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.