Imagery (Sensory Images)

Imagery means to use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our
physical five senses. Imagery draws on the five senses, namely the details of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
When a writer attempts to describe something so that it appeals to our sense of smell, sight, taste, touch, or
hearing; he/she has used imagery. As a literary device, imagery comprises of imaginative descriptive language that
can function as a way for the reader to better imagine the world of the piece of literature and also add symbolism to
the work.

Imagery helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author’s writings. Often, imagery is built on other literary
devices, such as simile or metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia etc. as the author uses comparisons to appeal to
our senses besides it needs the aid of figures of speech in order to appeal to the bodily senses.

In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to create “mental
images” for the reader. Imagery can also pertain to details about movement or a sense of a body in motion
(kinesthetic imagery) or the emotions or sensations of a person, such as fear or hunger (organic imagery or
subjective imagery).

Common Examples of Imagery

We use imagery in everyday speech to convey our meaning. Here are some examples of imagery from each of the
five senses:

 Taste: The familiar tang of his grandmother’s barbeque sauce reminded him of his youth.
 Sight: The sunset was the most dazzling they’d ever seen; the clouds were decorated with orange and gold.
 Sound: The concert was so loud that his ears rang for days afterward.
 Smell: After eating the curry, his breath reeked of garlic.
 Touch: The tree bark was rough against her skin.

Types of Imagery in Literature

Visual Imagery

This form helps in evoking the sight of a particular image explained. Visual imagery appeals to the sense of sight, and
plays the largest role in imagery in literature. It describes what a scene or character looks like.

Visual imagery may include:

 Color, such as: burnt red, verdant green, dull yellow, bright orange, and Robin’s egg blue.
 Shapes, such as: square, circular, rectangular, tubular and conical.
 Size, such as: miniscule, small, large, tiny, medium-sized, and gigantic.
 Pattern, such as: polka-dotted, zig-zagged, striped, jagged, and straight.
Examples:
The night was black as ever, but bright stars lit up the sky
The deep blue hues of twilight were reflected in the still water.
the slight glint of moonlight peeked through the clouds.

Auditory Imagery

It is used to represent sound. Auditory imagery describes specific sounds that are happening within the story. Words
such as “bang!” “achoo!” “cacaw!” all work to describe sounds that most people are familiar with.

Auditory imagery may include:

 Enjoyable sounds, such as: beautiful music, birdsong, and the voices of a chorus.
 Noises, such as: the bang of a gun, the sound of a broom moving across the floor, and the sound of broken
glass shattering on the firm floor.
 The lack of noise, describing a peaceful calm or eerie silence.
Examples:
Anna, the minute she set her eyes on him, let loose the scream of her life.
The rumbling sound of clouds, indicated start of monsoon.
An Old Man's spent the Winter Night with the roar of trees, the crack of branches, beating on a box.
The rooster crowed at early dawn, a sign that it was time to start the day.

Olfactory Imagery

Olfactory imagery describes a particular scent. It is related to the nose, that is, smell. Thus, it helps to conjure up
smells to the reader.

Olfactory imagery may include:

 Fragrances, such as perfumes, enticing food and drink, and blooming flowers.
 Odors, such as rotting trash, body odors, or a stinky wet dog.

Examples:
The sweet scent of maple wafted through the room.
Sam loved the smell of petrol.
She smelled as sweet as roses.
I was awakened by the strong smell of a freshly brewed coffee.

Gustatory Imagery

Gustatory imagery pertains to the sense of taste. It helps evoke the sense of taste in one's mind.

Gustatory imagery can include:

 Sweetness, such as cookies,candies, and desserts.
 Sourness, bitterness, and tartness, such as lemons and limes.
 Saltiness, such as french fries, pretzels, and pepperonis.
 Spiciness, such as salsas and curries.
 Savoriness, such as a steak dinner or thick soup.

Examples:
She served the bland sea-shell pasta with the sweet mariana sauce.
The taste of toothpaste was as bitter as gall.
I touched the naked wire. It was the biggest mistake of my life.
Jason took one look at the cupcake in front of him and couldn’t wait another second.

Tactile Imagery

Tactile imagery appeals to the sense of touch. Sense of touch is represented with the use of tactile imagery.

Tactile imagery includes:

 Temperature, such as bitter cold, humidity, mildness, and stifling heat.
 Touch, such as hand-holding, one’s in the grass, or the feeling of starched fabric on one’s skin.
 Texture, such as rough, ragged, seamless, and smooth.
 Movement, such as burning muscles from exertion, swimming in cold water, or kicking a soccer ball.

Examples:
Mary touches the harp like morning-glory strings and plays some tenderness.
Sarah placed her bare hand on the cold snow.
The feeling of a nice fuzzy blanket on a cold night is heaven.
Sarah placed her bare hand on the cold snow.