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TASKSHEET: Everyday imagery

Poetry is all around us. Did you know that there are snippets of poetry and imagery in grafitti, place names and adverts; or that we use figures of speech in our everyday speech? We use puns, metaphors, similes, symbolism, rhyme and rhythm, allusions, and many other forms of visual and sound imagery in everyday situations.

Instruction: Below are examples of everyday imagery. With a partner, read through the examples and then answer the questions that follow.

AEveryday utterances

  • “She is like a bull in a china shop!”
  • “He is an absolute angel for helping me.”
  • “Our biggest enemy is inflation.”
  • “Mandela is the father of the nation.”
  • “South Africa – the rainbow nation.”
  • “I was educated in the University of Life.”

BImagery in advertisements

  • Tropicana orange juice: “Your daily ray of sunshine”
  • Budweiser beer: “The king of beers”
  • Coca Cola: “Open Happiness”
  • Coca Cola: “Life tastes good”
  • McDonald’s: “Mac your day”
  • McDonald’s: “Things that make you go MMMMM”
  • Skittles Sweets: “Taste the rainbow”
  • Nando’s chicken: “I love Elvis Breastly”
  • Nando’s chicken: “Gaga, your meat dress should have been grilled”
  • Nando’s chicken: “Grills like a butterfly, stings like a bee”

CCar names

  • Ford Mustang
  • Toyota Comfort
  • Jaguar
  • Honda Jazz
  • Porsche Cayenne
  • Corvette Stingray
  • Dodge Viper
  • Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
  • Rolls Royce Phantom
  • Smart Car
  • Land Rover Discovery

DDescriptions of places

  • Paris: “the city of lights”
  • Johannesburg: “the city of gold” (“Egoli”)
  • Cape Town: “the mother city”
  • Japan: “the land of the rising sun”
  • Sweden: “the land of the midnight sun”

Questions

1Work in pairs. Select two examples from number 1 (Everyday utterances) and two from number 2 (Imagery in advertisements).

1.1Discuss each example you selected, using the IDE method.

1.2Individually, write down your answers.(4 × 3) [12]

Example:

“Budweiser: “The king of beers”.

Identify: This is a metaphor.(1)

Describe: The beer is being compared indirectly to a king. (1)

Explain: The metaphor suggests Budweiser beer is superior  to other brands as it

has status – it is king – while other beer brands are ordinary.(1)[3]

2Work in pairs. Select two examples from number 3 (Car names) that particularly appeal to you. For each example:

2.1.1identify the image and describe what is being compared.(2)

2.1.2explain what the image says about the brand. (1)

2.2Create your own car name. Explain your choice and/or message.(2)[5]

[8]

3Work on your own. Look at number 4 (Descriptions of places).

3.1Choose a city, anywhere in the world, and make up an evocative description of that city. For example, “Cairo: the city of…” (1)

3.2 Identify the imagery you used, describe what comparison you are making, and explain the message you want to convey. (3) [4]

Total Marks: 25

Summary of the I.D.E method:

Identify: name the figure of speech, or sound device, e.g. a metaphor, alliteration.

Describe: say what is being compared to what, or what sound is being repeated or created.

Explain: say why the poet has used this figure of speech or sound device – what does it suggest?

© Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd 2013. From Oxford Practical Teaching English Literature: How to teach Grades 8–12. You may modify, print and photocopy this document solely for use in your classes.