English language question

**TwoSeven** · 14th December 2005, 21:45

Whats the word for the technique where you write a sentence that describes a visual image in someones mind (not an actual picture).

I thought it was illiteration, but seems there is no such word. But I am sure it was a technique used in poetry.

For example.
The bee buzzily wends its way over the lush green medow while the warm sun warms the chill damp air.

The idea is that you read the phrase and at the same time visualise a bee flying in a field with the sun shining and cool air etc. There is a word for it, but I cant remember...

**crashe** · 14th December 2005, 21:50

Where is Mr Hitcher?????

He is the one to answer your questions...

**Sniper** · 14th December 2005, 22:21

Talking in imagery. One of the twelve literary tools.

(Im not just a pretty face)

**Virago** · 14th December 2005, 22:27

Originally Posted by TwoSeven

Whats the word for the technique where you write a sentence that describes a visual image in someones mind (not an actual picture).

I thought it was illiteration......

I think the word you're stuck on is alliteration, but it has a different meaning - the repetition of the same sound in a single phrase. e.g. The Bear went up the stair.

With regard to the word you're looking for, we're working hard on it....

**Waylander** · 14th December 2005, 22:31

Originally Posted by Virago

I think the word you're stuck on is alliteration, but it has a different meaning - the repetition of the same sound in a single phrase. e.g. The Bear went up the stair.

With regard to the word you're looking for, we're working hard on it....

I think it needs to be used more than a few times though (not sure been a while since I last not paid attention in school) But something more like "The Bear went up the stair to fetch a pear and hare. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain. And what not.

No doubt Hitcher will know. Now where has our dear site grammarian tottled off to?

**Virago** · 14th December 2005, 22:35

Originally Posted by Waylander

........No doubt Hitcher will know. Now where has our dear site grammarian tottled off to?

I always thought a gramerarian was someone with a serious granny fetish? Come on, own up Hitcher.....

**Waylander** · 14th December 2005, 22:43

Nah that's a granyarian.

**mstriumph** · 15th December 2005, 01:29

i think what you are talking about is 'onomatapoeia' ............ where the sound of the word mimics what it describes?

eg 'buzz' actually sounds like the noise a bee makes ....... 'whoosh' sounds like something moving swiftly by ......... 'clatter' sounds like something falling onto a hard surface?

marion

**Korea** · 15th December 2005, 02:07

Originally Posted by Virago

I think the word you're stuck on is alliteration, but it has a different meaning - the repetition of the same sound in a single phrase. e.g. The Bear went up the stair.

Yes, but as far as I know alliteration is the repetition of the same letter sound; usually a consonant.
Eg. "The lovely long legged leopard lounged in the lane".
Otherwise it's just a rhyme, init?

As to the original Q.: Yes, it's "Imagery"
(see also "Similie" Eg. "The lovely long legged leopard lounged LIKE a lousy no good piece of *%#@#$.")

My question: There seems to be a disproportionate number of occurences where 'Lose' (Verb: to misplace, to evade, be defeated, to be bereaved of...) is often spelt 'Loose' (Adjective: unfastened, free, not tight (see also 'Loose Chick')).:slap:
I would pass it off as a simple blunder but the alarming regularity of this heinous error makes me wonder if I'm missing something? Is this new Kiwi slang?

...not that I mind, mind you. Keep speeelin howeva u pls.

edit: ...and try not to LOSE the front end.

**Posh Tourer :P** · 15th December 2005, 06:44

It is probably called imagery. Or in English classes, 'descriptive writing' or 'creative writing' depending on your school. Alliteration is about all the words starting with the same letter. And there is also consonance and assonance for consonant and vowel repetition....

Oh and this loose/lose thing? Its recent, but I think kinda inevitable. Happens all over the world, when someone mis-hears the correct term. Last night I heard my dome tent described as a 'dorm tent'... :spudwhat:

**Lou Girardin** · 15th December 2005, 07:28

Originally Posted by Korea

Yes,

My question: There seems to be a disproportionate number of occurences where 'Lose' (Verb: to misplace, to evade, be defeated, to be bereaved of...) is often spelt 'Loose' (Adjective: unfastened, free, not tight (see also 'Loose Chick')).:slap:
I would pass it off as a simple blunder but the alarming regularity of this heinous error makes me wonder if I'm missing something? Is this new Kiwi slang?

It's just ignorance.

**Sniper** · 15th December 2005, 07:48

Like I said before its IMAGERY

**hXc** · 15th December 2005, 09:05

Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of words.
Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound within words.
Onomatopoeia is the use of words to imitate sounds.

But imagery is a piece of writing or something where the reader can visually imagine the scene