A writing insight

[maradydd]

Before using a simile in persuasive writing, think of a story about only the object of the simile, such that the narrative makes the subject of the simile self-evident. Like a fable.

Truth is stranger than fiction because fiction has to make sense.

Comments

[q_pheevr]

...and truth is also stranger than non-fiction, for the same reason.

[maradydd]

Right; I find, though, that trying to recast the point I'm trying to make through a fictional narrative is a useful intuition guide for whether the simile is going to work in a nonfictional framing.