Why More Instructional Designers Should Harness the Power of Visual Metaphors

A metaphor is a powerful figure of speech. It strings together seemingly disparate ideas and/or objects to create novel associations that bring to life and simplify an abstract concept or a complex process. It creates a "shortcut to understanding." Metaphors grab eyeballs by creating novel (sometimes wacky) associations that tickle readers and keep themengaged. Metaphors can also trigger powerful emotions.

His business went bust. Vs. His business collapsed like a house of cards.

The field is full of yellow flowers. Vs. The field is a carpet of yellow blooms.

She felt hopeless. Vs. She was in a bottomless pit of despair.

The two sentences in each of the above sets convey the same idea, but the second sentence in each case paints a more vivid picture or evokes a stronger emotion. That's because the sentences use metaphors to emphasize an idea or to expand on the meaning.

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