“In the old days, it was magnetic stones, magnetized trees, and magnetized air. Today, it’s magnetic bracelets, magnetic necklaces, magnetic shoe inserts, and now, magnetic mattresses. What’s next? Magnetic jock straps? But I knew that Grandma wouldn’t listen to a history lesson or a science lecture, so I thought I’d try another approach. ” Nada Mangialetti —Once Upon a Magnetic MattressACSH)

The author, a medical writer with a Ph.D., uses a fairy tale to communicate an important message to her grandmother. A very clever form of technical writing by vivid analogy. See also “Show, Don’t (Just) Tell.”