Metaphorically Speaking

Abstract

In a previous installment of this series (Vol. 26, No. 4), I urged writers and editors to consider whether each of the subject-verb and subject-verb-object relationships expressed in their sentences is literally true. In medical writing, we deal mainly with facts. Thus, most of what we write should be literally true. However, it is sometimes acceptable and even necessary for medical writers to use figurative language, such as metaphors and metonyms, that don’t express literal truth. Scientists use metaphor and analogy to make sense of the world and to express their ideas to others. For this reason, scientists often use metaphors in their writing.