Narrative Essay:Adding Idioms and Sensory

Language

English 9

Quick Check

◼ What is an idiom?– a group of words established by usage as having a

meaning not deducible from those of the individual words

◼ Why do we use idioms?– They give a different visual perspective to what we

want to say

◼ What is sensory language?– Sensory language is using words that infer a use of

one or more of your senses (hearing, sight, taste, touch, smell)

◼ Why do we use sensory language?– Sensory language creates imagery, which helps to

paint pictures in the mind.

Idioms

◼ Idioms are a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words

◼ Examples:

– add fuel to the fire (make a bad situation worse)

– through the grapevine (by rumour)

– drop the ball (make a blunder/mistake)

– on the fence (undecided/neutral)

– step on it (hurry)

Sensory Language

Sensory language is using words that infer a use of one or more of your senses (hearing, sight, taste, touch, smell)—Creates Imagery (pictures in the mind)

Hearing: Though he tried to sound like a sparrow, Juan’s call made him sound like a dying chicken.

Sight: The lightning flashed, only momentarily, but it was enough for me to see the path back to my car.

Taste: Iron, that is what Mike thought of as the blood dripped into his mouth.

Touch: In the dark, Paul reached out to steady himself, only to feel, not a wall, but the bare skin of his brother’s chest—who was standing in the doorway.

Smell: Entering the room, the aroma of rotten eggs let me know that I found the source of the gas leak.