A study on the metaphors and analogies used in the 11th grade biology textbook

Metaphors and analogies that make it easier to make sense of abstract concepts that are difficult to understand are educational tools that develop thinking skills and creativity, which are widely used in our daily life, literature and science. Science of biology also includes abstract concepts that are difficult to understand. Metaphors and analogies used to learn and keep these concepts in mind are frequently used as analogies, figures and models in Biology textbooks. The main goal of this study is to analyze the metaphors and analogies used in the 11th grade biology textbook recommended by the Ministry of National Education to be taught in high schools in Turkey and to examine how they are structured and presented. In this study, document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, was carried out. Content analysis technique was used to evaluate the data in the study. A total of 1790 data were obtained from metaphors and analogies in the 11th grade biology textbook. Considering these data, it is seen that metaphors and analogies are frequently used as educational tools since it is difficult to explain abstract concepts with the language of science. When metaphors and analogies are used in a way that does not cause misconceptions, they will positively affect learning.