Imagery is a stylistic device, which uses language to appeal to the reader's senses of sight, sound, smell, taste or touch. It is sometimes used as a form of analogy, comparing an abstract idea to a concrete experience. Its aim is to paint a picture in the mind of the reader and bring a text 'to life'. This engages the reader further and makes him/her want to read on.

To practice working with imagery, you can take a photograph (like the one you see here) and explain it to another person without showing him or her. You can even describe the experience of being in the photograph, referring to all senses, "You feel the sand between your toes and catch the scent of salt in the air." This is only one example of many that you could use. 

Related lessons

• Figurative language
• Imagery & the 5 senses