Imagery
This strategy uses descriptive language that appeals to the five senses.
What is imagery?
When an object represents a larger idea beyond its literal meaning, this is called _____.
What is symbolism?
The speaker or author’s attitude toward a subject is called this.
What is tone?
Who wrote Stoop-Sitting?
Who is Elizabeth Acevedo?
In CERC, the first C stands for this part of the response, where you directly answer the question.
What is the claim?
“The cold wind brushed against my face.” Which sense is being used?
What is touch?
A light appearing during a difficult moment could symbolize this positive idea.
What is hope?
The feeling a text creates in the reader is called this.
What is mood?
The poem includes Spanish words, bachata music, and dominoes. What do these details help show about the neighborhood?
They show the neighborhood’s Hispanic/Latino culture and community.
What information should a FAT(T) sentence introduce before the analysis begins?
The focus, author, title, and text/text type.
Why might a poet describe sounds, smells, sights, or feelings instead of simply telling the reader what a place is like?
To help the reader experience and picture the setting.
A student writes, “The orange is a symbol.” What important information is missing from the student’s analysis?
What the orange represents.
A speaker carefully watches people, sounds, and activities happening around a neighborhood. Which tone word best describes the speaker?
What is observant?
In This Body, the speaker describes herself as “perfect and imperfect.” What does this show about how she sees herself?
She accepts that she has different qualities and sees all of them as part of who she is.
A student writes, “For example, the poet writes, ‘_____.’” Which part of CERC is the student providing?
What is evidence?
A poet describes a playground using “faded swings” and “empty basketball courts.” What mood might this imagery help create?
A lonely, sad, or nostalgic mood.
Why should a reader explain why a symbol matters instead of only identifying what it represents?
Because the symbol helps communicate the poem’s overall message.
A speaker remembers a childhood place with warmth and affection. Which tone word would best describe the speaker’s attitude?
What is nostalgic?
Acevedo describes music, conversations, children playing, and people gathering outside. How do these details help show the speaker’s connection to her community?
They show that the speaker knows her neighborhood well and feels connected to the people, culture, and everyday life around her.
A student provides a quotation but never explains how the quotation supports the claim. Which part of CERC needs improvement?
What is reasoning?
How can imagery help communicate the overall message of a poem?
Imagery creates feelings and ideas that help the reader understand the poem’s larger message.
An object appears several times during important moments in a poem. What should you examine to determine its symbolic meaning?
How the object is described, when it appears, what happens around it, and what larger idea it may represent.
A student claims that a poem has a nostalgic tone. What should the student use to prove the claim?
Specific word choice, imagery, symbolismor details that show the speaker remembering the past with emotion or affection.
In This Body, the speaker describes her body, scars, family features, and actions before saying her body is a “masterpiece.” What overall message do these details help communicate?
The poem shows that all parts of a person—their body, experiences, and family—are valuable and help make up their identity.
A student has a FAT(T) sentence, claim, and evidence but writes only, “This proves my answer.”
What should the student add to create a stronger CERC response?
Reasoning that explains how the evidence supports the claim and a conclusion that explains why the author’s choice matters to the overall message.