What do we call expressive words in literature that appeal to the senses?

Imagery refers to the use of descriptive and expressive language that creates vivid mental pictures and appeals to the senses, such as sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. When authors use imagery, they help readers to experience the scene more deeply by providing sensory details that bring the text to life. For example, instead of simply stating that a garden is beautiful, a writer might describe the vibrant colors of the flowers, the sweet fragrance in the air, and the soft buzzing of bees, thereby immersing the reader in that scene.

In contrast, symbolism involves using symbols to represent larger concepts or ideas rather than focusing on sensory details. Metaphors are figures of speech that make direct comparisons between two unrelated things, enhancing understanding or emotional response but not necessarily evoking sensory experiences. Allegory is a narrative technique in which characters or events symbolize broader moral or political meanings, rather than appealing directly to sensory perceptions.

Thus, imagery is the term that specifically denotes expressive language that engages the senses, making it the correct answer.