Language Skills
Analysis Questions:
Imagery
Questions about Analysis
Questions
1. Where should I look for the answer to the question?
2. How many marks is it worth?
3. What type of question is it: Understanding, Analysis or
Evaluation?
4. Which language features am I being asked to comment on
(sentence structure, word choice, imagery and/or tone)?
Analysis Questions - Structure
When writing an answer to an analysis (or evaluation) question,
it is helpful to apply the following structure:
1.
2.
Identify unusual language features you have discovered,
quoting them where possible.
Explain what the feature you have identified contributes to
the passage.
For Example:
1.
2.
The writer uses repetition: “The boy was really, really tired.”
(The writer’s use of repetition is identified.)
The repetition of the word “really” is used to emphasise the
point that the boy was extremely tired.
(The writer’s purpose in using repetition is explained.)
Imagery
Imagery questions focus on the way the writer has used
particular images, or figures of speech, to put his/her ideas
across.
Imagery refers to range of literary techniques that are ways of
describing things in order to help the reader visualise them
more clearly.
The three most common types of imagery are:
• Similes
• Metaphors
• Personification
When asked to comment on imagery, you should re-read the
section of the passage the question directs you to, attempting to
find examples of imagery.
Imagery - Definitions
Similes
• These compare one object to another by suggesting that the two
things are like each other. They are usually identified by the use of
the words “like” or “as”.
• “The boy ran as fast as the wind.”
• “It was like he was glued to his seat with fear.”
Metaphors
• These compare one object to another by suggesting that the two
things are the same as each other.
• “The boy transformed into a whirling tornado.”
• “He was glued to his seat with fear.”
Personification
• This technique compares an inanimate object to a human, by giving
it human characteristics, moods, reactions, etc.
• “The floorboards groaned in complaint as the fat man walked across the
room.”
Comparison Imagery - Structure
When commenting on the use of imagery, it is helpful to do the following:
1. Identify the image being used.
• Identify the literal and figurative parts of the image.
2. Explain what the feature you have identified contributes to the passage:
a) Explain the literal meaning / root of the image.
b) Explain the figurative meaning of the image: make a sensible
connection with what the writer is trying to say at that point in the
passage.
For example:
“The fish shot through the water like a bullet.”
The writer compares the fish to a bullet.
Bullets are small, metal objects that are fired from guns and travel at great
speed, in a straight line.
This suggests that the fish was moving extremely quickly, and in a straight
line.
Imagery in “Blackberry-Picking”
Seamus Heaney describes tasting the first blackberry of
the season:
“You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet
Like thickened wine”
Comment on the writer’s use of imagery in the above
extract.
Comparison Imagery - Structure
When commenting on the use of imagery, it can be helpful to consider
doing the following:
1. Identify the specific technique being used.
a) Identify the literal meaning / root of the image.
b) Identify the figurative meaning of the image.
2. Explain what the feature you have identified contributes to the passage,
by doing the following:
a) Explain the literal meaning / root of the image.
b) Explain the figurative meaning of the image: make a sensible
connection with what the writer is trying to say at that point in the
passage.
For example:
1a/b) Heaney compares the taste of the blackberries to the taste of wine.
2a)
Wine is commonly seen to have a rich, sophisticated taste and, as
it is an alcoholic drink, is intoxicating and can be addictive.
2b)
By comparing the blackberries to wine, Heaney is therefore
suggesting that they have a complex, refined taste, and that they can be
addictive and intoxicating in the same way an alcoholic drink like wine
can.
Imagery in “Nineteen Eighty-Four”
Winston encounters the Parsons children when he visits
their house to fix a blocked pipe (p18).
“Suddenly they were both leaping round him, shouting
“Traitor!” and “Thought-criminal!” the little girl imitating
her brother in every movement. It was somehow slightly
frightening, like the gambolling of tiger cubs which will
soon grow up into man-eaters.”
How does the writer use imagery to illustrate the threat that
he believes these children present?
1. She bravely entered the supermarket and set
about finding the long list of items on her list.
She knew that bringing the baby meant this
would be a challenge; but she had no option
but to bring him. She thought that maybe this
time it would be different, but before long the
baby was an octopus, grabbing at all the cans
on the supermarket shelves.
Question:
Comment on the writer’s use of imagery to show
that the mother found looking after her baby
hard work.
2. Paul swaggered into the gym and collected his
weight-lifting gear. He positioned himself
carefully and confidently reached for the
heaviest weights. As he tensed the muscles
on his brawny arms it was clear that they were
as strong as iron bars.
Question:
Show how the writer uses imagery to describe the
strength of the weight- lifter.
3. It was obvious that he was inebriated from the
moment she saw him. She pushed him in the
front door and ignored his protests. Somehow
she managed to get him upstairs. He was
eager to help but his legs were rubber. It took
all her strength and determination to drag him
up and put him to bed.
Question:
Explain how imagery is used to describe the
physical state of the drunken man.
4. We wandered aimlessly around the forest
searching for an exit. We had been lost for
hours; it was getting dark and eerie. We felt
surrounded as the wind whispered to the
oppressive trees.
Question:
How is imagery used to add to the eerie
atmosphere created in the extract?
5.Jamie crunched through the leaves and
jumped the huge puddles in his shiny new
red Wellingtons. He smiled to himself as
he watched the multicoloured leaves
dance in the wind.
Question:
Comment on the writer’s use of imagery in
the above extract.