THE ROLE OF METAPHOR IN MEMORY RETENTION AND LEARNING EFFICIENCY
Keywords:
Metaphor; cognition; memory retention; learning efficiency; analogy; cognitive processing; educational linguistics; schema theoryAbstract
This paper examines the role of metaphor in enhancing memory retention and learning efficiency from a cognitive and pedagogical perspective. Moving beyond traditional rhetorical views, metaphor is treated as a cognitive tool that structures understanding and facilitates knowledge acquisition. Drawing on theories of cognitive semantics and psycholinguistics, particularly the work of Raymond W. Gibbs Jr. and Dedre Gentner, the study argues that metaphor supports deeper processing and long-term retention. The paper synthesizes theoretical insights and empirical findings, demonstrating that metaphor-based learning significantly improves comprehension, recall, and application of knowledge.
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