Final answer:
The literary term that refers to the mental pictures created by the author's words and phrases is imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary term that refers to the mental pictures created by the author's words and phrases is imagery. Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the reader's senses, creating a vivid picture in their mind. It involves the use of sensory details and figurative language like similes, metaphors, and personification.
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