Argument by Analogy *An analogy (i.e., the demonstration of the similarity between two relations) can be used as a comparison in order to clarify, structure, or evaluate a theme or proposed idea. *Use analogy when you establish one cause-and-effect relationship by comparing it with another. This other relationship, which is held up as a model, should be familiar and acceptable to your audience. If it is not, you will need to go back and clarify it. *Analogies can be used like examples for supporting causal arguments and they can be used to argue for the causes of events in the past and to predict events in the future. *Two causal techniques for predicting the positive outcome of a proposed idea: 1) chain of causes, and 2) analogy. In analogy you can support your prediction if you can find another case where the same policy you are proposing has lead to the very same effect you are predicting. In other words, you argue that if proposal-led-to result there and then, proposal-will-lead-to-result "here and in the future". Argument by Analogy Argument by Analogy