Teaching is a metaphor. Constantly. Sometimes it drains me; sometimes it inspires me. Other times, I just laugh because, honestly, you guys crack me up!
After reading this blog post, I realized that every day of my life is, in fact, a metaphor. Guest Post: James Geary on Metaphor, A Taxonomy
In an effort (nerdy) to figure out what type of metaphor-user I am, I tried to place the metaphors I use regularly into James Geary's categories. I found I am mostly an equal-opportunity employer of metaphor.
How often or when do you use metaphors? Why? What would the world look like without the use of metaphor? What if we didn't use this ability to draw these comparisons in order to explain what a thing is (or is not)? How does using metaphor allow us to expand communication (written and oral) in a way that allows us to add more detail to our point of view? How important is this technique?
I try to use metaphors a couple times an essay. I use them when just a description isn't enough. It also adds FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE! Without the use of metaphors everything would be as it seems, instead of being compared to something. The great part of metaphors are turning one situation into another totally different one, while making sense. Metaphors are very important because they put some variety into writing, while challenging our brains to think of fun and insightful comparisons.
ReplyDeleteRYAN G P6
I am not really fond of metaphors. I don't really get them, and I feel as if I never can think of a good one to say or write. I actually prefer similes. That's why I feel as if I never say metaphors. However, most of the metaphors listed in the article I can actually find myself saying. The metaphor that I would most likely say would be crystal clear. I can actually imagine a world without metaphors. Everything would be taken literally. Metaphors allow us to expand communication because it gives you something to refer to that is very similar to the object you are trying to describe. It allows you to give the person you are describing and object to an image of what the object looks like.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, what do you guys believe is better: a metaphor or simile?
Yuval S.
Period 3
I despise metaphors, so I rarely use them. Mrs. Powers may hate this statement, but to me, metaphors seem pointless in an essay. I can either use a simile or just an adjective to describe the situation. Metaphors do add figurative language, but I find that in an essay they turn the voice into seriousness, countering the overall purpose of voice. They seem to be more of a poetic quality because they have a deeper meaning. Idioms and similes are just more expressive and humorous (my life). To me, idioms are like hippies (oh ya, a simile). They are too deep. Being a math and science guy, I prefer a straight answer that gives a more direct approach. Without metaphors, our world would be less expressive. A metaphor is worth a thousand words, because it allows a simple comparison to be made in a short sentence. It is a form of expression that is vital to life. They may not be my personal preference, but that does not mean some other writer doesn't adore them.
ReplyDeleteJake Ukleja Period 8-2 (or 6)
P.S. Yuval, I am for team simile!
I honestly don't use metaphors that often. I know that I should, but I just don't. I find that they are somewhat confusing, and frankly, a little annoying. They are almost just like a simile, but with the exception of a few words. I think that if no one ever in their life used metaphors, the world would be pretty boring. Figurative language makes many aspects of the world a lot more interesting. I think that the use of a metaphor makes a lot of conversations more interesting. They add life and fun to certain forms of communication. I think that this is a very important technique that we cannot afford to lose. If metaphors didn't exist a lot in life would be boring.
ReplyDeleteKevin S period 5
I use metaphors in some situations; for example, in a creative writing piece, but I don't like to use them in the essays we write in class. I feel like they "don't fit" into the writing, like "Lil' Wayne" (a famous rapper, for those of you who don't know) at a classical music concert. For me, metaphors are used in a more creative, artistic, poetic form of writing. I think the technique to be able to put metaphors in writing is very important because it "takes it up a notch". By using metaphors, you're able to indirectly describe something and paint a picture in the reader's mind. Metaphors also make writing more interesting. Overall, if we were to completely eliminate metaphors, I don't think it would make that much of a difference because there are plenty of other figurative language techniques (eg. idioms, similes, personification, and imagery), but they definitely make life a little more interesting, especially if their commonly used metaphors.
ReplyDeleteAndrea De Abreu
P.5
I think metaphors can sometimes make an idea clearer. When I hear a good metaphor, I actually imagine it happening and it helps me to compare it with the situation at hand. I don't use metaphors often. I only use them if they 'flow.' My parents use a lot of metaphors, and half the time I have to ask them what they mean by it! But I think they are great to know because they make conversations more interesting. Also, people can relate better. In my opinion, metaphors also make people seem more likeable and down-to-earth because they are taking concepts and simplifying it into a somewhat entertaining and easier idea. I think all of the types of figurative language are essential for speaking skills in general. People want to relate to what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteCourtney E. pd. 3
Did anyone read the article?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the central idea of the article?
Guys, the main idea of the article is that metaphors are EVERYWHERE. Those little everyday expressions that everyone uses are actually metaphors. What the article is trying to get across is that there are more metaphors than just the really plain, obvious kind that they teach us in school. (Eg. "My brother is a sloth." Active metaphors.) Basically, those little phrases that everyone uses are actually metaphors. (Eg. "I see what you mean." Extinct metaphors.)
ReplyDeleteThe meaning behind metaphors isn't really in the comparison between two objects. Instead, it is in the connotation that the phrase has acquired after being used many times by society. Many times, a metaphor will sound more like an idiom, such as the everyday expressions do. For example, saying "He was armed to the teeth," gives a better visual image than "He was heavily armed."
