Critical Metaphor Analysis: A Systematic Step-by-step Guideline

Abstract

Metaphor analysis is a growing field of research and has particularly gained popularity in discourse and critical discourse studies over the last two decades. This has led to various analytical frameworks proposed for metaphor analysis. However, the inherent subjectivity and complexity of metaphor analysis leaves space for a systematic and step-by-step guideline. Hence, this paper proposes a guideline composed of four levels, 16 main questions, and 29 sub-questions, adapted from the existing frameworks, particularly Charteris-Black’s (2004) Critical Metaphor Analysis. This guideline is by no means claimed to meet all requirements for an in-depth metaphor analysis; however, it can still be beneficial and valuable from many aspects such as providing a series of simplified easy-to-follow steps which can always be used as part of a more in-depth metaphor analysis.