Purpose
Generate analogy options to make an abstract or complex concept concrete and understandable.
Invocation
/cw-analogy [concept]— Generate analogies for the specified concept/cw-analogy— System asks "What concept do you want to explain?" then generates options- Works on selection if provided, asks if not
How to Generate
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Understand the concept — What's the core mechanism or principle?
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Identify the audience — What do they already know? What's familiar to them?
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Find parallel structures — What everyday experiences share the same underlying pattern?
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Generate 3 analogies from different domains:
- Physical/tangible world
- Human relationships or social dynamics
- Common activities or processes
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Test each analogy:
- Does it illuminate the concept?
- Does it hold up under scrutiny (or break in misleading ways)?
- Is it accessible to the target audience?
Output Format
## Analogy Options
### Option 1: [Domain]
[The analogy explained in 2-3 sentences]
### Option 2: [Domain]
[The analogy explained in 2-3 sentences]
### Option 3: [Domain]
[The analogy explained in 2-3 sentences]
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Which clicks? Or want me to explore a different angle?
Principles
- Familiar vehicle, unfamiliar cargo — The analogy should come from something the reader knows well
- Structural, not surface — The best analogies share underlying mechanisms, not just superficial features
- Know the limits — Every analogy breaks down somewhere; know where yours does
- Concrete beats abstract — "It's like a thermostat" beats "It's like a feedback loop"
What to Avoid
- Analogies that require as much explanation as the original concept
- Clichéd comparisons (tip of the iceberg, double-edged sword)
- Analogies that mislead more than they illuminate
- Mixing metaphors
Lessons
[Skill-specific lessons will be added here as they're captured]