Final answer:
Sensory details refer to descriptions that appeal to the senses and are fundamental to creating vivid descriptive imagery in literature. Such details effectively immerse readers in the story by engaging sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
Step-by-step explanation:
Words and phrases that describe how things look, feel, sound, taste, or smell are called sensory details. In the context of literature, these details are crucial components of descriptive imagery, a technique writers use to create vivid pictures in the minds of their readers. This can be achieved using language that appeals to any of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. For instance, one might describe a lemon by mentioning its bright yellow color (visual), its sour taste that tingles on the tongue (gustatory), the zesty aroma that arises when its peel is grated (olfactory), the squeaky sound it makes when being squeezed (auditory), and the rough texture of its skin (tactile).
Descriptive imagery is not confined to lengthy narratives; it can arise from a single word or a short phrase that evokes sensory experiences. For example, stating 'the iciness of a snowflake' instantaneously triggers sensations of cold and the unique, delicate structure associated with snow. When writers use such language, they immerse readers in the narrative by activating their senses, enabling a deeper connection to the story and its environment.