Analogies possess a captivating power to unlock hidden truths and spark creativity. Using analogies as a technique to make something unfamiliar (like a complex scientific content) to seem more familiar, is invaluable in science communication. But often coming up with useful analogies can be trickier than finding a needle in a haystack. So how can we brainstorm analogies? Enter lateral chunking.
Lateral chunking is a cognitive technique that empowers us to process information by grouping related items together. It’s like piecing together a puzzle, illuminating connections and fostering insights. In the context of analogies, lateral chunking can help us identify and understand the underlying structure or pattern within the analogy. By chunking the analogy into its constituent parts and recognizing the relationships between those parts, we can effectively extract meaning and draw conclusions. Conversely, we can chunk a concept into its constituent parts, recognize the relationships between those parts, and effectively draw an image that is more readily digestible to our audience in the form of an analogy.
Here at three tips when trying to brainstorm analogies:
- Embrace Curiosity: Cultivate a curious mindset that seeks connections and patterns. Ask probing questions and explore the relationships between concepts.
- Chunk with Purpose: Break down information into meaningful chunks based on relationships, themes, or similarities. Create mental hooks that facilitate comprehension and retention.
- Emphasize Similarities: When brainstorming analogies, focus on identifying shared features and relationships between chunks. By highlighting similarities, you unveil the hidden gems within the concept that can lead to useful analogies
In brief, by harnessing the magic of lateral chunking, you hold the key to designing analogies and unlocking profound insights. Embrace curiosity, chunk information purposefully, and emphasize similarities. With practice, you’ll become an analogy mastermind.
Malaysian Science Communication Network 