ImageryImagery

Words that create picturesWords that create pictures

Imagery: using words to describe one thing, which would usually be used to describe another, thus creating a picture (or image) of the thing being described as something else.

Types of imagery

• SimilieSimilie• MetaphorMetaphor• AlliterationAlliteration

• OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia• PersonificationPersonification

The Imagery QuestionThe Imagery Question  You will be You will be asked to asked to identify and discuss identify and discuss images. images. You should You should quote the quote the words that create the words that create the imageimageExplain what picture Explain what picture the the words give you.words give you.Analyse the effect Analyse the effect of the of the image.image.You should try to You should try to explain explain why the write created the why the write created the image.image.

The process usually involves:

• Identifying the actual wordsIdentifying the actual words of the image• Specifying the initial literal/denotative initial literal/denotative meaningmeaning – the root• Applying the shared aspects of the shared aspects of the connotational area connotational area of the root

• Showing how all of these have combined to Showing how all of these have combined to create a striking comparison which iscreate a striking comparison which iseffectiveeffective in relaying the writer’s the writer’s experience, emotions and perceptions.

What is the key word or words? What do you associate with this word?

What image does the word give you?

What is the effect of the image?

How do I analyse the image?

You should analyse the

associationsassociations

and/or

connotationsconnotations

of the words you have chosen.

How does imagery help the writer to explain his ideas?

You must try to explain the effecteffect of the image also.

Try to explain why the why the writer has used writer has used the image. The image could be very positive or very be very positive or very negativenegative, for example.

What if the image “in my head” seems ridiculous?

You have to have to say what image is created based on the words used by the writer.

Say what picture you get and explain how you interpreted the words.

Do I have to quote in my answer?

Yes. You will be asked to pick out (quote) the words that create the image. It is very difficult to analyse an image without quoting the words that create the image.

1.1. WHATWHAT IS BEING DESCRIBED IS BEING DESCRIBED2.2. IMAGE IMAGE CREATEDCREATED3.3. LANGUAGE LANGUAGE USED TO CREATE IMAGEUSED TO CREATE IMAGE4.4. WHY WHY THE IMAGE IS THE IMAGE IS EFFECTIVEEFFECTIVE

1. The cheetah shotshot out of the undergrowth, homing inhoming in on its target.

2. Her face was set in stoneset in stone, sculpted by the sculpted by the horrible experiencehorrible experience she had endured.

3. I wish I hadn’t gone to the party. Empty chairs lined the hall like headstonesheadstones. A couple of zombieszombies staggered about the dance floor.

Question 3 (c) 2006

How effective do you find the imagery of lines 27-34 in illustrating the writer’s line of thought?(You must refer to two examples in your answer.) 

What key word(s) did the writer use? > frenzy , peak, frenzy , peak, What do you associate with this word (s)? frenzy-excitement - out of control and peak – mountain top-summit-highest frenzy-excitement - out of control and peak – mountain top-summit-highest point point What figure of speech or technique is being used? > metaphoric language / connotation (suggests something!) / connotationmetaphoric language / connotation (suggests something!) / connotation What image is created in each sentence? >An image of > an out of control crowd An image of > an out of control crowd and a mountain top and a mountain top What is the purpose /effect of the image? > describes the excitement describes the excitement surrounding the scandal and describes the most dramatic moment –the arrest surrounding the scandal and describes the most dramatic moment –the arrest by using the word “peak” suggesting the highest point, etcby using the word “peak” suggesting the highest point, etc

The media frenzy surrounding the scandal reached a peak with the arrest of the famous celebrity.

What key word(s) did the writer use? > whimper and cries and whimper and cries and /rumble/erupted /rumble/erupted What do you associate with this word (s)? whimper and cries and whimper and cries and rumble/erupted (volcano –dramatic)rumble/erupted (volcano –dramatic) What figure of speech or technique is being used? > Onomatopoeia/sound effects / metaphoric language/metaphor / Onomatopoeia/sound effects / metaphoric language/metaphor / connotation (suggests something!) connotation (suggests something!) What image is created? > increasing sound + volcano ? “erupted”increasing sound + volcano ? “erupted” What is the purpose /effect of the image? > describes how the describes how the protests gathered momentum and led to revolution protests gathered momentum and led to revolution

There was a whimper of dissatisfaction that grew to a rumble of protest and then finally erupted in the cries of revolution in the streets.

1. The girl’s eyes were glued glued to the television. 2. The reporters swarmedswarmed around the actress. 3. The famous actress was bombardedbombarded with questions. 4. The actress lashed out at the reporter, as she erupted erupted in fury at the offensive questioning.

5. The camera shutters exploded like machine exploded like machine gun fire. gun fire.