Imagery Descriptive words that create a picture in the reader’s mind. READING STRATEGY: Visualizing!!! Ask students to take out their “Poetic Elements Notes” and complete the boxes for Imagery. Remind students that one important reading strategy is Visualizing—imagery helps us to picture what is happening in our mind.

Imagery in “Casey at the Bat” Line 3 “So, when Cooney died at second, and Burrows did the same,” Lines 15-16 “And when the dust had lifted, and they saw what had occurred, There was Blakey safe at second, and Flynn a-huggin’ third.” Lines 21-22 “There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place, There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile on Casey’s face;” Review the poem “Casey at the Bat.” Go through the examples of imagery found within that poem. Ask students what image pops into their mind. It is fun to call on a few students to act out what the lines help them picture, for example, a student could act out Casey’s swagger as he walks up to the plate—they love that!

Line 48 “And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.” Line 27 “Then when the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiacne glanced in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip” Line 43 “They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,” Line 48 “And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.” Line 49-52 “Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light; And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout, But there is no joy in Mudville. Mighty Casey has struck out.” Review the poem “Casey at the Bat.” Go through the examples of imagery found within that poem. Ask students what image pops into their mind. It is fun to call on a few students to act out what the lines help them picture, for example, a student could act out Casey’s swagger as he walks up to the plate—they love that!

What is the Effect of the Imagery? Poem’s Version Alternative Version “Then when the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance glanced in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip” The pitcher held the ball by his side and Casey looked at the pitcher with a smile. Ask students why author’s write descriptively with imagery. Compare the imagery used in the poem to an “image-less” account of what is happening in the story. Ask students to describe the difference between the two versions. In the poem, we can almost feel that animosity between the pitcher and Casey. In the second version, for all we know they could be best friends playing a friendly pick-up game. The imagery creates a very tense tone that one would feel if playing in a very close and important baseball game.

What is the Effect of the Imagery? Poem’s Version Alternative Version “They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,” Casey was anxious during his up to bat. In the poem’s version, we can actually see the physical expression of anxiety that Casey is feeling. The second one just tells us he anxious and we have no idea to what degree he is nervous. Showing vs. telling.

“There Is No Word For Goodbye” Be looking for examples of imagery in the poem. Be prepared to explain the effect of the imagery. The net of wrinkles into wise black pools. Helps us picture her eyes. Describe the character—know she older Pass out copies of “Imagery Poem Examples” and “Imagery Analysis” to students. For each poem on their “Imagery Analysis,” they should 1) Read the poem. 2) Copy down the imagery onto their handout (OR underline/highlight the imagery if you have enough copies for each student). 3) Describe the effect of the Imagery. 4) Sketch a quick drawing of the image the poem creates in their mind. Complete the first one together. Proceed to the next slide ONLY after students have completed the chart for each poem. There are pictures that go along with each poem, but I’d rather students use their imaginations and the imagery in the poem to draw their pictures.

Sample Image for “There is No Word for Goodbye”

Sample Image for “Sunset”

Sample Image for “Sunset”

Sample image for “Carousel”

Sample Image for “Night Watch (Ode to the Gargoyle.)”

Sample Image for “Night Watch (Ode to the Gargoyle.)”

Sample Image for “Night Watch (Ode to the Gargoyle.)”

Sample Image for “Night Watch (Ode to the Gargoyle.)”

Sample Image for Tenebris

Sample Image for Winter’s Wake

Sample Image for Winter’s Wake