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Final answer:The phrase 'the cereal popped and cracked my bowl' is an example of personification, a type of figurative language that gives inanimate objects human-like characteristics for vivid imagery.Explanation:The figurative language exemplified in the phrase "the cereal popped and cracked my bowl" is a form of personification, where inanimate objects are given characteristics of living things. In this case, the cereal is described as if it had the ability to perform actions typically associated with living creatures, such as 'popping' and 'cracking' the bowl. Personification is a common literary device used to create vivid imagery and engage the reader's senses and emotions. Similarly, in the examples provided, we can see how figurative language enhances the text, whether that be through the creation of eerie imagery in Matthew Oglesby's "A Quiet Procedure" or the playful exploration of language and metaphor in Laura Kasishcke's "Confections". Avoiding clichés and using original figurative language can significantly improve the impact of written work....