Using Analogy

Worksheet Description

This worksheet presents the concept of anthropomorphic analogies, a literary device where students are invited to give human attributes to inanimate objects, natural phenomena, or animals. The exercise centers on the use of anthropomorphism to craft analogies that make the behavior or characteristics of non-human subjects relatable to human experiences. An instructive example demonstrates how back pain can be analogized as an unwelcome visitor, conveying its discomfort and intrusiveness in a human context.

In the second part, students are prompted to flex their creative muscles by constructing sentences that use anthropomorphic analogies for a set of given prompts. These prompts range from abstract concepts, like a challenging problem, to everyday items and experiences, like an uncomfortable bed or a meal causing indigestion. By personifying these subjects, students deepen their understanding of how anthropomorphism can enrich language, providing vividness and emotional depth to writing. The task encourages them to think critically about how non-human elements can be portrayed through the lens of human behavior, thereby enhancing their analytical and imaginative writing skills.