1. and Descriptive Writing
Imagery
and Descriptive Writing
Using the Five Senses

2. is language that creates an image in the reader’s mind
is language that creates an image in the reader’s mind. Imagery appeals to the five senses.
Imagery
hearing
sight
smell
taste
touch
© Sharon Fabian 2016

3. Similes Metaphors Personification Onomatopoeia
includes descriptive words.
Imagery
Sight – bright, shadowy, sparkling
Hearing – rumble, wail, whisper
Touch – rugged, warm, sharp
Taste – tangy, sweet, garlic
Smell – fragrant, musty, cinnamon
also includes figurative language that appeals to the five senses.
Similes Metaphors Personification Onomatopoeia
Imagery
© Sharon Fabian 2016

4. “cute as a speckled pup under a wagon”
(From the picture book, Saving Sweetness, by Diane Stanley)
This simile appeals to the sense of sight.
These words are onomatopoeia that appeals to the sense of hearing.
“It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped,
And whirr when it stood still.”
(From the song, “The Marvelous Toy,” by Tom Paxton)
© Sharon Fabian 2016

6. Show, Don’t Tell Tell Show
The girl is getting hit in the face with water.
Show
As the wet, cool water splashed her face, she experienced a moment of pure joy. She smiled from ear to ear as her glasses fogged up with tiny droplets of dew.

7. Show, Don’t Tell Tell: The food was gross.
Show: The pale turkey slices floated limply in a pool of murky fat.
Tell: The traffic was heavy.
Show: Our old car came to a screeching stop as Main Street became clogged with a line of angry drivers.

8. Picture #1

9. Picture #2

10. Show, Don’t Tell Tell I like popcorn. Show
I love the fluffy, buttery taste of popcorn. Whenever I hear the crackling, popping sound of it being cooked, my mouth automatically waters. I can instantly envision the butter melting down my hands as I pop the little pieces of heaven into my mouth.

11. “(Abuelito) is the rain on the roof that falls like coins”
(From the poem, “Abuelito Who,” by Sandra Cisneros)
Metaphor
“The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright
(From the poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter,” by Lewis Carroll)
Personification
© Sharon Fabian 2016

12. Can you find the examples of imagery in this passage?
What I like about sailing is – everything! I love to watch the sails billow and hear them snap as they pick up the wind. I love the fresh, salty smell of the sea air. As my boat picks up speed, I love to feel the wind rushing past and to drag my hand through the sparkling water.
This little sailboat may be feeling its age, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sure, it takes a lot of time to maintain, but its lumpy layers of paint and creaky masts are what gives it character.
What I like about sailing is – everything! I love to watch the sails billow and hear them snap as they pick up the wind. I love the fresh, salty smell of the sea air. As my boat picks up speed, I love to feel the wind rushing past and to drag my hand through the sparkling water.
This little sailboat may be feeling its age, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sure, it takes a lot of time to maintain, but its lumpy layers of paint and creaky masts are what gives it character.
Did you find the examples of onomatopoeia and personification?
Onomatopoeia - snap
Personification – feeling its age
© Sharon Fabian 2016

13. The drums sounded _____ and _____, and the singer’s voice was _____.
Directions: Complete each sentence with words or phrases that will help to give the reader a mental image of what you are describing.
Wow! That ice cream sundae looks like _______. I bet it will taste _____ and _____.
The drums sounded _____ and _____, and the singer’s voice was _____.
Directions:
1. Choose one of the topics from the box, or use one of your own.
2. Write a short paragraph about your topic.
3. Include:
- at least four examples of imagery. (Try to use images that appeal to several of the senses.)
- at least one example of figurative language.
A delicious meal
An unusual animal
A place I remember
A school event

14. Sight Food Hearing Talking Smell Colors Taste Touch
Imagery – Student Note Sheet
Imagery is__________________________________ __________________________________________.
Imagery appeals to the five senses. Circle the five senses:
Circle the two statements below that are contain imagery, and on the lines, explain what type of imagery each one contains.
Tad inherited that weathered bamboo fishing pole with its rusty metal fittings from grandpa.
Melvin carried the boxes into the den and opened them after lunch.
Kasie wore her coat to school in the morning but carried it home in the afternoon.
The dress that Meg designed was as elegant as a Victorian ball gown.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Write your own example of imagery with descriptive words and figurative language.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sight
Food
Hearing
Talking
Smell
Colors
Taste
Touch
Imagery may also include ____________________ language.
Name two types of figurative language and give an example of imagery with each one.
1. ____________________________
Example
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________
© Sharon Fabian 2016

15. Sight Food Hearing Talking Smell Colors Taste Touch
Imagery – Answer Key
Imagery is language that creates an image in the reader’s mind.
Imagery appeals to the five senses. Circle the five senses:
Circle the two statements below that are contain imagery, and on the lines, explain what type of imagery each one contains.
Tad inherited that weathered bamboo fishing pole with its rusty metal fittings from grandpa.
Melvin carried the boxes into the den and opened them after lunch.
Kasie wore her coat to school in the morning but carried it home in the afternoon.
The dress that Meg designed was as elegant as a Victorian ball gown.
“Weathered,” “bamboo,” and “with its rusty metal fittings” give us an image of Tad’s fishing pole.
“As elegant as a Victorian ball gown” is a simile that gives us an image of how Meg’s dress looked.
Write your own example of imagery with descriptive words and figurative language.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sight
Food
Hearing
Talking
Smell
Colors
Taste
Touch
Imagery may also include figurative language.
Name two types of figurative language and give an example of imagery with each one.
1. simile
Example
“Cute as a speckled pup under a wagon” (Saving Sweetness, by Diane Stanley)
2. onomatopoeia
“It went zip when it moved and bop when it stopped,” (“The Marvelous Toy,” by Tom Paxton)
© Sharon Fabian 2016

16. Note the imagery in the following songs…