Imagery in Literature What is it? How is it achieved?

Imagery is when a writer uses vivid, figurative or descriptive langauge to: 1.appeal to the reader’s senses 2.help the reader create a picture in their mind 3.add depth to their work 4.help the reader feel present in the moment 5.communicate the world of the text to the reader What is imagery?

 Visual  Auditory  Kinesthetic  Olfactory  Gustatory  Tactile  Organic Types of imagery

This appeals to our sense of sight. “The crimson liquid spilled from the neck of the white dove, staining and matting its pure, white feathers.” Visual Imagery

This describes sound. "....Which has its sounds, familiar, like the roar Of trees and crack of branches, common things, But nothing so like beating on a box“ (From 'An Old Man’s Winter Night' by Robert Frost) Auditory Imagery

This describes a sense of movement or tension. "Tossing their heads in sprightly dance" (from 'Daffodils' by W. Wordsworth) Kinesthetic Imagery

This helps to summon and deliver smells to readers. "Gio's socks, still soaked with sweat from Tuesday's P.E. class, filled the classroom with an aroma akin to that of salty, week-old, rotting fish" Olfactory Imagery

This illustrates taste, of food or other things. “ Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold“ From the poem "This Is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams) Gustatory Imagery

This appeals to the reader’s sense of touch. 'The bed linens might just as well be ice and the clothes snow.' From Robert Frost's "The Witch of Coos" Tactile Imagery

This concentrates on recreating internal sensations like hunger, thirst, fear or fatigue. “Weary and without hope of rest, I continued my tiring journey.” Organic Imagery

Writers use a variety of techniques including:  Figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, etc.)  Adjectives and descriptive language  Comparisons  Contrasts  Allusions  Onomatopoeia (auditory and kinesthetic)  Symbolism  Concrete details (e.g. the bag was made of leather)  Sensory details (e.g. the bag smelled of leather) How do writers create imagery?

 Be specific about the type of imagery being used, e.g. natural, animal, rural, etc.  Comment on the effect the imagery has on readers  Where possible and appropriate, make connections to Steinbeck’s use of symbolism, e.g. recurring images of dogs with dogs symbolising friendship and loyalty. Tips for writing about imagery in Of Mice and Men