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What Is an Image?
Imagery in Poetry
Practice
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
Listen to this excerpt of “The Shell” by James
Stephens and imagine the scene he describes.
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
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
Which words
appeal to the
sense of
hearing?
sight? touch?
[End of Section]
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.
2.
3.
4.
Select a passage from “The Most Dangerous
Game” that appeals to at least 3 of the reader’s
five senses.
Write the passage on the white paper provided.
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).
Based upon the passage create an illustration,
collage, or various symbols that represent the
most important images in the passage.
1.
2.
3.
Select a paragraph
from “The Most
Dangerous Game”
that you think is the
best example of
imagery.
Use pages 218219,220,221,
231,232 only.
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.