1. First, choose a subject that concerns you: Some issue in your career field, from personal experience, or of national concern politics, war, economy, history, education This will be your “Subject X” 2. Then determine what point you want to make about it: What is the purpose of my analogy? What do I want/have to say about my subject (Subject X)? What is my argument? EXAMPLES Abolishing the Patriot Act Condemning the Iraq War Preventing Teen Smoking 3. Then list the most significant traits about Subject X: Negative traits if you’re against it Positive traits if you’re for it that which makes it bad or good those traits that illustrate your overall point Invasion of privacy Invasion of a sovereign state Invasion of a foreign substance If we were to stop here ＝ Example Essay 4. At this point, you want to find a “Subject Y” Another subject that shares those traits A subject that will help you make the overall point against/for Subject X *Look for this subject outside the class or category to which Subject X belongs To use items from the same class ＝ Comparison Essay At this point, you want to find a “Subject Y” What other act or belief shares these (positive/negative) traits? not ALL of those traits listed but some SIGNIFICANT ones (5+) What else “is like” Subject X? At this point, you want to find a “Subject Y” Keep an eye on your Purpose: What is the significance of the link between these 2 subjects? Why are you bothering to discuss the resemblances between these 2 subjects? Is easily recognizable by most people Has a consensus formed about it (most agree) Has had some decision/action made on it (law, ban) Outside the class or category to which Subject X belongs To use items from the same class ＝ Comparison Shares at least 4+ resemblances with Subject X Certainly, Subjects X&Y should have more similarities than differences EXAMPLE Suppose your Subject X were some frustrating situation And the argument behind the analogy (your purpose, thesis, claim) were to argue against it You would then list this frustrating situation’s negative traits Why is it frustrating? Why should it be stopped? Then find another activity just as negative or frustrating: NOT: the Iraq War is like the Vietnam War BUT: the Iraq War is like a bad vacation EXAMPLE Subject X: fast food Argument: against it should be reduced too much EXAMPLE List of (-) traits: fast, rushed, poor quality, empty calories, bad effect on the body, body outside (pimples, fat), body inside (cholesterol, fat), made in unsanitary conditions, made by people who don’t care about their work (in it for the paycheck, don’t care about customers) in large doses (overindulgence) ＝ dangerous serves a basic human need, serves it quickly, serves it relatively cheaply/inexpensively, but at a higher cost down the road (long-term effects) Possible Subjects Y: Internet, porn, prostitution, poison Title: Fast Food Is like Prostitution Analogy Statement: Fast food is like prostitution in terms of its effects on the body, its initial price, its long-term costs, and its effects on society.
