

Extended metaphors can be implied or direct, but one quality that sets these
metaphors apart is their length. Also called sustained metaphors, these figures of
speech get their name from the fact that they extend for several lines, sentences, or
even paragraphs. Extended metaphors build upon simpler metaphors, containing
multiple linked tenors and vehicles throughout a body of text, such as a poem or a
story.

The following example of an extended metaphor can be found in Shakespeare’s Romeo

and Juliet:

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou her maid art far more fair than she:

Be not her maid, since she is envious;

Her vestal livery is but sick and green

And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.

In this extended metaphor, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, and the comparison
extends over multiple lines.
https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 6/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

Sensory metaphors

In sensory metaphors, figurative language is used to appeal to the senses of sight,

sound, smell, taste, or touch. The following are examples of metaphors that help create
a clearer picture in readers’ minds:

• Her voice is music to my ears.

• The boy’s smile lit up the room as he opened birthday presents.
• His vanilla preferences in a thesis topic failed to impress the panel.

Mixed metaphors

In mixed metaphors, two or more inconsistent or incongruent metaphors are used

together in a sentence. This often results in an unintentional comic effect due to the
disparate nature of the elements used in the metaphor. Used intentionally, however, a
mixed metaphor can be effective at making a point. However, for the sake of clarity, it is
best to avoid the usage of mixed metaphors.

The following are examples of mixed metaphors and corresponding explanations.

   

Dead metaphors

Also called a frozen metaphor or a historical metaphor, a dead metaphor is a figure of

speech that has lost its connection to the imagery it was meant to evoke due to
extensive usage. This means the metaphor is so commonly used that it can be fully
understood even without knowledge of its original context.

According to Pawelec (2006), dead metaphors are the result of gradual semantic shifts
that occur as a language evolves.

The following are examples of overused metaphors and their origins.

Singapore 551.7
Hong Kong 532.7
Japan 528.7
Macau 527.3
Estonia 524.3
Canada 523.7
Taiwan 523.7
Finland 522.7
https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 7/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

Singapore 551.7
South Korea 519
China 514.3
Ireland 509.3
Slovenia 509.3
Germany 508
Netherlands 508
Switzerland 506.3

The Purposes and Usage of Metaphors

While metaphors have been described as the fundamental language of poetry
(“Metaphor”, n.d.), these figures of speech have been commonly applied in a wide
variety of settings and environments. As discussed below, a number of studies have
explored the purpose and significance of metaphors in settings such as medicine,
health, and business.

Metaphor usage in medicine

A 2020 study by Hommerberg et al explored the use of metaphors such as “battle” and
“journey” in Swedish blogs about living with advanced cancer. The study found that,
through metaphors, individuals were able to highlight different aspects of their
experience. The researchers suggested that awareness of metaphors commonly used
by patients can help health professionals develop a common language with patients
and subsequently improve the quality of palliative care. As such, it is common to utilize
metaphors in communication techniques employed in fields such as public health.

Metaphor usage in politics

Several scholars have studied the use of metaphors in politics. According to Goatly
(2011), metaphors can be used to deliberately and consciously construct reality by
categorizing certain features as critical and others as noncritical. Moreover, Chilton
(2003) asserts that metaphors can be used in political discourse to justify the actions or
decisions of those in power.

In a more concrete sense, in 2014, Sahragard and Rasti found that the newspaper The
Economist used and manipulated metaphorical scenarios to justify and emphasize the
effectiveness of West-backed sanctions against Iran and portray Iran’s nuclear plans as
illicit and unwarranted.

Metaphor usage in business and management

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 8/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

In 2013, Hoßfeld studied how companies used metaphors in their own mass
communication to prevent resistance to downsizing. Hoßfeld found that companies
have approached the threat of resistance to downsizing by using metaphors that
suggest conformity with ideas of good or correct management. The analysis further
identified persuasive concepts—namely concealing metaphor, euphemistic metaphor,
and urgency and control metaphor—that companies use to build a facade of legitimacy
for managerial practices. Furthermore, metaphors are common techniques leverages in
business management strategies in order to communicate with various workforce
groups.

