A series of strategies called the "Synectics Model," can be used by teachers in helping students to break away from usual thought patterns and to make new connections. Its purpose is to increase creativity and to produce lateral thinking. The activities employed involve the use of metaphor. Examples of the model are provided that were either written or taped in foreign language classes and in teacher workshops. The steps in the procedure involve the following: (1) description of present impressions; (2) direct analogy; (3) personal analogy; (4) compressed conflict or antonyms; (5) a second direct analogy; (6) reexamination of the task; and (7) closure. Examples are given of both FL teachers' and social studies teachers' responses to the seven steps in the exercise. Further examples of use of the process are given for a high school French class. The paper closes with a discussion of the use of synectics as a tool in advertising. (AMH)