You’ve likely heard of the phrase “The devil is in the details”. Because when you’re first learning about science, you’ll be exposed to detail after detail after detail across heavy topics like DNA replication, thermodynamics, plate tectonics, or quantum physics.
But often, the fine details don’t always stick around in our brains.
I was trained in biochemistry and while I scored top grades at the time, I certainly won’t be able to verbally regurgitate the components of every metabolic process and cell signalling pathway by heart. Instead, I’m able to recall and explain the analogies and metaphors my lecturers used to describe these concepts to me.
Metabolic processes are like a root system—often with many branching paths.
Some signalling pathways are cascades—with multiple steps and stages, like waterfalls.
These comparisons to everyday concepts equipped me a well-rounded understanding of a scientific topic, which set the foundations for me to appreciate the specific details that followed. After all, there’s no point in adding icing without first baking the cake (hey, this is a metaphor too!) 🍰
Analogies and metaphors are the underdogs of science communication, making the complex comprehensible and the tricky tangible. Let’s explore why these literary devices are indispensable for scientists who want their research to be understood and appreciated by everyone, not just fellow experts. 📝
Let’s lay down some definitions!
What is an “Analogy”?
An analogy is a descriptive comparison between two different things that highlight their similarities. Analogies are like a bridge that connects the unfamiliar with the familiar, helping to explain complex ideas in a more relatable way. Often, analogies are written as similes, which are a poetic device that apply the words “like” or “as” to make comparisons.
Examples:
“The many layers of Earth are like the layers of an avocado, from the crust to the core.”
“Flowing water serves as the lifeblood of our rivers, nourishing surrounding nature.”
What is a “Metaphor”?
A metaphor, on the other hand, is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true but helps explain an idea or make a strong, confident, and agreeable comparison. For instance, saying "time is a thief" suggests that time, like a thief, can steal moments from our lives. Often, the words “is” or “are” are used to denote a metaphor, but they can also be more creatively written.
Examples:
“Genes are the blueprint that make us what we are.”
The concept of a “Carbon footprint”
“The missing link between novel science and impactful research is good storytelling and communication.”
It’s important to note that metaphors can also be analogies, but only when they’re specifically used to try and explain something.
Here’s a comparison:
Plain metaphor: “The immune system is the tiny police force in your body”
Metaphorical analogy: “The immune system is the tiny police force in your body, where it works tirelessly day and night to fend off intruders like viruses and bacteria”
Why use them?
Simplifies complexity: Analogies and metaphors make abstract and complex scientific concepts easier to understand by relating them to everyday experiences.
Engages audiences: They capture the audience’s interest and make the content more relatable and memorable.
Fosters a concrete understanding: They help solidify abstract concepts by providing a familiar reference point.
We’ve previously written about some handy techniques for crafting your own analogies and metaphors, so make sure to check those out!
Historical examples of effective analogies and metaphors in science
Scientists across the ages have been using analogies and metaphors to share their findings with other scientists as well as the layman public. After all, when something is discovered for the first time, there is no other way to describe it without taking reference from the everyday world.
Here’s some big names and their even bigger discoveries from history:
Case Study 1: Isaac Newton’s Clockwork Universe
Newton described the universe as a giant clock, full of overlapping gears and intricate mechanics that were governed by the laws of physics. This analogy helped people understand the predictable and orderly nature of the universe, while also giving the our world a beautifully artistic and timeless description.
Case Study 2: Watson and Crick’s Twisted Ladder
James Watson and Francis Crick used the analogy of a twisted ladder to describe the structure of DNA and is one of the world’s most well-understood comparisons. This simple yet powerful image helped convey the double helix structure to both scientists and the general public, wherein the DNA double helix is now a universally recognised scientific symbol.
Case Study 3: Richard Feynman’s Rubber Band
Richard Feynman explained electromagnetic fields by comparing them to rubber bands, which helped illustrate the concept of force and elasticity in a way that was easy to grasp. Intangible sciences, particularly in the physical sciences like Chemistry and Physics, are among the most difficult for researchers to accurately describe. Feynman’s analogy works around this by comparing an unfamiliar concept not with how a familiar concept looks like (i.e. the rubber band), but how it moves and works (i.e. its ability to stretch).
The cognitive science behind analogies and metaphors
How the brain processes analogies and metaphors
Our brains are wired to recognise patterns and make connections between new information and existing knowledge. This is the very basis of Pattern recognition—a cross-disciplinary concept that’s described in human and animal psychology, neuroscience, and adapted into the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
By comparing the new with the old, the brain is able to reinforce its understanding of any concept.
