What is imagery and what effects can be made in any given text?

Imagery can be:

  • Metaphor
  • Similes
  • Personification
  • Figurative language

Writer's use imagery to create dramatic effect, which is significant in making a text believable, interesting and relatable to a particular theme. Metaphors and similes are important as they help the reader build up an understanding of a character/place/concept in a creative way, rather than offering flat statements that prevent individual interpretation. Personification can be effective as human qualities are given to a non-human entity; this gives the object a personality and is therefore easier/more creative for the reader to view this object in a new way. Figurative language essentially creates an image through words and forces the object to represent something symbolic or important, giving a text greater meaning and creating different themes that aren't obvious upon first inspection.

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a Bildungsroman?


Discuss feminism in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.


How am I supposed to remember quotations for unseen texts?


What is the difference between form and content and how do they relate to one another?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences