Analogies: Understanding Comparisons

Study Notes

What is an Analogy?

An analogy is a comparison between two items based on a similar characteristic or feature
Analogies can be helpful when learning new vocabulary by relating new words to familiar ones

Completing Analogies

Analogies are presented in pairs with a similar relationship between words
To complete an analogy, identify the relationship between the words in the first pair and apply it to the second pair
Examples of completed analogies:
- _____ is to eyes as listen is to ears → look is to eyes as listen is to ears
- Up is to down as out is to _____ → up is to down as out is to in
- Exhausted is to tired as ancient is to _____ → exhausted is to tired as ancient is to old
- Plane is to fly as _____ is to drive → plane is to fly as car is to drive

Using Analogies to Understand New Words

Analogies help understand new words by relating them to familiar words
Analogies provide context or usage of a word, not a complete definition
Example: Component is to machine as link is to chain → component is a small part of a machine

Analogies in Literature

Analogies in literature and poetry are often less direct and use parallel comparisons to emphasize a point
Examples of analogies in literature:
- Like bees around a bouquet of flowers, the students swarmed to the new playground equipment
- Like the clamor of a stampede of cattle, the sound of the crowded lunchroom echoed down the hallway

Description

Learn about analogies which involve comparing two items based on similar characteristics. Practice with simple analogies presented in pairs, and identify the relationship between the words. Improve vocabulary and critical thinking skills through analogical reasoning.