Final answer:
The term used to describe an elaborate comparison between two things which have little in common is an (1) analogy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe an elaborate comparison of two things which superficially have little in common is an analogy. An analogy extends a metaphor or a simile by further explaining or illustrating the comparison between the two seemingly disparate subjects. It often includes a series of reasons, explanations, or analyses of their similarities. For example, a writer might use an analogy to explain the unfamiliar aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic by comparing it with the more familiar concept of a robbery spree, highlighting the sudden and widespread impact of both events.
Both a metaphor and a simile are also comparison devices used in rhetoric. A metaphor makes a direct comparison by saying two things are the same, for example, "Hope is the thing with feathers" (Emily Dickinson). A simile uses words 'like' or 'as' to make the comparison, for instance, "something inside me / rising explosive as my parakeet bursting / from its cage" (Bruce Snider).
Analogies can begin with a straightforward statement comparing two unlike items, followed by a detailed exploration of how they are similar. This allows the reader to understand a complex or abstract concept by relating it to something more tangible or relatable in their own experience.