Learn more. According to Gerard A. Hauser, we use imagery in speech and writing "not only to beautify but also to create relationships that give new meaning" (Introduction to Rhetorical Theory, 2002). to describe ideas or situations…. V. Imagery in Literature. Picture this: imagery is a noun to describe the way things or ideas seem in your mind or in art or literature. Imagery is the literary term used for language and description that appeals to our five senses. Color imagery in literature refers to using color descriptions in the story to set the mood, create visuals, evoke emotions, etc. When a writer attempts to describe something so that it appeals to our sense of smell, sight, taste, touch, or hearing; he/she has used imagery.Often, imagery is built on other literary devices, such as simile or metaphor, as the author uses comparisons to appeal to our senses. The sensory details in imagery bring works to life. It represents object, action, and idea which appeal our senses.Sometimes it becomes more complex than just a picture. Imagery Literary Device: Definition, Types, and Examples in Research Posted on January 8, 2021. Imagery helps the reader to visualize more realistically the author’s writings. Imagery commonly helps build compelling poetry, convincing narratives, vivid plays, well-designed film sets, and descriptive songs. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how to use imagery to analyze a text. It describes what a scene or character looks like. A literary device is a technique a writer uses to convey ideas and messages to their readers.That means that as readers, we need to understand and use literary devices to fully understand a work’s major themes! Definition: In literature, one of the strongest devices is imagery wherein the author uses words and phrases to create “mental images” for the reader. Occasionally the term imagery is also used to refer to figurative language, in particular metaphors and similes. Imagery is as important as metaphor and simile and can be written without using any figurative language at all. imagery definition: 1. the use of words or pictures in books, films, paintings, etc. Visual imagery appeals to the sense of sight, and plays the largest role in imagery in literature. Best-selling authors have one attribute in common—they have a knack for using imagery as a literary device. Imagery is one of the literary devices that engage the human senses; sight, hearing, taste, and touch. A rather vague critical term covering those uses of language in a literary work that evoke sense-impressions by literal or figurative reference to perceptible or ‘concrete’ objects, scenes, actions, or states, as distinct from the language of abstract argument or exposition. 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