Do Metaphors Annoy You?
Posted on March 13th, 2008. 12 Comments so far. You next?
There are certain parts of our respective languages we enjoy more than others. Personally I enjoy comparing things to provide a broader scope of understanding for the reader. This post poses a question to you (the reader), regarding my writing style. Should I tone down the comparisons?
In the past I would never have doubted my personal style on my personal blog, but in the end I don’t want to confuse anyone by mixing analogies trying to get my idea across. The act of comparing one thing to an everyday, simple thing will never stop for me, but I want to find the limit.
What Happens with no Restraint
In an article a couple days ago, I wrote what I thought was a great piece of work. Titled, “Simple Elements to Great Blog Design” the article as a whole was overlooked. A couple days later a new commenter, Matt, started the comments by saying this (it was a nice long comment, and I’m only looking for the one piece):
…although you mixed in a lot of metaphors in one post which was a bit annoying.
- Matt (March 8th, 2008)
To be fair, there over seven or eight different comparisons in that article, excluding winding adjectives.
Most of them really help to push my point across the border into the country that is your brain. Some of them were shots at humour, but still function as point-pushers. So, now as someone that reads or cares, should I tone down the metaphors?
I’m not saying I’ll change anything regarding the way I write, but I’ll reconsider letting about ten of them loose in one article next time.
12 comments
March 13th, 2008 at 9:09 AM
I like metaphors and analogies as long as they really help me to visualize what you’re talking about. I would use them ONLY if they serve this purpose, or perhaps occasionally for humor. I guess that doesn’t really answer your question… but I personally like them, just try to think of some of your readers who don’t and maybe tone them down just a little?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Whats a metaphor lol
March 13th, 2008 at 2:03 PM
The Wikipedia.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:57 PM
e.g.: “That woman is a whale” in relation to a fat woman
March 14th, 2008 at 3:49 AM
I’ve just read you post “Simple Elements To Great Blog Design”, and have to be honest, you do have lots of metaphores and similes. While I enjoy “word-painting” , you take it to the next level sometimes. It doesn’t bother me, don’t get me wrong, on the contrary, makes your style unique and funny. But sometimes, when I get home from work at 2 in the morning, I’m tired and start work on my blog instead of going to sleep, I go like: “French fries, dead horses, fast food, sidebars…in the same phrase?!? Wait a minute…Brain freeze!” Not your fault, just not able to focus that deep at late hours
Anywho, some might like it, some might not. I say it’s your style and stick to it!
March 14th, 2008 at 8:14 AM
so thats what a metaphor is lol. i use them alot but i never new it was a metaphor
thx.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:15 AM
I just had a look at your article and to my surprise i did not find it annoying. You have to write something fresh now and then and i think you did well.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Anca, maybe in the future I’ll adopt the tagline “not meant to be read in the wee hours of the morning”, but I can see your point clearly there.
I guess it’s good to know that the posts that are most enjoyable to write are still appreciated by some even if I’m dropping comparisons left and right.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:13 AM
What I like about your writing is your personal style, those comparisons, the attention to detail, and the long posts that clarify so much (even if sometimes they leave me more dazzled than before at wee hours of the morning)…
March 18th, 2008 at 11:14 PM
I think metaphors or comparisons are a good way of getting your point across.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:52 AM
interesting and nice post!
March 21st, 2008 at 3:05 AM
The purpose of communication is to relay messages. If one is gonna use too many and too hard metaphors, he is defeating the purpose of communication, and in turn, destroying the purpose of his blog.
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