Understanding and decoding analogies is a skill that is transferable to reading comprehension, critical thinking, and creativity. Analogies can be expressed in visual, symbolic, numerical, verbal, and inferential terms. Analogies help students develop the ability to make and appreciate connections between and among a variety of stimuli.

As students become more adept at using, creating, and deciphering analogies, the process of transferring and expressing the inherent nature of analogies becomes a “thinking game” for them. The game can be successfully played at almost any level of thinking. The use of analogy-based thinking can then be applied effectively to thinking about ideas and concepts in the array of facts, terms, and information presented throughout the various curricula students encounter at any grade in school.

This book is divided into five main sections based upon the type of relationship described by the analogies in it: Part to Whole / Whole to Part; Synonyms / Antonyms; Cause to Effect / Effect to Cause; Purpose, Use or Function; and Degree.

• Part to Whole / Whole to Part
The analogies in this section describe the relationship between a thing and a piece or building block of that thing and vice versa.

• Synonyms / Antonyms
The analogies in this section describe the relationship between a thing and something that is similar in meaning (Synonym) or a thing and something that is opposite in meaning (Antonym).

• Cause to Effect / Effect to Cause
The analogies in this section describe the relationship between an event or happening and a resulting change or outcome and vice versa.

• Purpose, Use or Function
The analogies in this section describe the relationship between an object or a concept and how it works or why it exists.

• Degree
The analogies in this section describe the relationship between an object or an idea and the increasing or decreasing value of that object or idea.

Download the Table of Contents page here.

The lessons and activities in this book align with the following Common Core State Standards*:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.4, 2.5, 2.6
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.4, 3.5, 3.6
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4, 4.5, 4.6

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade-level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Identify real-life connections between words and their use.
Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs.
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.
Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations.


*Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers
Title: Common Core State Standards English Language Arts
Publisher: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C.
Copyright Date: 2010