The document defines and provides examples of four figurative language devices: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. It explains that a simile compares two unlike things using like, as, or than, a metaphor compares without those words, personification gives human traits to non-humans, and hyperbole exaggerates for effect. Examples are provided for each device.

1. SIMILE
compares* two unlike things using the words like, as, or than
ex. My locker smells like a stinky shoe.
ex. My aunt is as big as a barn.
ex. That boy is taller than a tree.
* compare means to show how two things are alike

2. SIMILE
My locker smells like a stinky shoe.
We know it is a simile because we are
1) comparing two things (locker and stinky shoe)
2) We are using the word like

3. SIMILE
My aunt is as big as like a barn.
We know it is a simile because we are
1) comparing two things (aunt and barn)
2) We are using the word as

4. SIMILE
That boy is taller than a tree.
We know it is a simile because we are
1) comparing two things (boy and tree)
2) We are using the word than

5. NOW YOU TRY IT.
1. What two things are being compared?
2. What is the simile signal word?
The snow is like a blanket covering the earth.
He is as blind as a bat.
The old man is tougher than nails.

6. METAPHOR
• compares* two nouns and DOES NOT use
the words like, as, or than
ex. The boy’s stomach was a bottomless pit.
ex. Her mind is a sponge that soaks up
knowledge.
ex. The homework was a breeze.

7. METAPHOR
The boy’s stomach was a bottomless pit.
We know it is a metaphor because we are
1) comparing two things (locker and stinky shoe)
2) We are NOT using the word like, as, or than.

8. METAPHOR
Her mind is a sponge that soaks up
knowledge.
We know it is a metaphor because we are
1) comparing two things (locker and stinky shoe)
2) We are NOT using the word like, as, or than.

9. METAPHOR
The homework was a breeze.
We know it is a metaphor because we are
1) comparing two things (locker and stinky shoe)
2) We are NOT using the word like, as, or than.

10. PERSONIFICATION
Gives human-like characteristics to non human
things.
ex. My computer hates me.
ex. The camera loves her.
ex. The wind howled outside my window.
ex. The tree danced in the breeze.

11. PERSONIFICATION
person-like
ex. My computer hates me.
Note: computers don’t have feelings - people do.

12. PERSONIFICATION
person-like
ex. The camera loves her.
Note: cameras don’t have feelings - people do.

13. PERSONIFICATION
person-like
Ex. The wind howled outside my
window.
Note: the wind doesn’t have a voice - people do.

14. PERSONIFICATION
person-like
ex. The tree danced in the breeze.
Note: the tree cannot dance - people dance.

15. HYPERBOLE
If I told you once, I’ve told you a million
times . . .
I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!
If I can’t get that new game on Friday, I
think I will die!

16. HYPERBOLE
If I told you once, I’ve told you a million
times . . .
She probably told you many, many times, but not a
million times. That is an exaggeration.

17. HYPERBOLE
I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!
You are probably really hungry and can eat a lot, but
you can’t eat an entire horse. That is an
exaggeration.

18. HYPERBOLE
If I can’t get that new game on Friday, I
think I will die!
You probably will be really disappointed if you don’t
get the game, but you will not drop dead. That is an
exaggeration.