I noticed that I, like most people, use the metaphors that appear in everyday phrases and spatial references the most.
@Yuval
After reading the article, I've decided that I can't exactly prefer similes over metaphors or vice versa since they both have a way of sneaking into our everyday conversations. :)
Caterina Golner
Period 2
I mostly use metaphors in essays to enhance my writing. I also use it when I am explaining something. The world would probably be different without metaphors. If you think about it whenever we are explaining something to a friend or comparing two things, a metaphor always pops up. If we didn't use these comparisons, it would be very difficult to communicate with people. For example it would be hard to compare two things, explain something, gesture something to someone, understand spatial reference, and it would even be difficult to read headlines! Also, if you are ever talking to a Spanish person that just moved here, they always get confused with the language and our phrases. It's not that they don't understand what we're saying, it's that sometimes we are using metaphors and figurative language when they take it word for word. This is just another example of metaphors in action. I never would of thought of this if I didn't look at the article. After looking it over my whole point of view about metaphors has definitely shifted. Metaphors make facts and stories more interesting and they DEFINITELY make it so much easier to communicate whether it's in an essay, on the phone, or in person. This article has really opened my eyes to the other uses of metaphors aside from essays.
ReplyDeleteRachel Newman
pd3
I feel like the main idea of this article really shows how metaphors actually are used daily and hidden in common language, which we sometimes don't notice. I now see that I use metaphors a lot, such as "I see what you mean." or different variations of it, with the same concept. Without metaphors to describe or support ideas, the idea would seem very flat and two dimensional without the depth that a metaphor could add.
ReplyDeleteKalie M.
Period 2
Wow. I never knew that metaphors were used in everyday life. Like the article says, “We utter about one metaphor for every 10 to 25 words, or about six metaphors a minute.” That’s a lot of metaphors! Even gestures can be considered metaphors, for instance the ok sign. Even when we don’t know it, we are saying metaphors. I find this extremely interesting. Before reading this article, I thought that metaphors were just used by preachers or essays. Little did I know, that we use metaphors in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteAllison B.
Period 3
period 1 Nathalia B.
ReplyDeletewow! I never new that metaphors could be so useful. now that i think about it i use metaphors all the time without even knowing it. This blog is true, metaphors do help describe the world in so many different levels. Without metaphors everything in the world would just be as it is, we would have nothing to compare them too.How often do we use metaphors to describe things the jar that looks like a soda bottle etc. when the other person doesn't know what smething is, we use metaphors to describe them in a way they will understand. i nevernew that metaphors woulde so useful.
After reading the article it made me think about which one of those examples of metaphors I use the most. I never really thought of "crystal clear" as a metaphor. I didn't even know that gestures could be metaphors! I probably use metaphors more when I speak than when I write because it's easier to say than to try to fit into your ideas and writing. For instance, its easier to say "We're getting in over our heads," than to write it. I think that the world without metaphors would be the same. I mainly think this because we say these expressions not even knowing they are metaphors so we can obviously get around them. So, if metaphors weren't even taught in school we wouldn't use them in our conversations and writing which doesn't change the world. However, because we are taught about metaphors, they allow us to project our ideas in a different way. For example, in your writing, it adds voice, after plainly stating one thing after another you have to add a little something to your essay. So why not add "it's raining cats and dogs" for some voice and a little bit of imagery.
ReplyDelete-Marina Rubio
Period 6
@Rachel
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on the whole non-native English speaker who doesn't understand expressions thing. :) My aunt, who tried to learn English, does not like our little everyday expressions because she says she doesn't understand them. For example, "I'll call you back." In spanish, that's literally translated into, "Te llamare atras." (I'll call you backwards.) To any Spanish speaker, that makes absolutely no sense. Then again, all languages have their little phrases to make them special. :)
Of course I try to use metaphors my essays and other writing related activities but I still can't think of when I use metaphors in everyday conversations! I can understand how saying phrases like "I see what you mean" are metaphors but i can't remember a specific time when I used them. I believe that people speak in a different way than others. Many people may use metaphors in their conversations while other people are very literal and don't use too much figurative language in their conversations. I'm not saying I disagree with the article because I'm sure metaphors are used quite often but I don't think that people use six metaphors a minute. I don't believe that fact is true so it must mean it's not a fact.
ReplyDelete-Brett Bailey Per. 6
Metaphors are in almost everything we say. They can be found in pretty much every piece of dialogue whether someone is talking to his or her friend or to a teacher. That can't be denied. Like @Cat said, metaphors aren't only obvious comparisons, so they can be tied back to a lot of different things.
ReplyDeleteI don't think many people in today's society (mainly adults) even understand what a metaphor is. They don't realize what they are saying is a metaphor. We never really think about the context of what we say unless someone points it out.
I don't think that the article is trying to say that we use metaphors in absolutely EVERYTHING we say and do but most of it.
