As he reached his conclusion, Martin said "Feedback is to communication what the thermostat is to the furnace." What type of supporting material is Martin using here

Martin is using an analogy.

Explanation:

An analogy draws a relationship between two different things. The purpose is to compare those things by finding something that connects them, despite the differences. This type of comparison serves to explain or clarify an idea, a topic, or an argument, for instance. By comparing feedback to a thermostat and communication to a furnace, Martin is trying to demonstrate how important feedback is. The thermostat is what allows us to adjust the furnaces' temperature. The same way, according to Martin's analogy, feedback allows us to adjust the way we communicate to make it more effective.

they encountered severe weather for which they were poorly prepared.

what terms are there?