2. ANALOGY
An analogy is a literary technique in which two unrelated objects are compared for their
shared qualities.
EXAMPLES:
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but
when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from
within. (Quote by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in The Leader’s Digest by Jim Clemmer, 2003)
In this quote, the groundbreaking psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross (well-known for her
5 Stages of Grief) gives an analogy about the human condition, saying that people, like
stained-glass, work differently in situations of light and dark.
3. ANALOGY
“My momma always said “life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re
gonna get!” (Forrest Gump)
Here, Forrest Gump shares a very memorable analogy, beginning with the simile “life
was like a box of chocolates.” But, this is an analogy because it gives further support and
explanation for the comparison, showing that life has many choices and surprises, just
like a box of chocolate.
4. ANALOGY
It’s important to remember that a metaphor is not a kind of analogy – it’s a different
figure of speech altogether. However, it’s very similar to analogy in that they both
depend on some kind of similarity between two different objects.
Example of an analogy versus simile and metaphor:
Simile: Life is like a garden.
Metaphor: Life is a garden.
Analogy: Life is just like a garden–it is ever growing and changing, needing care and dedication, and
always filled with beautiful surprises.
Again, it’s important to remember that metaphors and similes are figures of speech,
while analogies are NOT. However, they are very similar to analogies in that they both
depend on some kind of similarity between two different objects.
5. PARALLELISM
It may feature repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis, or it can be used as a literary device to
create a parallel position between opposite ideas through grammatical elements as a means of
emphasizing contrast.
Examples:
One of the most well-known examples of parallelism is featured in Neil Armstrong’s statement, made
as he stepped on the moon: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The
structure of the two noun phrases in this sentence is similar due to the repeated use of “one.” This
engages the audience’s attention and emphasizes the contrast between “small step for man” and
“giant leap for mankind.” The significance of the event and the meaning of Armstrong’s statement are
enhanced through his use of parallelism.
6. PARALLELISM
Many common phrases feature parallelism through repetition of words, structure, or other grammatical
elements. This calls attention to the wording and can emphasize the phrase’s meaning. Here are some
common examples of parallelism:
•he that will cheat at play, will cheat you any way
•stupid is as stupid does
•cousins by chance; friends by choice
•luck is the idol of the idle
•no pain, no gain
•in for a penny, in for a pound
•you get what you get
•where there is smoke, there is fire
•when the going gets tough, the tough get going
•it takes one to know one
•have money in your head, not in your heart
•I think, therefore I am
7. REPETITION
Repetition is the repeating of a word or phrase. It is a common rhetorical device used to add emphasis
and stress in writing and speech. Repetition is widely used in both poetry and prose; throughout
all genres and forms of literature and oral tradition. Aside from helping stress or highlight important
thoughts and points, repetition can be a key tool for authors and speakers in developing style, tone, and
rhythm.
Common Examples of Repetition
We use repetition every day without realizing it. These are examples that you probably hear people say every day:
•Time after time;
•Heart-to-heart;
•Hand in hand;
•Get ready, get set, go;
•Home sweet home;
•It is what it is.
8. METAPHOR
Metaphor (pronounced meh-ta-for) is a common figure of speech that makes a comparison by
directly relating one thing to another unrelated thing. Unlike similes, metaphors do not use words such
as “like” or “as” to make comparisons. The writer or speaker relates the two unrelated things that are
not actually the same, and the audience understands that it’s a comparison, not a literal equation.4
Writers use metaphor to add color and emphasis to what they are trying to express. For
instance, if you say someone has “a sea of knowledge,” you are using a metaphor to express how
smart or educated they are. “Knowledge” and “the sea” are not literally related, but they are
figuratively related because they are both immense things that are difficult to measure. By putting
them together, you can accentuate how vast a person’s knowledge is.
9. METAPHOR
She was a rock star at our last business presentation.
This is probably not referring to a literal rock star falling from space or the other common metaphor: a
musician performing at a rock concert. Instead, it simply means the person delivered a great performance
at the meeting and stood out like a rock star on the stage.
Example
Metaphor: All the world’s a stage.
Simile: All the world is like a stage.
Example
Metaphor: My heart is a lonely hunter.
Simile: My heart is like a lonely hunter.
