Metaphor, analogy and simile are all ways to compare things, but they have slight differences between them. An analogy compares two things for the purpose of explaining an idea. These objects or thoughts being compared don’t have to be similar, but when the two are compared it can serve as evidence for an idea or belief. A metaphor compares one thing to another to show that in some way they are similar and a simile has that same purpose of a metaphor, but uses the words like or as in the comparison. Each three of these ways are tools that can be used to compare two things, but the effect that is given off is different depending on which of these techniques were used. Which one of these devices will be used depends on whether a message of similarity or evidence to back up a claim wants to be perceived.