How Metaphors Shape Our

Thinking and Writing

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a

word or phrase is applied to an object or concept it does not literally denote in order to suggest comparison with its basic meaning.

Examples:

This assignment was a breeze.Her eyes were fireflies.

What is a metaphor?

A simile is a comparison between two unlike

items on the basis of a shared quality using “like” or “as”

Example: Your cookies taste like lumps of sand.

Non-example: Your cookies taste like my cookies. (This is comparing two alike things and, therefore, is NOT a simile.)

What is a simile?

For this discussion, let’s forget the differences

between metaphors and similes.

Both metaphors and similes can be summed up in the following definition: “I is an Other”

This definition is also a title of a book by James Geary.

Metaphors and Similes

James Geary on Metaphors: TED talkhttp://www.ted.com/talks/james_geary_metaphorically_speaking.html

http://prezi.com/mojdt36mrozf/mixing-mind-and-metaphor/

If the video doesn’t work…

Use index cards of three different colors. Distribute them

to students and have one group write adjectives, another – concrete nouns, and the third group – abstract nouns.

Put them together randomly in the following phrase:

the (adjective) (concrete noun) of (abstract noun)

Shuffle and experiment!

Let’s Build a Metaphor!

Turn an image into a metaphor

When I was little, I once owned a… Write in the name of a toy, game, article of

clothing, pet, etc. Describe this object using at least three senses

and at least three adjectives. Cross out “When I was little, I once owned” Replace it with “My childhood WAS”

Mad-Lib something!

Great exercise for small groups

Elicits freedom of expression

Sometimes can lead to improvements and happy accidents

http://www.madglibs.com/showglib.php?glibid=64

“Why Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog” by Taylor Mali

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LcYt7qZhOs

Planting a garden…

Pulling teeth…

Riding a bicycle…

Walking on the beach…

Other?

Why Teaching Writing is Like…

A short and clever saying that provides an

interesting observation.

In his book The World in a Phrase, James Geary defines aphorisms as “fine, incisive sayings that in dark times and in light help us see the world more smartly.”

What is an Aphorism?

Benjamin Franklin: Early to bed and early to

rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Mark Twain: Do not put off till tomorrow what

can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well.

Benjamin Franklin: A good example is the best sermon.

Mark Twain: Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

Franklin vs. Twain

Five Laws of Aphorisms

According to James Geary, aphorisms must be…

Brief Definitive Personal Philosophical And come with a

twist.

http://www.jamesgeary.com/performances.php

Thanks for coming to my presentation!