LessonsPurposes, Classifications, and Rhetorical Degrees of SimileQuiz

When a claim about the subject appears impossible or remote, a comparable case can make the claim intelligible. This is the purpose of showing possibility.

If a young person attains an unexpectedly high rank, another unusual but possible case may answer the objection. The comparison need not establish equality in every respect; it shows that the proposed situation need not be impossible.

This differs from confirming a quality already admitted: the primary question here is “Can such a thing occur?”

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Showing that a surprising claim is possible

Purposes, Classifications, and Rhetorical Degrees of Simile

When a claim about the subject appears impossible or remote, a comparable case can make the claim intelligible. This is the purpose of showing possibility.

If a young person attains an unexpectedly high rank, another unusual but possible case may answer the objection. The comparison need not establish equality in every respect; it shows that the proposed situation need not be impossible.

This differs from confirming a quality already admitted: the primary question here is “Can such a thing occur?”