Writing Practice
How we name it is how we see it. Our word choices can reveal our opinions or influence our readers’ perceptions. Metaphors, which are figures of speech that connect two things comparatively or symbolically, are powerful tools. For instance, oil and gas companies play a major role in the production of global carbon emissions. The different aspects of the industry that we choose to emphasise through our metaphors can shape readers’ perceptions of them.
Step 1 – Think of adjectives that describe oil and gas companies
Negative
Oil and gas companies are…
Cunning
The fossil fuel industry has sneakily influenced public opinion for their own profit.
For a long time, major oil and gas companies worked together to bury scientific evidence of the environmental devastation caused by burning fossil fuels.
Balanced
Oil and gas companies are…
Powerful
They provide cheap and efficient sources of energy that keep the world moving.
Fossil fuels are dominant sources of energy that power our lives because they are energy-dense and can be produced quickly and affordably.
Positive
Oil and gas companies are…
Transformative
The fossil fuel industry is amongst the first to invest in renewable energy projects.
Major oil and gas companies like BP and Shell have pumped billions into developing alternative energy sources like wind and solar, supporting the transition to more sustainable energy.
Step 2 – Think of other objects that share these characteristics
Negative
Cunning
Fox
Balanced
Powerful
Engine
Positive
Transformative
Rising Sun
Step 3 – Expand your metaphor. Think of verbs associated with the object you have chosen. How can you use these action words to describe oil and gas companies and their impact?
Negative
Oil and gas companies are…
Cunning
For many years, oil and gas companies stealthily lurked in the shadows of the information we consumed.
Disguising their agenda to expand their profits as “scientific evidence”, they preyed on the layman’s ignorance. They lured us in with the promise of a convenient lifestyle brought by the use of fossil fuels.
Balanced
Oil and gas companies are…
Powerful
Oil and gas companies fuel our everyday life, powering everything from our household appliances to the electric cars on the road.
Energy provided by these companies is the driving force of industrial activity. It turns the gears of transportation, manufacturing and engineering, generating new opportunities and economic prosperity.
Positive
Oil and gas companies are…
Transformative
Some oil and gas companies are heralding a new dawn in the energy industry, shining light on alternative energy sources that are renewable and more sustainable. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, oil and gas companies are illuminating the future with cleaner energy.
