1. National 5 Imagery Understand how to answer imagery questions

2. Imagery
The first thing you need to understand is that when you are answering an imagery question, you must give the literal meaning of the word (the ROOT) and then go on to explain how the writer is using the image in the passage.

3. Imagery
Remember to look VERY closely at the wording of the question. Your answer MUST be relevant – it is not just about your ability to deconstruct.
Always choose the image (s) you will find the easiest to explain.

4. Good practice
Markers appreciate a clear layout. Indicate what you are going to use:
Imagery
‘temple’ a temple is a place of worship where people show their utmost respect (ROOT). In the passage the writer feels that libraries deserve a high level of admiration because of the vast amount of knowledge they have available.
MARKS DEPEND ON THE QUALITY OF THE COMMENT

5. The Root
Your first task is to identify the ROOT of the images presented.

6. Consider the following images:

7. Consider the following images:

8. Consider the following images:

9. Example 1
An extract from The Guardian newspaper, in which Tony McNulty writes about the importance of the Census
It’s time for the 2011 census and I would urge everyone to fill out the forms in as best they can and understand that this is a really important exercise. The census is all about providing the state with key data so that it can understand the nature of our communities much better than it does. It is a snapshot of the UK on one particular day in one particular year – but the data provided has profound ramifications for all communities and for some time to come.
Show how the writer’s use of imagery clarifies what he is saying about the census.

10. Example 1
In this passage the writer explores some of the reasons for the popularity of reality TV shows such as ‘The X Factor’.
The X Factor, the brainchild of Simon Cowell, is the most popular programme on Saturday night. Each week, hundreds make the pilgrimage to be part of the live audience, and millions of us tune in at home to watch.
Explain how effective you find the expression ‘pilgrimage’ as an image.

11. Example 2
An extract from The Scotsman newspaper, in which Joyce McMillan argues against those who blame all society’s ills on youth crime.
Britain, at the moment, is a nation full of respectable citizens – people who have played by the rules all their lives – who are waking up at night in a sweat of fear over whether they will be able to pay the bills, keep up with the mortgage payments, and hang on to their jobs, as the recession bites; and it is understandable that they feel frightened, betrayed and angry. It is, though, neither pleasant nor smart of them to take the tabloid bait which suggest they should focus that anger on a small minority of street kids who break the rules.
Show how the writer’s imagery makes clear how ‘respectable citizens’ are reacting to youth crime.

12. Example 3
An extract from The Independent newspaper, in which Johann Hari argues that people should not be working such long hours.
Britain now has the longest hours in the developed world after the US – and in recession, those of us with jobs scamper ever faster in our hamster wheels. Yet the economists and thinkers of, say, the 1930s, assumed that once we had achieved abundance – once humans had all the food and clothes and heat and toys we could use – we would relax and work less.
Instead, the treadmill is whirling ever-faster. We don’t stop because
we are locked in an arms race with our colleagues.
Show how the writer’s imagery makes clear his disapproval of current working practices.

13. Example 4
An extract from The Times newspaper, in which James Harkin discusses the usefulness of Twitter in reporting worldwide events.
Twitter is the latest social networking craze to have conquered the ageing mainstream media, and using it is like sending out a universal text message to the whole of the planet. For many, this technology-enhanced wittering is simply something that we indulge in during our spare time, but it’s not without its issues.
Show how the writer uses imagery to support the points he is making about Twitter in general and the media in general.

14. Example 5
An extract from The Herald newspaper, in which Ruth Wishart offers some thoughts on attitudes to immigration in Scotland.
Yet at the heart of this ever more fierce approach to immigration policy lie a number of misconceptions. The UK is not a group of nations swamped by a tidal wave of immigration. Relatively speaking, Europe contends with a trickle of refugees compared with countries who border areas of famine, poverty or violent political upheaval.
Discuss how effective you find the writer’s use of imagery in making her point clear.

15. Example 6
An extract from The Times newspaper, in which Ben Macintyre explores his experience in an American supermarket.
Last week, on a holiday in the US, I went to a supermarket near Fort Myers to buy breakfast cereal with the children, and suffered the first of a series of choice overdoses. A vast canyon of cereals stretched the horizon: a universe of flakes, crunchies and puffs.
Discuss how effective you find the writer’s use of imagery in making his point clear.

16. Example 7
An extract from The Economist magazine, in which the writer explores the problem of obesity in the modern world.
Mankind has won what was, for most of his time on this planet, his biggest battle: to ensure that he and his offspring had enough to eat. But every silver lining has a cloud, and the consequence of wealth is a new plague that brings with it a host of interesting policy dilemmas.
How effective do you find the imagery in illustrating the writer’s line of thought?