/ˈɪmɪdʒəri/

im·agery AW

BrE /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/

NAmE /ˈɪmɪdʒəri/

[U]

language that produces pictures in the minds of people reading or listening

poetic imagery

Literature

Being a writer

write/publish literature/poetry/fiction/a book/a story/a poem/a novel/a review/an autobiography

become a writer/novelist/playwright

find/have a publisher/an agent

have a new book out

edit/revise/proofread a book/text/manuscript

dedicate a book/poem to…

Plot, character and atmosphere

construct/create/weave/weave sth into a complex narrative

advance/drive the plot

introduce/present the protagonist/a character

describe/depict/portray a character (as…)/(sb as) a hero/villain

create an exciting/a tense atmosphere

build/heighten the suspense/tension

evoke/capture the pathos of the situation

convey emotion/an idea/an impression/a sense of…

engage the reader

seize/capture/grip the (reader’s) imagination

arouse/elicit emotion/sympathy (in the reader)

lack imagination/emotion/structure/rhythm

Language, style and imagery

use/employ language/imagery/humour/(especially US) humor/an image/a symbol/a metaphor/a device

use/adopt/develop a style/technique

be rich in/be full of symbolism

evoke images of…/a sense of…/a feeling of…

create/achieve an effect

maintain/lighten the tone

introduce/develop an idea/a theme

inspire a novel/a poet/sb’s work/sb’s imagination

Reading and criticism

read an author/sb’s work/fiction/poetry/a text/a poem/a novel/a chapter/a passage

review a book/a novel/sb’s work

give sth/get/have/receive a good/bad review

be hailed (as)/be recognized as a masterpiece

quote a phrase/line/stanza/passage/author

provoke/spark discussion/criticism

study/interpret/understand a text/passage

translate sb’s work/a text/a passage/a novel/a poem

➡  see also metaphor

(formal)

pictures, photographs, etc.

satellite imagery (= for example, photographs of the earth taken from space)