Metaphors and Metonymy Reading

• What is metaphor? Give example from the reading.

A metaphor is "a descriptive word or phrase is transferred to an object or action different from, but analogous to, that to which it is literally applicable". We use metaphors all the time when talking without even realizing it. My son who just broke his leg also has a concussion. I told the doctor that he was experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. He would cry one minute and screaming the next. My husband and I were completely heartbroken; of course a heart cannot literally break. I feel that metaphors give the reader or listener a deeper understanding of a message one is trying to convey. One example from the reading was the leech. The readings stated that this was a way to describe someone who borrowed money. The leech is a blood sucking animal which the blood signifies money. 

• What is metonymy? give example from the reading.

A metonymy is "a word or phrase denoting an object, action, institution" that is functionally replaced with "a word or phrase denoting one of its properties or something associated with it". Metonymy's are used to give a deeper meaning to common objects or things. The Nike symbol from the readings was an example of a metonymy. I was not completely sure of the actual term "metonymy" but use many phrases daily. A toddler understands metonymy's due to the McDonald's arch. Children learn very quickly what the 'golden arches' stand for.

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

I do not feel as though I used enough metaphors or metonymys in my presentation. On my slide with a picture of my son on the racetrack, I have the words 'new home' which one could take as though he 'lived' his day on the track or that he moved to a racetrack. My collage of my son's broken femur signified the danger and pain that can be a part of a racer's reality. I could have left the map image without words and one knows that this is a route. 

• Review 3 of your peers presentation of information and  identify a good example of Metonymy and Metaphor. Take a screen shot of the example upload it to your blog and explain why it is a good example. 

1. This is a metonymy from Jaime's presentation on STEM education. The shield represents science, technology, engineering, and math without words. 

2. In Ashley Phillips presentation of Lady Gaga, there is a slide that says "Voted World's Most Powerful Women 10-13". This picture is of Lady Gaga holding diamonds and jewels which one associates wealth and power. The way the light is around the picture, it almost looks as if she is being shown as an angel. 

3.  In Jared's presentation of "Play" his slide states that without play children can be unprepared for school and prone to violence. The metaphor shown is children dressed as soldiers. I also thought of the soldier image as rigid and conformed before the words came across the screen. 

WORKS CITED:

• Oxford English Dictionary Online (http://oed.com)
• Lodge, David The Modes of Modern Writing: Metaphor, Metonymy and the Typology of Modern Literature (London: Arnold 1998).
• Ford, J. (2014, June 1). Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Educate to Innovate.Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Educate to Innovate. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from http://biologyitgrowsonyou.blogspot.com/
• Phillips, A. (2014, June 2). Tales of an Elementary Teacher. : Multimodal Imformation Presentation. Retrieved June 6, 2014, from http://ashleyphillips2504.blogspot.com/2014/06/multimodal-imformation-presentation.html
• Martin Brown, J. S. (2014, June 2). Reinventing the Wing. Reinventing the Wing. Retrieved June 5, 2014, from http://reinventingthewing.blogspot.com/