Practical applications in modern science communication
So how do analogies and metaphors enhance your science communication skills in the real world? From papers to presentations, here’s a handful of suitable situations:
Written analogies
When you’re writing scientific literature for experts, or even a media release for a more lay audience, you definitely can use analogies to explain concepts from science. Writing is the most versatile way to create and share analogies—you only need to know how to craft one!
Visual analogies
Infographics in your papers or PowerPoint slides can be communicated as an analogy to simplify complex information. For example, a flowchart depicting your future research goals could be drawn as a river system, with branching paths and highlighting predictable hurdles. You can design these useful graphics in software like Adobe Illustrator, which we teach in our online course.
Verbal metaphors in public speaking
Incorporating metaphors into your script or ad-lib speech can make them more engaging and memorable for the audience. For instance, describing neurons as "the brain’s electrical wiring" can help an audience visualise how they work. Essentially, you’re painting a picture in their minds with just the power of your voice!
Challenges and pitfalls
That being said, are analogies and metaphors truly the be-all and end-all of how you can best communicate science? While they’re certainly useful, there are still instances where these literary techniques may not be the best options for these reasons:
Over-simplification
Analogies can oversimplify complex concepts, resulting in omitting crucial details. For instance, while you can describe electron orbitals as “particles”, it doesn’t take into consideration the research that describes them as “waves”. However, this is usually only a risk if your target audience will benefit from knowing precise details (i.e. experts or students). You can often mitigate this risk by explaining your analogy clearly in your writing or speech, and acknowledging where it doesn’t quite fit. When in doubt, ask a colleague or friend if the analogy makes sense to them in context.
Misinterpretation and inaccuracies
If taken too literally, analogies could lead to misunderstandings. It’s essential to clarify the limits of the analogy. For instance, saying that “arteries are like plumbing” implies that they’re rigid structures that can flow two ways, but in reality arteries are more like “hoses” with some degree of elasticity and unidirectional flow. It’s important to carefully select what analogy or metaphor aligns with your scientific concept to minimise misinterpretation.
Cultural sensitivity
Analogies must be relatable to the target audience, and this can differ depending on who you’re speaking to, their experiences, and where they’re from. Cultural references should therefore be chosen carefully to either (1) cater for a very specific target audience, or (2) is broad enough to be understood by everyone.
For instance, to an Australian audience you could say that “an ecosystem is like an AFL team, with many co-dependent or symbiotic teammates working together in Forward, Midfield, and Defence”.
Though for those who aren’t from the country (or for people without an inkling of sports knowledge a.k.a. Me 🙋🏻), this would be harder to understand. Instead, describing the ecosystem “as a sports team, where the players usually work together” would be understood by more people. 🏈
Strategies for crafting effective analogies and metaphors
Keep it simple
Use clear and straightforward comparisons. The goal is to make complex ideas more accessible, and not to create additional confusion. Take this comparison:
Simple: A cell is like a factory ✅
People will generally understand that factories and cells are made of many different parts, with people/organelles operating many different roles.
A bit too complicated: A cell is like an intergalactic spaceship 🤔
While a spaceship has many different rooms and a crew operating many pieces of machinery, it’s not as clear-cut of an analogy as people have different perceptions of what a spaceship looks like.
And of course, test and refine!
Get feedback on your analogies to ensure they are clear and effective. To get a good breadth of opinions about your analogy, I highly recommend checking with a broad range of people: field experts, your friends, and probably grandma too! 👵🏻
Adjust your analogy based on their feedback to enhance its clarity and impact.
Takeaway messages
Analogies and metaphors help your audience understand your research by making it more familiar. 💡
Use good metaphors or similes as a base for your analogies. 📝
Break down your analogies into smaller parts to explain them in technical detail. ⚙️
Find the right balance between scientific accuracy and ease of understanding. 📊
Use them in your research and daily life, wherever and whenever you can! 💫
Looking to communicate your research story using your own analogy?
Here at Animate Your Science, we love translating your research ideas into meaningful stories through our explainer video and video abstract services. Because with just the right analogy, anyone can understand and appreciate the incredible work that you do.
Now that’s real impact.
You can watch two of our more recent animations below to get a feel for how your analogy or metaphor could be brought onto the big screen!
SARS-CoV-2 is a notorious pirate of the seven seas! (Whiteboard animation)
The banking world is like a complex hurdle race! (Motion graphics animation)
If you’re interested in creating a similar video for your research, get in touch with us and let’s bring your ideas to life!
