Which option best describes how an extended metaphor contributes to an argument?

• A. It emphasizes only literal descriptions.
• B. It relies on a different metaphor in every paragraph.
• C. It avoids metaphor to maintain objectivity.
• D. It sustains a metaphor across multiple lines or sections; it deepens meaning and coherence of argument.

Answer: (D)

An extended metaphor is a single figurative image that runs through multiple lines or sections, linking ideas across the whole argument. By sustaining it, the writer deepens meaning and provides a throughline that ties evidence, claims, and conclusions together, making the argument feel coherent and cumulative. This continuity helps readers interpret complex points through a shared lens, reinforcing how each part supports the main claim. If you relied only on literal descriptions, you’d miss the shaping power of figurative language; if you introduced a new metaphor in every paragraph, the thread would fragment and weaken the argument’s unity; and if you avoided metaphor entirely, you’d forgo a potent device that clarifies and persuades through a consistent image.