imagery

Everyday

1. Imagery is the use of words to create pictures in the reader's mind, using descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings, often through similes and metaphors. tree →
2. Imagery is also pictures or images, such as satellite imagery or the images in a film or painting. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, pupils look for imagery in poems and stories and explain its effect: «The sun was a golden coin» is imagery. In geography and science, satellite imagery shows the Earth from space. Common phrases: «vivid imagery», «use imagery», «satellite imagery», «powerful imagery», «religious imagery».

Examples

• The poem uses imagery of the sea and storms. tree →
• Find two examples of imagery in the first paragraph. tree →
• The writer's vivid imagery made me feel I was in the forest. tree →
• Satellite imagery showed the size of the bushfire. tree →
• Church windows are full of religious imagery. tree →
• Similes and metaphors are kinds of imagery. tree →
• The film's imagery was dark and frightening. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of imagery», not «imageries». Say IM-ij-ree. Related: «image», «imagine», «imagination». In tests, when asked about imagery, name the picture it creates and how it makes you feel.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means carved or fancy pictures, perhaps beautiful sculpted things on ships, that people were proud of.

Interpretation. Isaiah warns that God will bring low everything people are proud of. Tradition reads this as a warning against pride in wealth and trade.

Examples

• And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all delightful imagery. (Prophets ISA.2.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a lot of imagery», not «imageries». Say IM-ij-ree. Related: «image», «imagine», «imagination». In tests, when asked about imagery, name the picture it creates and how it makes you feel.