Literal vs. Figurative Language 

Hyperbole

- extreme exaggeration (stretching the truth)

examples:    I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!

                I have told you a million times not to lie!

                I will die if he asks me to the dance!

Onomatopoeia 

-a word or grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing

example: As I dropped the hot pan, it hit the floor with a SPLAT!

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/omomatopoea.html

Idioms

http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/idiomsandcliches/

Imagine a new student joins our classroom.  She's in the process of learning English, and she doesn't always understand certain words or phrases we may use.  What might she think if I said, "Don't worry, class; your math homework tonight is going to be a piece of cake!"  What might she think if another student responded, "It might be easy, but Miss Fish gives so much homework, I'm in over my head!"

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be determined by the literal definition of the phrase itself, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use.

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/idioms/

http://www.goenglish.com/Idioms.asp

Personification

-giving human qualities to animals or objects

example: The sun smiled down warmly at me as I lay on the hot sand.

Alliteration

-the repetition of a sound at the beginnings of words

example: She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

Simile

-a comparison using the words "like" or "as"

example: The blanket was as warm and cuddly as a newborn kitten.

Metaphor

-a comparison NOT using the words "like" or "as"

example: Her smile was a bright ray of sunshine on Monday morning.

Simile and Metaphor Smart Notebook Lesson

http://www.kidsonthenet.com/dragonsville/metaphor.htm 

Want a little practice identifying the above figures of speech?  Fling the Teacher!!! http://www.gamequarium.com/figurativelanguage.html