Final answer:
An analogy is indeed a valuable tool in technical writing for comparing unfamiliar concepts to familiar ones, aiding reader comprehension. It works by highlighting similarities between complex subjects and well-known ideas, making it easier to grasp intricate information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that an analogy is a useful technical writing tool because it compares an unfamiliar concept to one that may be familiar to a reader is True. An analogy serves to make complex subjects more accessible by drawing a parallel between something unfamiliar and something well-known, easing the understanding for readers. This technique can be particularly effective in technical writing where complex ideas need to be conveyed to an audience that may not be familiar with the subject matter.
For instance, explaining the function of a computer's CPU by comparing it to a brain helps readers who are not familiar with computer hardware to understand the CPU's central role in processing information. Analogies also play a significant role in all genres of writing, including both fiction and nonfiction, to reflect an author's thinking and to clarify concepts for readers.
Analogies can be found in various formats such as similes and metaphors, longer narrative forms like allegory, and can also help readers analyze and evaluate different subjects using comparison and contrast reasoning strategies. A writer might use an analogy to create a comparative relationship between two conditions, people, or items, emphasizing their similarities to explain or highlight a point.