What Is an Image? Imagery in Poetry Practice Feature Menu.

What Is an Image?

Imagery in Poetry

Practice

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An image is a word or phrase that appeals to one of our senses. Images can help us

• create a mental picture

• hear a sound

• feel texture or temperature

• taste a sweet, sour, or salty flavor

And straightway like a bellCame low and clearThe slow, sad murmur of the distant seas,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And in the hush of waters was the soundOf pebbles rolling round,For ever rolling with a hollow sound.And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters goSwish to and froTheir long, cold tentacles of slimy grey.

—from “The Shell” by James Stephens

Listen to this excerpt of “The Shell” by James Stephens and imagine the scene he describes.

Which words appeal to the sense of hearing? sight? touch?

And straightway like a bell

Came low and clear

The slow, sad murmur of the distant seas,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And in the hush of waters was the sound

Of pebbles rolling round,

For ever rolling with a hollow sound.

And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters go

Swish to and fro

Their long, cold tentacles of slimy grey. —from “The Shell” by James Stephens

Quick Check

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Imagery Descriptive words or phrases that appeal to the 5 senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell- creating a picture in the reader’s mind.

What is the mental picture or image you are left with after reading the passage from “The Most Dangerous Game”Write down words or phrases that appeal to your senses.

1. Select a passage from “The Most Dangerous Game” that appeals to at least 3 of the reader’s five senses.

2. Write the passage on the white paper provided. 3. Create a color code system to show which

words appeal to which senses (example: all words in the passage that appeal to touch may be underlined red).

4. Based upon the passage create an illustration, collage, or various symbols that represent the most important images in the passage.

1. Select a paragraph from “The Most Dangerous Game” that you think is the best example of imagery.

2. Use pages 218-219,220,221, 231,232 only.

3. Write the passage on the white paper provided.

4.Create a color code system to show which words appeal to which senses (example: all words in the passage that appeal to touch may be underlined red).

5. Based upon the passage create an illustration, collage, or various symbols that represent the most important images in the passage.