Poetic Youth

Lesson Plan: Using Imagery in Writing

Lead Facilitator: Janel
Hoover High School Writing Club 11/13/14
Grade Level: 9-12 (ages 13-18)
Lesson Objectives
Discuss the use of imagery by authors in screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students will
participate in a group writing activity that will help them strengthen their image writing skills followed by a
freewriting activity where they are encouraged to apply the skill, especially in a revision at the end. Students will learn
the value of using detailed images to help their reader imagine/understand what they are describing and to set a
mood/tone in their writing (tied to previous genre and metaphor/simile lessons).

Supplies Needed
Notebook paper, pens, pencils, Image Writing Activity sheet, printed script scene descriptions and The Moon and the
Yew Tree poem examples sheet.

Length of Session: 60 minutes

Optimal Number of Facilitators: 4 (Leading Facilitator: Janel)
Opening
Lead facilitator will introduce topic of use of images/imagery/descriptive language in writing with script and
poetry examples. Facilitators will pass out examples sheet.
Images/Imagery/Descriptive Language (5 minutes)
Writers often use descriptive language to help their readers develop clear mental images.
Descriptive images may appeal to any/several of the senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound).
What makes a strong image? (Striking, descriptive - adjectives, interesting, specific, something we can
imagine/see - its like we are invited to see it).
Examples of Imagery in Writing (5-10 minutes)
Screenwriting - Writers give specific images when setting up the scene/characters. The characters may use
descriptive images when telling a story.
Fiction - Descriptions of characters, places, actions.
Poetry - Often use figurative language (language that isnt literal) like similes and metaphors to create
images that make us think or give us a feeling (Sylvia Plath, The Moon and the Yew Tree)
Non-fiction - Autobiographies - Describe what really happened from your eyes.

Warm-Up/Image Writing Activity (20 minutes)

Facilitators will pass out Image Writing Activity sheet.
Images:
The girl walking down the street.
The bird flying in the sky.
The fish swimming in the water.
The kid playing at school.

(Students make one of their own.)

1.

2.
3.
4.

5.

Lead facilitator prompts students to discuss ways they can elaborate on the simple images (ex. adjectives,
adverbs, how old is the girl, what does she look like, how is she walking, what does the street look like,
where is she going)
Being as descriptive as possible, the students and facilitators will write and elaborate what each phrase
makes them think of on the Image Writing Activity sheet.
Next, students and facilitators will be prompted to write the most bizarre version of the scenes they can
imagine.
Tips: 1. Students can consider the questions Who/What/How/When/Where/Why to help them elaborate. 2.
2. Students are encouraged to use metaphors and/or similes if theyd like to. Facilitators will help any
students who need encouragement or have questions.
After students/facilitators have an opportunity to share their images, lead facilitator points out how
important descriptors can be (noting the differences in everyones images) and how they can be used to set
a mood/tone (ex. genre).

Freewrite Opportunity
Freewrite (10 minutes)
Students are encouraged to write using images. After writing, students will edit images in their freewrite
piece for clarity and detail. They then have the opportunity to share their freewrite. Facilitators can circulate and help
students and/or write as well.
Editing (10 minutes)
To help the students edit their freewrite, the lead facilitator will present the following questions for them to
consider:
Which images are important to describe in more detail (which are unique)?
How do you see the image? Can you help the reader see it like you do?
What does it smell like/taste like/look like/sound like/feel like?
What do you want to reader to experience/feel when you present the image and does it convey that?

Closing/Administration (5 minutes)
Near the end of the session, facilitators will collect student work for the chap book and remind students of
and encourage them to attend the December 5th reading.