Analogies

Reasoning and critical thinking are some of the most crucial aspects of innovative learning. The analogous relationship is one such tool that is effective for developing critical thinking. This study has critically discussed the definition and various types of analogy. This study has effectively discussed the use of analogy in learning outcomes. It has also provided some frequently asked questions regarding analogy. 

Analogy

Analogy refers to the comparison of two things and it executes this action by conducting a similarity between them. The analogy is to establish a relationship between two components by expressing their contradictions and similarities. An analogy can be expressed in two types and these are; linguistic analogy and logical analogy. 

Linguistic analogy- This is a type of analogy, that deals with the representation of phrases, lines and words in a pattern or sequence. This type of analogy is also used for establishing relationships between two types of action. As an example, a nail cutter has an analogy with a nail because a nail cutter is used for cutting the nail. 

Logical analogy- This is another crucial type of analogy, which is mainly used for testing the reasoning ability of an individual. This type of analogy is used to establish a relationship between two different things. As an example, “All tigers are cats but all cats are not tigers” is a logical analogy because it is establishing logical reasoning between the tiger and cat. 

Types of analogy

The analogy is a very crucial tool that acts to establish a relationship between two different components. There are several types of analogies and some crucial types are as follows; 

• Cause to effect- This is one of the most important types of analogy, which is mainly used to establish a relation between a cause and effect. This analogy can be very effective for understanding the relationship between two components

For example- A dark cloud causes heavy rainfall and viruses cause diseases. Therefore, this analogy can be presented as a dark cloud: heavy rain:: virus: disease. 

• Part to the whole- This is another type of analogy, which establishes a relationship between the main part and its components. This type of analogy is very useful for representing branches of any parent component

For example- The eyes are part of the human body and the Amazon is situated in Brazil. Therefore the analogy can be presented as eyes: the human body:: Amazon: Brazil. 

• Object to purpose- This type of analogy is very similar to cause to effect analogy. This analogy establishes a relation between the object and the purpose of that object

For example- A cricket bat is for playing cricket and a joystick is for playing video games. Therefore, the analogy is cricket bat: cricket:: joystick: a video game. 

• Characteristics- This type of analogy is used for establishing the relationship between a subject and its natural characteristics

For example- Snakes are reptiles and birds are amphibians and the analogy is written as snakes: reptiles:: birds: amphibians. 

• Sequence- This type of analogy is mainly used for representing the sequence of two elements. This type of analogy is very useful for understanding the chronology of two elements

For example- In English alphabets, B comes after A and in numbers 1 comes after 2. Therefore the analogy is A: B:: 1: 2. 

• Synonyms and antonyms- This type of analogy is used for establishing relationships between two words, which are synonyms or antonyms to each other

For example- Day is opposite tonight and straight is opposite to bend. Therefore the antonym analogy is day: night:: straight: bend. 

Altitude is the synonym of height and gradient is the synonym of slope and the synonym analogy is altitude: height:: gradient: slope.

Use of analogy

The analogy is a very useful tool for establishing the relationship between two specific objects such as a book and a reader. The analogy is mainly used to express the relationship in such a manner that a reader can easily understand that. An analogy is very useful for linking educational topics with familiar ideas and it is very effective for memorizing things easily. It is very effective for the students to develop their reasoning ability and critical thinking skills. 

Improving Analogy solving

An analogy has its effectiveness for improving the critical thinking of students and several steps can be used for improving analogy solving skills. These are as follows; 

• Determining the relationship between the objects of the first pair can be very helpful to understand the entire analogy quickly
• Conversion of given analogies into sentence form can be very helpful for solving them quickly
• Identifying the pair of objects which is contradictory to all the other pairs of a given analogy can allow quick solving

Critical assessment of the probable relationships of two pair elements can allow us to understand and solve the analogy quickly

Conclusion

This study has given a brief discussion regarding analogy and its effectiveness in learning. This study has given a brief definition and elaboration of analogy and it has also presented some key examples. There are several types of analogy, which have been critically discussed in this entire study. These various types of analogy can be very helpful to understand the various types of relationship parameters used for establishing analogy. This study has also given a brief discussion of ineffective use of analogy. An analogy is such a tool that is very effective for developing critical thinking and reasoning ability.