Difference Between Imagery & Figurative Language

Imagery and figurative language are commonly used in fiction and poetry.

Imagery and figurative language are two literary elements most commonly employed in poetry and fiction. Understanding the difference between these elements is key in writing and reading literature.

Imagery Basics

Imagery is the use of words to appeal to one of the five senses: touch, sight, sound, hearing and taste. An author uses imagery to give readers an immediate sense of what is being described in the story or poem.

Imagery Examples

The following sentence is an example of imagery that evokes the senses of sight, touch and smell: "The mustard-yellow shirt was still warm from the dryer and smelled of vanilla-scented detergent."

Figurative Language Basics

Figurative language is the use of words to describe something without being literal. Several types of figurative language exist, including metaphor, simile and hyperbole.

Figurative Language Examples

The following phrases are examples of figurative language: "He ran like the wind" is a simile, while "the sun kissed my cheek" is personification.

Uses in Literature

Both imagery and figurative language are used in literature to heighten the reader's experience. While imagery is focused on giving the readers an idea of how a scene looks or sounds, figurative language is an excellent way to showcase a character's personality or the style of storytelling that is being used.

References

• Roane State Community College: The Elements of Literature
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Literary Terms