Gabi Shim-Francis P5
Okay, so here's the real question:
ReplyDeleteWhat is a metaphor? Anyone? Anyone? Can anyone tell me? (And I don't mean the lame "a comparison between two unlike things" definition.)
I don't use metaphors often because a simile is a lot easier to use but a metaphor kind of reminds me of an idiom. Both make no sense if you take them literally but both enhance written and oral language. I can't think of a time in my life when I used a metaphor in an oral conversation.
ReplyDeleteMax Brenner P.6
P.S Is this post foreshadowing the Shakespeare book we are going to read!
The only time I use metaphors is in school, mostly in essays, since I'm not used to speaking in metaphors and its not easy to change habits. Plus, it's because the people around me also don't use metaphors when speaking, and your speaking is usually influenced when hearing others speak. I don't think the world would change too much, since metaphors are pretty much just similes without the like or as and also like idioms, as Max said.
ReplyDeleteMaggie Meng P6
I often get confused with how to write a relevant and well-written metaphor when writing, because sometimes metaphors can sound a bit confusing. Yet, I try to add them to my essays to add a little extra voice. Therefore, I don't like to use them often.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, I think that the author clearly defines several specific types of ways to write metaphors. This deinitely inspired me to add more metaphors into my writings and daily life. Plus, it taught me that there are many varities of ways to write metaphors, and a lot of them don't have to be boring and deter the reader. There are metaphors that add a little more excitement into everyday situations.
Without the use of metaphors, the world would be kind of boring. As stated in the article, " The Everyday Expressions-- such as down in the dumps, or cool as a cucumber," I feel that some metaphors can be extremely funny, add something extra to everyone's daily life, and make it funnier and more entertaining than the average conversation.
Thanks for sharing the article!
~Meredith Sheldon
Period 3
Period 5, Camille D.
ReplyDeleteI personally use metaphors all the time in writing because I find it easier to use metaphors than any other figurative language. I also use it a lot in real life, which I didn't really realize until I read this article. The world would be dull and harder to explain without metaphors. It would be harder to communicate your feelings without metaphors. Metaphors are very important because they add voice to writing and speak to a reader's senses.
@Cat- WOW FOR ONCE WE AGREE :). I think it is difficult to answer your question. I mean there are so many different definitions for a metaphor. It is a comparison but that is so broad. However, different metaphors can have different definitions. Thus, I think that the only definition for EVERY metaphor is a comparison between two things.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Rachel said, there is a broad spectrum of metaphors. They are all very different and have different meanings. The only true definition for a metaphor is a comparison of some kind.
ReplyDeleteI believe that metaphors are extremely important because they are everywhere. Also, they allow people to describe the world around them. People often describe something by comparing it to an object with something in common. Thus, without metaphors, it would be near impossible to describe anything in this world.
Before I read the article, I thought metaphors were only figurative devices used in poems, essays, and other works of literature. However, after reading the article, I realized just how prominent metaphors are in communication. Almost every conversations has a metaphor. I realized that I constantly use metaphors unknowlingly in my conversations.
Thus, while many people believe metaphors are just poetic devices. They are much more than that. They are used everywhere in speech and communication.
I'll use metaphors about two times per essay. I think that over use of then makes your writing sound like a joke. In regular life I just use them to annoy my sister, who doesn't understand what they mean. One that I don't understand is, "I am bored." I don't know how that came to be, but when you think about it it does not matter. Just food for thought.
ReplyDeleteTyler Levinson Period 6
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMetaphors are definitely a party of our every day like and cannot be done without. Just as the article said we use them over 20 times per minute, when we are talking. I try to use them in an essay but they are hard to come up with on purpose mostly they come to me randomly, I guess it is the pressure. Without them our speech it bland and we need them.
ReplyDeleteI think we should have a no metaphor day and see if people can go an entire day with using a metaphor on every sentence.
Evan Harber p5
PS By the way the entire language of Sign Language is all metaphors.
I suppose I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said. I really need to start commenting earlier! I will say that I think we all use metaphors in everyday conversations, although many are unassuming. One example used in the article is "we're getting in over our heads." I don't know anyone who says that and then ponders their use of a metaphor. I think that is why many of my fellow classmates feel that they don't use metaphors often. It is something that comes naturally to us, and I don't see this as surprising. When we exaggerate, do we think of hyperboles? When you describe something, you almost always use imagery. I feel that we use figurative language because that is the way we speak. It is not really a conscious effort on our part, and I think that is the point of the article. Metaphors are not just things we use to upgrade our essays, they are ingrained as a part of the language that we speak.
ReplyDeleteLauren Goboff
Period 3
This is actually pretty interesting because as everyone has already previously stated, I don't really notice how many times we use metaphors. I use metaphors more though when I'm having a conversation with someone; I don't use metaphors in essays. Metaphors could be a nice addition to an essay, yet I never seem to use them. Although, using metaphors help sophisticate and give an extra oomph(or however you spell it :P) to a writing piece or everyday conversations so maybe I should should give metaphors a shot. Metaphors don't only have to be used as figurative language, they can be used in a plethora of other ways also.
ReplyDeleteVictoria Baram P.4
P.S. Andrea D, love the Lil'Wayne example ;D