Imagery and sound in poetry
A poem does its work through pictures and sound. Notice both, then explain what they make the reader feel.
Part of your national curriculum
- Reading: Read critically, knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, presents meaning
- Grammar and vocabulary: Study the effectiveness and impact of the grammatical features of the texts they read
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Analyse how writers use language for effect
Key learning points
- • Imagery
- • Sound
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 12 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 12
Watch first
Imagery and sound in poetry
Hear how imagery, sound and sentence rhythm guide a reader through a poem.
In a nutshell
Analyse how writers use language for effect
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 12
Learn
Imagery
Metaphor, simile and personification build pictures. Ask what is being compared to what, and what that comparison suggests beyond the surface.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 12
Learn
Sound
Alliteration, assonance, sibilance and rhythm shape how a line moves. Harsh consonants push; soft ones soothe.
Reset break
Part 4 of 12
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 5 of 12
Quick check
Part 6 of 12
Quick check
Part 7 of 12
Reset break
Part 8 of 12
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 9 of 12
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 10 of 12
Game · Recall cards
'Mob' rather than 'crowd' suggests the writer thinks the group is…
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 11 of 12
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Imagery and sound in poetry
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. 'Mob' rather than 'crowd' suggests the writer thinks the group is…
2. The first question to ask of any source is…
3. A quotation in an analysis should be…
4. The contrast between grey windows and a clean parlour mainly conveys:
Lesson round-up
Part 12 of 12
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Games
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Points this lesson
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Best run
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 12 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Read critically, knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organisational features, presents meaning
- Not looked at yet
Study the effectiveness and impact of the grammatical features of the texts they read