Issues in the use of I. A. Richards' tenor-vehicle model of metaphor

Since its introduction in 1936, I. A. Richards' tenor-vehicle model of metaphor has seen extended use in communication scholarship. The definition of the model's terms and the application of its constructs have varied widely over time and among authors. Together with ambiguities in Richards' original articulation of the model, inconsistencies in its use and lack of critique combine to draw into question the model's coherence. This essay reviews Richards' conception of the model and subsequent treatment of its components, evaluates various patterns of appropriation, and makes recommendations regarding future usage.