Imaginative TextsThe aim of the language of the imagination is to use language creatively by producing images of characters, settings and situations. The language of imagination uses vivid detailed description that appeals to the senses, emotive vocabulary, strong verbs, adjectives, adverbs and figures of speech. All forms of literature use language imaginatively.

Some forms include: Short Stories Recounts Reviews Plays (scripts) Feature News Articles Poetry

Features of language of the imagination

When writing imaginatively your style may include any other the following features: A creative approach to a subject Vivid descriptive words and phrases Figurative language – similes / metaphors / personification / alliteration / assonance /

onomatopoeia Allusion and inter-textual references Symbolism and motifs Elements of a narrative – characters / setting / plots / conflicts / events

The language of the imagination can be used to enhance, inform, persuade and argue. It is a popular tool for journalists.

Figurative language

Figurative language is the language of the imagination, contrived to create thought through its appeal to the imagination. It aims to create images in the mind which are often referred to as ‘word pictures’, that appeal to our senses and our emotions –

Sight – visual images Sound – aural images Taste – oral images Touch – tactile images Smell – olfactory images Emotions– empathetic images

In creative writing images can be created by a variety of techniques. Common ones include: Similes Metaphors Personification Alliteration Assonance Onomatopoeia Symbolism

Imagery Imagery is language that causes the reader/listener to imagine something It is the use of vivid / imaginative or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or

ideas It is used in poetry and in prose and normally involves the senses – sight, sound, touch,

taste, and touch. It generates a set of mental pictures or images of things or events; Eg "He could still hear

her in his imagination"

Some of the language techniques used to create images (imagery) are listed below:

SIMILE

A simile is a comparison using “like” or “as”:

As light as a featherSleeping like a baby

METAPHORA metaphor is a comparison which says one thing is another:

The road is a spearing arrowThat child is a perfect monkey

PERSONIFICATIONPersonification is the presentation of an object or ideas as a person with human feelings or

qualities:

The sea laughed at the frowning cliff as the sun went to sleep

SYMBOLISMA symbol is an object that is used to represent something else…

The rose is a symbol of loveA white dove symbolises peace

ALLITERATIONThe repetition of closely connected words beginning with the same consonant sound

Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran

ASSONANCEThe repetition of the same vowel sound in words closely placed together:

The growling crowd of cowards wanted to howl louder

ONOMATAPOEIAThe use of words whose sounds resemble the sounds they describe:

Snap, crackle, pop!The thundering noise pounded