Hyperbole
Hyperbole A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. EXTREME EXAGGERATION. Examples: I could sleep for a year. This book weighs a ton. Ask students to take out their Poetry Notes and complete the definition and examples for hyperbole.
Why Use Hyperbole? 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.” Pass out “Hyperbole and Idioms” handout to students. Have them complete the top section as the class discusses and looks at examples.
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.
I was angry. I was so angry I could have punched a hole through the wall.
It rained hard. It rained so hard I thought I was going to drown as walked from the bus into school.
What other examples can you think of?
Activity: On handout, 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.
Share?
What is an idiom? words, phrases, or expressions that are not interpreted logically or literally Ask students to return to their notes and complete the section for idiom.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! What does this mean? Cats and dogs are falling from the sky. It’s raining very hard. It’s hardly raining. The weather is horrible. Are small animals literally falling from the sky?
Skeletons in your closet means: Your closet is full of skeletons. You are hiding something in your closet. You have secrets or something that you don’t want anyone to know. You are not afraid of anything. Does this person literally have piles of bones lying among their shoes?
Common Idioms To break the ice To be the first to say or do something hoping that others will join you To have a chip on your shoulder Describes a person who is angry and defensive or who is always ready to argue or fight Hold your horses Be patient; wait a minute Over the hill Old or too old to do something On cloud nine Very happy or excited Pulling your leg Teasing you Ask students if they know any other common idioms.
Practice - On your handout: Read each sentence and choose the idiom from the box that best fits. Then write a new sentence of your own using that same idiom.