Metaphor Comprehension in Kids

A 2015 study by Rubio-Fernandez and Grassmann suggested that preschool-age
children encountered difficulties with understanding metaphors because of their
limitations with assigning second labels to concepts. The study, which included children
aged three and four, found that only four-year-olds were capable of successfully
assigning second labels to objects and understanding metaphors.

These findings can help teachers better understand figurative competence in kids and
adjust teaching methods accordingly. For instance, given the difficulties kids encounter
in assigning second labels to objects or ideas, teachers may consider using metaphors
with comparisons that are easier to understand. These metaphor examples for kids can
involve animals (e.g. “The classroom is a zoo,” “The ballerina was a swan, moving across
the stage.”) or nature (e.g. “The boy was a shining star,” “Her long hair was a dark,
flowing river.”) to aid comprehension.

Tips on Using Metaphors Correctly

When used correctly, metaphors can provide a number of benefits. These figures of
speech can help make concepts more real and tangible, improving understanding.
Writers can also use metaphors to create vivid imagery in poetry or prose, maximizing
impact on readers. The following tips can help writers use metaphors correctly and
avoid the pitfalls of metaphor usage.

• Objects being compared must have a natural connection. A metaphor is most

effective when the concepts being compared have natural similarities. Avoid forcing
similarities to fit an idea.
• Metaphors shouldn’t make a piece of writing unnecessarily complicated.
Metaphors should be used to make complex concepts easier to understand. These
figures of speech should work to make writing more concise.
• Metaphors should have a purpose. Metaphors should be meaningful. These figures
can be used for clarification or emphasis, or to convey the depths of an idea or
concept.

 
https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 9/12
11/23/22, 7:11 PM Good Metaphors for Writing Essays (With Examples) | Research.com

References:

• Chilton, P. (2004). Analyzing Political Discourse: Theory and Practice. Abingdon-on-

Thames, England: Routledge. Google Books
• Definition of metaphor (n.d.). Merriam Webster.
• Drew, P., & Holt, E. (1998). Figures of speech: Figurative expressions and the
management of topic transition in conversation. Language in Society, 27 (4), 495-
522. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4168872
• Goatly, A. (2011). The Language of Metaphors. Abingdon-on-Thames, England:
Routledge. Google Books
• Keil, F. C. (1986). Conceptual domains and the acquisition of metaphor. Cognitive
Development, 1 (1), 73-96.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2014(86)80024-7
• Hommerberg, C., Gustafsson, A. W., & Sandgren, A. (2020). Battle, journey,
imprisonment, and burden: Patterns of metaphor use in blogs about living with
advanced cancer. BMC Palliative Care, 19 (59). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-020-
00557-6
• Hoßfeld, H. (2013). Corporate dieting. Persuasive use of metaphors in downsizing.
Management Revue, 53-70.  https://www.jstor.org/stable/41783738
• Metaphor | Definition & examples (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Palmer, B. C., & Brooks, M. A. (2004). Reading until the cows come home: Figurative
language and reading comprehension. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 47 (5),
370-379. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40017523
• Pawelec, A. (2006). The death of metaphor. Studia Linguistica Universitatis Iagellonicae
Cracoviensis, 123, 117–121. Jagiellonian University Repository
• Richards, I. A. (1936). The Philosophy of Rhetoric. Oxford, London: Oxford University
Press. Google Books
• Rubio-Fernández, P., & Grassmann, S. (2016). Metaphors as second labels: Difficult
for preschool children? Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 45 (4), 931-
944. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-015-9386-y
• Sahragard, R., & Rasti, A. (2014). Metaphors we (de)legitimize by: Patterns of
metaphor use in The Economist. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English
Literature, 3 (3), 90. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.3n.3p.90
• Zhang, F., & Hu, J. (2009). A study of metaphor and its application in language learning
and teaching. International Education Studies, 2 (2), 77-81. ERIC

Related Articles

https://research.com/education/good-metaphors-for-writing-essays#what 10/12