What is Imagery?

Imagery is the use of figurative language and descriptive words to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.

Words that tell..Sight what would you see ? what would it look like? Examples: old, frail, sunny, shy, hysterical, healthy, broken, fresh, tall, round,

Words that tell…Sound what would you hear ? what does it sound like? Examples: shout, thud, whistle, clatter

Words that tell…Taste what would you taste ? what does it taste like? Examples: sweet, burnt, buttery, salty, warm, crisp, tangy

Words that tell…Smell how does it smell? what does it smell like? Examples: musty, fresh, spicy, piney

Words that tell…Touch/Feeling what does it feel like? how does it feel? Examples: sharp, smooth, tickly, warm, fuzzy, dry

Divide A Sheet of Paper Into Four Columns & Label Like This: Sight Sound Taste Touch Smell

Now, see how many examples of Sensory Imagery you can find. “ Walls of thick vegetation rose up on all sides and arched overhead in a lacy canopy that filtered the light to a soft shade. It had just rained; the air was hot and steamy. I felt enclosed in a semitropical terrarium, sealed off from a world that suddenly seemed a thousand miles away.” - From Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell "He leaped upon the rail and balanced himself there, to get greater elevation; his pipe, striking a rope, was knocked from his mouth. He lunged for it; a short, hoarse cry came from his lips as he realized he had reached too far and had lost his balance. The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head. "He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and the salt water in his open mouth made him gag “

Now You Try It – Use Sensory Imagery to describe: 1. pizza 2. popcorn 3. a boring class 4. a football player who thinks he’s really cool. 5. a silly dog