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.

All classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Time.

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.