Class

Unlocking the Mystery of Metaphors

Metaphors are the kidney stones of writing. No, that’s not quite right. Metaphors are the acid rain of writing. Yuck. Metaphors are... well, they're hard. Metaphors are the bane of many writers. Yet so much can be accomplished with one. Orson Scott Card wrote, “Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.”

In this class, we’ll delve into creating metaphors to enliven your writing. We’ll discuss what a metaphor is, the purpose it serves, the different types of metaphors, and avoiding cliché. We’ll read examples of metaphors from a wide range of genres and media, analyzing why they do—or don’t—work. We’ll use in-class exercises to create metaphors of our own, in different styles and tones. Writers will have the option of sharing their work and asking for feedback, but it is not required. By the end of the class, students will have a better understanding of how to interpret metaphors as they read and how to invent the best metaphors for their own writing.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.