Which term refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the five senses?

The term that refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the five senses is imagery. Imagery is a literary device that creates vivid and evocative pictures in the reader's mind by utilizing descriptive language that engages sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. This sensory appeal enhances the reader's experience and helps them to visualize, feel, or even hear what the writer is depicting.

In contrast, personification involves giving human traits and characteristics to non-human entities, thus animating inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Symbolism refers to the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating one thing is another, thereby conveying deeper meanings without using "like" or "as." These distinctions clarify why imagery is specifically the best term for describing sensory detail in writing.