Definition
What is analogy?
A comparison between two things to show their similarities.
An analogy maps relationships between two pairs of things (A is to B as C is to D) to make a new or abstract idea understandable. Unlike a quick simile/metaphor for style, analogies are explanatory: they transfer understanding from a known domain to an unknown one. Great analogies illuminate; weak ones mislead or oversimplify.
On the page
Analogy examples
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.”
“That's as useful as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”
Famous examples in literature
The Republic
Plato
The Allegory of the Cave is an extended analogy mapping shadows to appearances and sunlight to truth.
Cosmos
Carl Sagan
Science writing relies on analogies—e.g., DNA as a blueprint; they’re imperfect but clarifying.
Science & Poetry
Richard Feynman
Feynman used analogies constantly, like comparing atoms to planets to give scale and motion.
For writers
How writers use analogy
- Pick a source domain your audience knows well
- Map relationships, not just attributes: A is to B as C is to D
- Acknowledge limits—no analogy is perfect
- Avoid clichés; choose vivid, relevant comparisons
Why it matters
- Clarifies complex or abstract ideas by mapping them to familiar ones
- Persuades by showing structural similarity
- Helps worldbuilding and teaching inside the story
- Reveals how a character thinks (the analogies they choose)
Across different genres
FTL likened to folding paper so two points touch—instantly shows the idea
Magic compared to electricity: conducted, stored, and dangerous when uncontrolled
Love as gravity: an inescapable pull that strengthens up close
The internet as a city—neighborhoods, alleys, crowded squares, bad districts
Common pitfalls
- Bad fit: a misleading analogy confuses more than clarifies
- Overextension: stretching the comparison past where it holds
- Cliché: 'life is a box of chocolates' adds nothing new
- Cultural mismatch: analogies your audience doesn’t share fall flat
Try it in your own writing
- Sci-Fi: Explain quantum entanglement with an everyday analogy that isn’t spooky-action handwaving
- Fantasy: Create a magic-system analogy that makes its rules instantly clear
- Essay: Write a persuasive analogy for changing careers in midlife
Quick answers
Analogy FAQ
What is analogy?
A comparison between two things to show their similarities. An analogy maps relationships between two pairs of things (A is to B as C is to D) to make a new or abstract idea understandable. Unlike a quick simile/metaphor for style, analogies are explanatory: they transfer understanding from a known domain to an unknown one. Great analogies illuminate; weak ones mislead or oversimplify.
What are some examples of analogy?
The examples on this page include Forrest Gump and Common Expression. Each one shows how the device works in context.
How can writers use analogy effectively?
Pick a source domain your audience knows well Map relationships, not just attributes: A is to B as C is to D Acknowledge limits—no analogy is perfect