IMAGERY

Definition: Imagery is the use of vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses to help readers visualize scenes, emotions, or experiences in a text.

Types of Imagery & Examples:

1.     Visual Imagery (Sight)
“The golden sunset spilled light across the quiet sea.”
→ Helps the reader see the scene.

2.     Auditory Imagery (Sound)
“The leaves rustled in the wind, whispering secrets.”
→ Appeals to the sense of hearing.

3.     Olfactory Imagery (Smell)
“The scent of freshly baked bread warmed the air.”
→ Appeals to the sense of smell.

4.     Gustatory Imagery (Taste)
“The lemon was sharp and sour, biting her tongue.”
→ Appeals to the sense of taste.

5.     Tactile Imagery (Touch)
“The icy water stung his fingers like needles.”
→ Appeals to the sense of touch.

Purpose and Effect of Imagery:

·        Creates mental pictures and emotional resonance

·        Makes writing more immersive and vivid

·        Enhances mood, tone, and theme

·        Helps the reader connect emotionally to the text

 Imagery in Poetry Example:

"I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils..."
— William Wordsworth

This uses visual imagery (golden daffodils, cloud) to describe a natural scene.