Final answer:
The description appealing to the reader's sense of touch is option A, which describes the feel of polished floorboards. Sensory imagery enhances reader engagement by activating their senses, with this example specifically using tactile imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which description appeals to a reader’s sense of touch specifically, let's examine the examples provided. Sensory imagery in narrative engages the reader more fully by appealing to their senses, helping to create a vivid, immersive experience. Imagery can cover all the senses, including visual (sight), auditory (sound), olfactory (smell), tactile (touch), and gustatory (taste). The understanding of how different descriptive passages trigger the senses is key to recognizing appealing imagery.
The correct answer is A. "The floorboards had been polished smooth and now felt slick and cool like marble." This sentence includes descriptive terms such as 'polished smooth,' 'slick,' and 'cool like marble' that directly engage the sense of touch. It allows the reader to imagine the sensation of walking on such a surface.
By contrast, option B utilizes auditory imagery ('barked ferociously'), and option C involves visual imagery ('makeup looked smudged and smeared'). Neither of these appeal to the tactile sense.
Using vivid and detailed sensory descriptions not only paints a more immersive picture for readers but also enhances their emotional connection to the story. Crafting immersive description utilizing sensory imagery can turn a simple narrative into a captivating experience, drawing readers into the world created by the author.