1. Using Language to Clarify Ideas
METAPHORS
Using Language to Clarify Ideas

2. Definition
A comparison of two dissimilar items that shows how one might have some of the qualities of the other
ex. I often talk about “tailoring your language to fit your audience.” The comparison is between language and a suit; writing and sewing are an implied metaphor.

3. Everyday Metaphors Raining cats and dogs Caught red handed
Shoot yourself in the foot
Go down the drain
N.B. Most of these are clichés. Don’t use them in your paper.

4. Writing Process
3 stages: planning, drafting, revising

5. Planning Find 3 everyday metaphors Find 3 metaphors from the field
Decide on audience/purpose
Research the selected metaphors
Complete audience analysis

6. Drafting Format: Introduction: ex. a discussion of your field
Body: your choice for organization of information
Conclusion: discuss the value of your field’s use of metaphors

7. Drafting 2 Specific information to include
Discussion of your field and its use of language
Definition of metaphor with citation of source
3 examples of everyday metaphors
3 examples of metaphors from your field
Evaluation of metaphor use

8. Revision Have preliminary draft ready for class group evaluations
Decide whether to accept advice
Choose best examples (ex. best common/field metaphor, best explanation of that metaphor) for Revision Discussion.

9. Requirements Information about your field
3 common metaphors with their meanings
3 field metaphors with explanations of their meanings, origins, purpose, effectiveness, problems.
Evaluation of metaphor use in your field as the conclusion.
Headings for each section of the report.
Double spacing, 12 pt. Font size.

10. Metaphor Exercise
Search for metaphor sites containing common and field metaphors.
Find metaphors to use in your paper.
Make a web page on your site that contains links to the sites you found for your paper, or send the url, site title, and metaphor(s) found to the Discussion Board.