IMAGERY “Using the Five Senses” 2/06/2012

What is IMAGERY? Imagery is the use of vivid descriptions to create pictures, or images, in the reader's mind.

Evoking the Five Senses Imagery can give the reader an impression of any of the five senses.

SIGHT “The stunning orange and red swirls of the flame burned my Eyes like a million suns.”

HEARING “The sonic boom from the engines was so loud my ear drums felt Like exploding.”

SMELL “I could smell the sweet, baked goodness of my grandmother’s kitchen.”

TASTE “The sourness of the lemon made my tongue sting and my lips Pucker.”

TOUCH “The rabbit’s fur felt softer than one hundred cashmere sweaters.”

 The hot July sun beat down, casting an orange glare over the farm buildings, the fields, and the pond. Even the usually cool green willows bordering the pond hung wilted and dry. Our sun-baked backs stung and ached for relief. We quickly pulled off our sweaty clothes and plunged into the pond, but the freezing water only stifled us and we soon climbed onto the brown, dusty bank. Our thirsty throats longed for something cool--a delicious strawberry iced-tea, or a tall glass of sweet-but-sour lemonade.  We trekked through the underbrush as it crackled like fireworks beneath our feat. The sharp briars pulled at our damp jeans, until we reached the watermelon patch. As we began to cut open the nearest melon, we could smell the sweet skin mingling with the bitter odor of the dry earth. Suddenly, the melon gave way with a loud crack, revealing the deep, pink sweetness inside.  The hot July sun beat down, casting an orange glare over the farm buildings, the fields, and the pond. Even the usually cool green willows bordering the pond hung wilted and dry. Our sun-baked backs stung and ached for relief. We quickly pulled off our sweaty clothes and plunged into the pond, but the freezing water only stifled us and we soon climbed onto the brown, dusty bank. Our thirsty throats longed for something cool--a delicious strawberry iced-tea, or a tall glass of sweet-but-sour lemonade.  We trekked through the underbrush as it crackled like fireworks beneath our feat. The sharp briars pulled at our damp jeans, until we reached the watermelon patch. As we began to cut open the nearest melon, we could smell the sweet skin mingling with the bitter odor of the dry earth. Suddenly, the melon gave way with a loud crack, revealing the deep, pink sweetness inside.

How to Create Imagery 1.Powerful Descriptions 2.Similes 3.Metaphors 4.Onomatopoeias 1.Powerful Descriptions 2.Similes 3.Metaphors 4.Onomatopoeias

So what?  Why should writing include imagery?  Makes the reader more excited to read the poem or story.  Adds creativity to the poem or story.  The reader feels as if he or she is actually there with the characters.  Why should writing include imagery?  Makes the reader more excited to read the poem or story.  Adds creativity to the poem or story.  The reader feels as if he or she is actually there with the characters.

Practicing Imagery  On your own, write examples of IMAGERY based on the pictures provided. They should deal with at least one of the five senses:  TOUCH  SMELL  TASTE  HEARING  SIGHT  On your own, write examples of IMAGERY based on the pictures provided. They should deal with at least one of the five senses:  TOUCH  SMELL  TASTE  HEARING  SIGHT

Create Imagery!