Week #3 Assignment #4

June 6, 2014

What is metaphor? Give example from the reading.

A metaphor is a descriptive word or phrase that’s meaning can be transferred to another object or action.  In contrast of a simile, the use of a metaphor assimilates two things without the use of “as” or “like”.  An example from the reading was the connection between the leech and your friend who always needs money.  There is no real connection but the understood connection by referring to what the leech does as it sucks blood from its host. In the same way, a friend who always borrows money from you helps you make the connection between the two very different things.

What is a metonymy? Give an example from the reading.

Metonymy is a word or phrase denoting an object, an action, or institution that is functionally replaced with a word or phrase denoting its properties or making an association with it.  An example of metonym found in the reading is the shapes (triangle or rectangle) associated with men and women’s restroom facilities.  There is a relevance to the geometric shape and the shape of the male and female body as well as the rooms behind the signs that contain the toilets and sinks for the appropriate gender to use.

How did you apply the concepts of metaphor or metonymy? How well did you apply them? Give an example from your presentation of information.

In my multimodal text presentation I used a metonymy when I developed the idea that scrapbooking was “cheaper than therapy”. In other words I associated scrapbooking with a way to vent and relax and unwind from life’s every day stresses just as people do that see a therapist.  I see scrapbooking as an outlet to express my creative side and develop lasting relationships with friends that enjoy the hobby just as I do.  I don’t believe I used a metaphor in my presentation.

 Peer Examples of Metaphor and Metonymy

When reviewing my peers’ presentation I noted the use of metaphors and metonymy.

This image of the Stiletto high heels is a great example of a metaphor.  Stiletto heels are considered "jewelry" for the feet which evokes the image in your mind as to who stiletto heels will adorn your feet just as jewelry does your wrist, neck or hand.

This slide with the names and images of the chess pieces makes an association with the shape of each piece to its name. For example a Queen and King piece have crowns to represent them as royalty. The Knight piece is represented by a horse because knight often were seen riding their horses.  These and other examples of metonymy are used to make associations or representations of another object.