Reading Strategy: Visualize

Sensory images are details that help you experience a piece of writing through all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Reading Strategy: Visualize
    How to Use Sensory Images

  • 1. Look for words that tell you how things look, sound, smell, taste, and feel.

    Howard Quigley has been stalked by a jaguar, charged by a black bear, and bitten by parasites.

  • 2. Visualize the scene.

    I see: a man followed closely by a big cat, then with a scary black bear running at him.

    I hear: the bear growling as it charges.

    I smell: woods and green plants.

    I feel: the sting of the parasites’ bites.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student used sensory images.

Look Into the Text: First Meeting

Shivers rolled down Quigley’s spine as Olga bellowed a fierce roar. He wasn’t sure what the angry cat would do next. Would she stand still? Would she run off? Or would she pounce?

The biologist remained calm as he carefully aimed his tranquilizer gun at the tiger. Then he squeezed the trigger and a dart soared through the air toward the cat.

“If I don’t see details for all five senses, I use my own experiences.”

My Responses to the Text

I see a man trying to stay calm.

I hear a loud roar from the cat.

I see the cat’s sharp teeth and big claws.

Using my experiences, I smell the outdoors. I feel a cat’s fur.

Practice Together

Reread the passage. Then follow the steps in the How-To box to use sensory images and visualize the scene.