Writing Focus: Imagery

Imagery is something that is integral to writing. Used sparingly or extensively, imagery can make or break your story. There are several ways that you can integrate imagery into your story -- by using it in a variety of ways you can create the perfect atmosphere that your story needs!

What is Imagery?

Imagery is a term used to describe a type of language primarily used to appeal to the senses – words and phrases used to paint a picture in the mind of the reader. The main forms of imagery are word choice, metaphor and simile.

A simile is characterised by likening the object to another, most often using either ‘like’ or ‘as’ to create the link.

A metaphor does not compare the object to another as much as it says that the object is the other object. Metaphors are often characterised by the use of ‘is a’, but language used to construct metaphors is wide and diverse. A great example of a metaphor is the monologue from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Like similes, metaphors can be found in a wide variety of modern and classic works.

Tips

Balancing your writing when using imagery can be one of the most difficult things to do. When writing, think about how much or how little of your story is using imagery and change it accordingly. Suspenseful scenes tend to use less imagery coupled with short sentencing to create an atmosphere, but some other scenes that are important can use a lot of imagery to stimulate the senses. Think about your writing – do you want the reader to have to think on their feet and use their imagination to conjure up a picture? Use imagery sparingly. If you want the reader to be transported to a vivid world, use rich imagery to your advantage.

Prompts

Looking for ways to improve your writing by using imagery? The following prompts could be very useful, as they focus on improving that aspect of your writing!

1. Write a scene between two characters without dialogue.
2. Write a piece where the focus is more on the beauty of the setting around the characters than the characters themselves.
3. Write a short story or poem about an old house and the unusual happenings that go on within it, paying close attention to detail.

Stories

There are some fantastic examples of imagery in Mibba's story section. Check these stories out to get some hints and tips on how to use imagery to your advantage!

Go On is a drabble that uses imagery to create a beautiful picture in such a short period of time. Note how the author uses the senses to her advantage to create a well-rounded picture of the girl.

Wake Up is a Minecraft fan fiction that relies heavily on imagery. Note how the author uses simple word choices coupled with metaphors and similes throughout to create a striking picture that draws the reader in.

Whether used extensively or sparingly, it isn’t difficult to see why imagery is so important in writing in all shapes and forms! Getting that perfect balance between sparse and over-flowery imagery can be difficult, but once perfected it will make your writing a sensory experience that most readers will love!

Special thanks to Fandango and chibs telford for editing!