2. What Is an Image?
Imagery in Poetry
Practice
Imagery
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3. What Is an Imagery?
► Imagery means to use figurative language to represent
objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to
our physical senses.
► Usually it is thought that imagery makes use of particular
words that create visual representation of ideas in our
minds.
► The word “imagery” is associated with mental pictures.
4. 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
What Is an Image?
5. 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
Listen to this excerpt of “The Shell” by James Stephens and
imagine the scene he describes.
What Is an Image?
6. Which words
appeal to the
sense of
hearing? sight?
touch?
What Is an Image?
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
[End of Section]
7. Poets and painters both create vivid
images. Painters choose from a palette
of colors to create different textures
and moods in their works.
Poets also have a palette—a palette of
words—from which they choose just the
right words to create a sensory experience
for the reader.
Imagery in Poetry
8. Poets use imagery to
• speak to our deepest feelings—joy, sorrow, wonder, love
• emphasize certain qualities of the subject
• create a mood
Out on the land White Moon shines.
Shines and glimmers against gnarled shadows,
All silver to slow twisted shadows
Falling across the long road that runs from the house.
—from “Baby Face” by Carl Sandburg
Imagery in Poetry
9. Imagery is
• part of a poet’s style
• a product of the poet’s
own way of seeing the
world
• a reflection of the time
and place in which the
poet lives
Imagery in Poetry
10. How does the
imagery affect
your emotions?
Explain.
What mood does
the poet create
through his use of
imagery?
Imagery in Poetry
Quick Check
The Loon
by Lew Sarett
A lonely lake, a lonely shore,
A lone pine leaning on the moon;
All night the water-beating wings
Of a solitary loon.
With mournful wail from dusk to dawn
He gibbered at the taunting stars,—
A hermit-soul gone raving mad,
And beating at his bars.
[End of Section]
How does the
imagery affect
your emotions?
Explain.
What mood does
the poet create
through his use of
imagery?
[End of Section]
11. Images can be drawn from all sorts of things we observe in life.
For each category, create two images—one pleasant and one
unpleasant. Try to include images that appeal to all five senses.
Images Pleasant Unpleasant
Animal images
Flower images
Water images
Sky images
Earth images
City images
Country images
Practice 1
12. Practice 2
Pair Work
►Describe ONE of the topics in practice 1 using imagery.
You should write at least ONE Stanza (four lines).
►Short presentation will follow.
13. Daffodils - W.W. Worth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
14. Kubla Khan - S.T. Coleridge
The shadow of the dome of pleasure
Floated midway on the waves;
Where we heard the mingled measure
From the fountain and the caves.
15. Sweet Potato Pie - James
Taylor
Tender like a night in June,
Sweeter than a honeymoon,
Brighter than a silver spoon,
Just as crazy as a loon.
Softer than a lullaby,
Deeper than the midnight sky,
Soulful as a baby’s cry,
My sweet potato pie.
16. Week 1 Assignment
Prompt: ORANGE
► Write a ONE stanza (4 lines) poem of the prompt
above.
► Apply basic rhyme scheme (A,B, A, B)
► Use imagery/sensory language.
► Be creative! Feel free to have different interpretations
of the prompt “ORANGE”.
