Answering Questions on Imagery Reading for UAE Answering Questions on Imagery

Learning Intentions You are reviewing the techniques classed as imagery You are developing your ability to recognise imagery within a piece of writing You are learning a strategy / formula for answering Textual Analysis and Close Reading questions on imagery.

What is Imagery? Imagery is the term used when a writer creatively or imaginatively compares one thing to another. There are three techniques that fall under the heading of imagery…can you think what they might be?

SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION Imagery refers to… SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION Write a definition of each term in your jotter!

SIMILE A comparison between two things which uses ‘like’ or ‘as.’ He’s like a machine on the football pitch! The trees stood as tall and straight as soldiers.

METAPHOR A direct comparison where something is said to actually be something else, or where the point being made is clearly not literal: They were frozen to the spot. The referee’s a donkey!

PERSONIFICATION Giving a non-living thing human or lifelike characteristics. The wind howled and roared. The vicious sea battered the cliffs.

The audience were glued to their seats. Name that Technique! The audience were glued to their seats.

The clothes danced and waved to each other on the washing line. Name that Technique! The clothes danced and waved to each other on the washing line.

The wave advanced towards the surfer like a wall of solid stone. Name that Technique! The wave advanced towards the surfer like a wall of solid stone.

The nuclear waste buried in the desert is a filthy brew. Name that Technique! The nuclear waste buried in the desert is a filthy brew.

Snow lay on the tree branches like icing. Name that Technique! Snow lay on the tree branches like icing.

The wind whistled a tune. Name that Technique! The wind whistled a tune.

Scottish Independence is an express train headed towards disaster. Name that Technique! Scottish Independence is an express train headed towards disaster.

The fans flooded into the rock concert. Name that Technique! The fans flooded into the rock concert.

The tree’s roots were like an octopus’s tentacles. Name that Technique! The tree’s roots were like an octopus’s tentacles.

The letterboxes chattered in the wind. Name that Technique! The letterboxes chattered in the wind.

Answering Imagery Questions You will always encounter questions on imagery. Here is the best way to approach imagery questions… Identify the two things being compared Explore the root of the image (more later!) Explain why the comparison is appropriate in the context of the passage: how does it reflect the writer’s views, experiences or ideas?

What two things are being compared? The wave advanced towards the surfer like a wall of solid stone. The nuclear waste buried in the desert is a filthy brew. Scottish Independence is an express train headed towards disaster. At 3.30, the pupils were a tidal wave flowing out the school gates. My History teacher is an old fossil.

Sometimes it’s not so obvious! The fans flooded into the rock concert The forest was battered and bruised by the vicious storm. Over time, cities expanded until they swallowed the surrounding villages whole. People who claim benefits are sucking the life out of Britain.