Metaphors are the most overlooked presentation technique. They, together with other figures of speech, such as similes, analogies, personification, and alliteration, improve the readability, scalability, and eloquence of your work. Metaphors are also useful for reducing difficult topics into more digestible sentences.
In this article, we’ll explain to you how to use metaphors effectively in your presentations and speeches. Let’s get started!
What is a Metaphor?
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two objects, persons, ideas, etc., are compared by expressing that one is the other. Of course, the two are not identical, and the comparison serves to emphasize, symbolize, or add humor/color to an author’s writing.
Why Should You Use Metaphors in Your Presentations?
Presentations, especially ones with a lot of information, statistics, and possibly even difficult topics, can turn off an audience. They may experience overload, uncertainty, and, most likely, simple boredom.
Metaphors can help you deal with everything mentioned above in the following ways:
- Enables Your Audience to Visualize something intangible in a tangible manner
What exactly does the term “reliable” imply, for example? Synonyms such as ‘trustworthy’ can be used, but they are also intangible. As Traveler’s umbrella, Allstate’s hands, and Prudential’s rock, insurance companies show dependability.
Many businesses sell their goods using what is known as “deep metaphors.” Deep metaphors are more complicated and long metaphors that are based on something intangible like calm, relaxation, or even ecstasy and liberty.
Harley-Davidson is a perfect example, as Zaltman points out in his book. Riding a Harley is a metaphor for those intangibles, and they create fantastic imagery that individuals can access in their thoughts.
Organic food producers often utilize metaphors in their marketing. As a result, manufactured meals with a lot of additives pollute the body. Organic foods, on the other hand, are bodily cleansers.
- Metaphors Are Relatable
People have numerous problems in common to which they can all relate: procrastination, lack of concentration, insufficient time to complete all tasks, lack of sleep, accidents, and so on. Each of these might serve as the basis for metaphorical comparisons.
‘Lack of concentration is like a crowded closet,’ for example. That messy closet is disorderly, with belongings thrown around in random order, making it difficult to identify crucial objects.
‘Procrastination is a time thief.’ Time metaphors are, in fact, among the most prevalent metaphors used in speeches and presentations on a wide range of themes.
- Metaphors are Persuasive
Politicians sometimes use metaphors to give a compelling context for their ideas and to persuade listeners to “buy-in” to their views, viewpoints, and initiatives.
In both his talks and writings, Martin Luther King was a master of metaphor. And such analogies added to the authenticity of his compositions.
- They can Make your Presentation Speech Extraordinary
Instead of just saying, ‘Our new software is a terrific sales tool,’ you can underline your point and provide context by adding, ‘Our new sales software is a rocket ship that will take your firm to the stratosphere of productivity.’
Leverage metaphors effectively by employing free PowerPoint templates and Google Slides templates by SlideUpLift to smoothen the presentation creation process.
Tips to Use Metaphors in Your Presentations Successfully
Effective metaphors should simplify the subject rather than leave the audience wondering what you were attempting to communicate. As a result, coming up with outstanding metaphors requires some experience and creative thinking. Here are a few basic suggestions to get you started.
- Consider Using a Metaphoric Theme
Instead of coming up with a slew of analogies, concentrate on one. This will help you keep your attention and minimize misunderstanding.
For example, if you mention your program has ‘Zeus-like abilities,’ stick with the Greek mythology theme throughout your presentation.
You can go on to say that dealing with certain industrial challenges is like facing Medusa and that occasionally an Ariadne thread is required to discover the proper answer and escape the labyrinth.
This themed metaphor method is also known as ‘extended metaphor.’
Don’t limit yourself when it comes to presentation themes; check out the exclusive collection of PowerPoint themes and Google Slides themes here!
- Always Use Metaphors In Relevant Places
It may be tempting to think of genuinely unique analogies. But don’t hurry into it. After all, analogies that are relevant and familiar to the audience will be more easily understood. Otherwise, they will be disengaged since they will not completely understand the topic you are promoting.
- Spice up The Boring Data With Metaphors
Audiences may hear the statistic $1 trillion but practically dismiss it since it is difficult for them to envision in their thoughts. So, how about we use time as a metaphor?
‘One dollar equals one second of time. In seconds, one trillion dollars equals 32,000 years. Our national debt exceeds $23 trillion, or 23 times 32,000. Who can tell me how many years that is?’
- Set an Interesting Scene By Adding a Metaphor to the Opening Slide
When you employ a strong, engaging metaphor for your first slide in a presentation, you will immediately capture the audience’s attention. If you can stimulate your audience’s curiosity and attention right away, they will be a lot more ready to listen in.
- Don’t Forget to Use Metaphors While Closing Your Presentation
If you started with the metaphor ‘Turn Your Work Into a Box of Chocolates,’ and you’ve utilized that expanded metaphor throughout your presentation, it should continue over to your conclusion.
If you’ve related each sort of candy in that box to a type of work (hard nut, creamy centers, medium-soft caramels, etc.), discuss how they could be prioritized or modified to maximize efficiency.
Metaphors for strength, metaphors for transformation, metaphors for productivity, or metaphors for cooperation might all be used in your presentation. The basic aim is to employ metaphors wherever possible to make things more relevant or interesting. Just don’t go overboard.
A metaphor-heavy presentation will also turn off your listeners. Also, avoid using muddled metaphors. People cannot be eagles flying through the sky and flowers blooming at the same time – this is just confusing.
Wrapping It Up
The use of figurative language has withstood the test of time. Authors, prominent thinkers, inventors, scientists, politicians, singers, TV personalities, and, yes, much less famous individuals who write and deliver speeches utilize it.
Metaphors are popular because they can give vivid, meaningful, and one-of-a-kind comparisons of two very different objects. Consider using them in your next speech or presentation; you can be surprised at how well they go over with your audience.
