Hyperboles

Definition A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect, as in I could sleep for a year or This book weighs a ton.

Introduction Author’s use colorful exaggerations to add interest to a story. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” is much more interesting than “I’m hungry.”

Getting a shot in my arm stung. Getting a shot in my arm stung like a bee.

These books are heavy. These books are heavy as lead.

The queen’s dress is red. The queen’s dress is red as a cardinal.

I was angry. I was angry as an old wet hen.

It rained hard. It rained cats and dogs.

Activity: Rewrite these sentences with a more interesting hyperbole. The music was loud. The garden is pretty. The tired man snored loudly. The flowers grew quickly. I ate so much lunch my tummy is full.