What is the most decisive question in identifying taʿrīḍ?

Taʿrīḍ, Talwīḥ, Ramz, Īmāʾ and Ishārah; the Rhetorical Force of Figurative Speech

• Is a particle of simile present?
• Does the overt direction of speech differ from its indirectly intended target?
• How many links lead to an intended attribute?
• Is the word a simple noun?