Ministry of higher education, science and innovations termiz state university

CHAPTER II. IMAGERY AS A STYLISTIC CATEGORY
2.1. Imagery in literature: tools for imagination
Imagery is one of the most important techniques in fiction writing. It is how the author creates a mental image for the reader using descriptive language. This creates more engaging writing readers can’t put down. Imagery creates the mood or setting for the story. It’s important to understand imagery to build your writing skills. Learn how to use imagery in fiction and what you need to know about making the most of this technique. 
What is imagery in literature?
Imagery is a lot like setting up a stage for a play. A writer sends his reader a series of cues that direct the reader’s attention to what story events mean. The cues are important because they act as motivation for the plot events. They also create an effect on the reading experience. 
The images trigger an emotional reaction in the reader. Imagery does not only describe what something looks like or what a character feels. It also suggests and creates the context for understanding the rest of the story. For example, describing a dark and stormy afternoon sets the backdrop of conflict for any action that you have in your story. A simple conversation between two parents about their children on a stormy day seems to foreshadow trouble ahead. If the same conversation took place on a sunny day with freshly cut grass, the reader comes away with a totally different understanding. How is imagery used in literature?
Imagery conveys an image that the reader can see and hear and feel. The portrayal of a character, place, or thing is so vivid that readers can not only see it but also almost smell it. How much detail determines what type of imagery you use in your writing. A few details create a specific image (a rose); many details paint a picture (a field of roses). The more details you include, the more effective the image becomes/
How to create imagery
Creating sensory imagery comes naturally to some authors and is extremely difficult for others. Take a look at some of your favorite books or poems and see how the author describes scenes or characters. If it’s easy to imagine what they’re describing, that author has mastered imagery. See if you can pick out examples of all seven types of imagery used in literature! The more concrete details you use, the easier it is for readers to create a vivid mental picture of what you wrote about.
Start by picking a scene or character and describing it in detail. You should include as many concrete details as possible, and avoid using general statements. For example, don’t say that a couple was sitting on the couch watching TV; instead, describe the scene. What is the couch made of? What color is it? How close do the people sit next to each other? Don’t say that a horse is brown; instead, describe the tail or mane of the horse. ⁶
A good description should include as many details as possible to give the reader a vivid image of what’s happening. Be descriptive. It’s too easy to skip over these details by relying on cliches and short common phrases to get across the meaning. A cliche is a phrase used so often that it stops being effective in writing and instead just blends into the background of the story. 
For example, a common cliche is “happily ever after.” While a popular way to end a story, it doesn’t really give the reader an idea of what happened. Try to show the reader what happily ever after looks like:
Do the characters get married?
Do they bake warm cookies in their gorgeous home?
Do they spend the rest of their lives together?
Do their families support their relationship?
Do they get a dog?
There are ways to convey happily ever after through imagery. You don’t need to actually use the words “happily ever after” to accomplish this.
Instead of relying on tired cliches, use concrete detail to create a vivid image of the scene. Be as detailed as possible to capture every aspect, smell, and feeling. You may want to consider using all seven types of imagery in your descriptions.
Using senses encourages readers to engage with what you write about, making it more personal and memorable for them. Remember, the more vivid the image you create, the easier it is for readers to see your scenes. The more descriptive you are in your writing, the better your writing tends to be.
Effects of imagery in literature
Imagery can have a big effect on your story. It can be used to describe characters, settings, and themes. Imagery can also be used to create a mood in your scenes and keep readers engaged. Fiction must keep its readers engaged and captivated if it is to be successful. Without this, readers will get bored and stop reading.
Literal vs. figurative imagery
Literal imagery describes something as it is. It’s word for word since there are no metaphors or similes used in the description. Figurative imagery, on the other hand, uses metaphors and similes to describe things. Instead of saying that someone is afraid, you could describe them as “the wind whistled past her ears like a low growl.” Obviously, the wind did not literally growl. In both cases, you must be descriptive. 
Characteristics of effective imagery in literature
Good literature often shares certain qualities when it comes to imagery. This is part of what makes it effective. Effective imagery is:

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  Specific
  
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  Tangible
  
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  Descriptive
  
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  Capable of adding more information to the story