A metaphor compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as”. A simile compares two unlike things with using “like” or “as”. An analogy is a comparison of something unfamiliar to something more familiar to explain or clarify a concept.
For example: Metaphor: You are a diamond,
Simile: You sparkle like a diamond,
Analogy: Your resilience shines like a diamond’s brilliance.
Identifying these three literary devices or figures of speech can be a little bit difficult sometimes. For example, when it comes to simile versus metaphor, a simile is actually a subcategory of metaphor, which means all similes are metaphors, but not all metaphors are similes. These figurative language devices are used in literature and other literary works for imagination and expression.
Knowing the differences and similarities can help to identify and make your use of figurative language stronger.
What is Metaphor?
Metaphor is a figurative expression or figure of speech for an imaginative effect that compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as”. Like one thing is another thing.
I’ll illustrate with an example: You are the sunshine in my life.
Just as the sun provides light and warmth to the world, you bring brightness and warmth into my life.
What is simile?
Simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as”. It must use like or as otherwise it’s all like a metaphor. It is also known as a subcategory of metaphor because of little difference.
For example : You shine like a star in my universe.
Similar to how a star stands out brightly in the night sky, you stand out brilliantly in my life.
What is Analogy?
An analogy is a comparison between two things that are alike in some way. It explains something unfamiliar by comparing it to something more familiar. That’s the reason the distinguishing analogy from metaphor and simile is difficult.
For Example : You are to me what the moon is to the night.
Just as the moon illuminates the darkness of the night, you bring light and guidance into my life.
What is the difference between metaphor vs simile vs analogy?
Here are 4 differences that will help you differentiate between similes, metaphors, and analogies.
| Metaphor | Simile | Analogy |
| Not use “like” or “as” | Use “like” or “as” | Sometimes use “like” or “as” and sometimes not but Make more descriptive points. |
| Not use another literary device | Not use another literary device | You can use metaphor and simile within |
| Making Imaginary | Making Imaginary | Helps to clarify ideas |
| Literary, everyday | Literary, casual | Educational, explanatory |
What are easy examples from literature of metaphor and simile and analogy?
Metaphor example from (“William Shakespeare, As You Like It”) :
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.
Shakespeare compares the world to a stage and people to actors, highlighting the performative nature of life.
Simile example from (“Elizabeth Bishop, The Fish”)
The sun was like a large ball of butter.
Bishop compares the sun’s appearance to a ball of butter, emphasizing its color and texture.
Analogy example from (“Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter”)
Just as a caterpillar comes out of its cocoon, so we must come out of our comfort zone.
Angelou uses the analogy of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly to encourage personal growth and change.
How do you describe metaphor, simile and analogy through venn diagram?
What are the similarities between metaphor vs simile vs analogy?
Metaphor,simile and analogy are all types of figurative language. Here are 4 similarities:
| Metaphor | Simile | Analogy |
| compare two dissimilar things. | compare two things, often | compare two different things |
| form of figurative language | form of figurative language | form of figurative language |
| create imaginary | create imaginary | create imaginary |
| Communication Tool | Communication Tool | Communication Tool |