The definition of tactile imagery

Tactile imagery is a type of imagery that appeals to the reader’s sense of touch. You have probably interacted with this unique literary tool in one of your reading endeavors. Do you remember reading a favorite scene and you developed goosebumps? (Unless you were reading outside late in the night). Do you remember how a certain scene made you cringe? Did you know that it was you responding to the writer’s use of tactile imagery? Tactile imagery is a wonderful tool that a writer can use to exploit and manipulate his or her reader’s sense of touch, in a way that makes his or her work interesting and fun.

The importance of tactile imagery

Tactile imagery allows the writer to express their character’s physical sensations, temperature, textures, among many more things. This way the reader not only reads the story but he or she connects with the writer’s characters. This is usually very helpful in making the story perceivable to the reader. The reader will remember the story for decades to come if the connection made by the writer is substantial enough. Therefore tactile imagery also helps in making a writer’s work memorable.

Examples of words that evoke the sense of touch

Sticky

Cushioned

Blunt

Cottony

Brittle

Thick

Dense

Velvety

Muscular

Delicate

Flimsy

Serrated

Metallic

Woolly

Spongey

Mushy

Abrasive

Corrosive

Sharp

Rough

Lukewarm

Hot

Cold

Dry

Slippery

Blistered

Crocheted

Hairy

Pointed

Rubbery

Greasy

Gravelly

Spiked

Crispy

Thin

Wrinkled

Sandy

Crunchy

Itchy

Examples of the use of tactile imagery in sentences

By the time his wife reached him with the rescue team, Jimmy had stayed out on the snowy cliff for more than three hours. He was grateful for the butter-soft scarf and the heavy warm coat she put on his freezing body.

I slipped and went tumbling down the slope of the hill; the loose rocks raced alongside me, pricking my hands and face like a thousand sharp tiny knives.

It seemed like the workshop had not been in use for a very long time. The old man picked up the saw that was lying on the floor. The blade was ice cold, the rough edges of the wooden handle against his firm grip hurt his hand.

The pilot safely landed on the airstrip; the tires of the plane crunched on the gravel, as his seat belt held him firm in his seat along the bumpy runway.

George was not sure for how long he had been sleeping on the leather couch in his backyard. It was evening and the couch had grown cold against his bare back. As he rose, his slippery skin stuck to the couch.

I could not leave my dog behind. I ruffled his floppy ears and carried him in my arms. His cotton-soft fur brushed my neck as I headed home.

How to use tactile imagery

The big secret behind the effective use of tactile imagery is to appeal to the reader’s sense of touch. Use words that trigger the reader to feel and experience the sense of touch.

Sources

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/tactile+imagery
https://examples.yourdictionary.com/tactile-imagery-examples.html
https://oakwords.com/tactile-imagery-literary-examples