Language Skills

1. Language Skills Analysis Questions: Imagery

2. Questions about Analysis Questions • Where should I look for the answer to the question? • How manymarks is it worth? • What typeof question is it: Understanding, Analysis or Evaluation? • Which language features am I being asked to comment on (sentence structure, word choice, imagery and/or tone)?

3. Analysis Questions - Structure When writing an answer to an analysis (or evaluation) question, it is helpful to apply the following structure: • Identify unusual language features you have discovered, quoting them where possible. • Explain what the feature you have identified contributes to the passage. For Example: • 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.)

4. 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.

5. 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.”

6. Comparison Imagery - Structure When commenting on the use of imagery, it is helpful to do the following: • Identify the image being used. • Identify the literal and figurative parts of the image. • Explain what the feature you have identified contributes to the passage: • Explain the literal meaning / root of the image. • 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.

7. Imagery in “Blackberry-Picking” Seamus Heaney describes tasting the first blackberry of the season: “You ate that first one and its flesh was sweetLike thickened wine” Comment on the writer’s use of imagery in the above extract.

8. Comparison Imagery - Structure When commenting on the use of imagery, it can be helpful to consider doing the following: • Identify the specific technique being used. • Identify the literal meaning / root of the image. • Identify the figurative meaning of the image. • Explain what the feature you have identified contributes to the passage, by doing the following: • Explain the literal meaning / root of the image. • 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.

9. 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?

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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?

14. 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.