An analogy is a literary device that creates a relationship based on parallels or connections between two ideas. By establishing this relationship, the new idea is introduced through a familiar comparison, thus making the new concept easier to grasp. This is done in an effort to create similarities between the two subjects in order to give the reader an image and a point of comparison.
Simple analogies compare two things using a common framework. For example, 'Horse is to foal as dog is to puppy.' We understand that both ideas are comparing baby animals. Look at the following picture to see another example of a simple analogy:
Socks are to feet as gloves are to hands.
Complex analogies make a more implicit comparison that helps the reader familiarize and visualize the relationship between the two things. For example, 'She was as cold as ice,' indicates that the girl was mean. Even though ice is not mean, the sentence evokes a feeling for the reader that she was very mean by comparing her to ice.
Modified from: www.education-portal.com
Simple analogies compare two things using a common framework. For example, 'Horse is to foal as dog is to puppy.' We understand that both ideas are comparing baby animals. Look at the following picture to see another example of a simple analogy:
Socks are to feet as gloves are to hands.
Complex analogies make a more implicit comparison that helps the reader familiarize and visualize the relationship between the two things. For example, 'She was as cold as ice,' indicates that the girl was mean. Even though ice is not mean, the sentence evokes a feeling for the reader that she was very mean by comparing her to ice.
Modified from: www.education-portal.com