Hyperboles jc-schools.net/dynamic/LA/ppt/Hyperboles.ppt, modified by Rebecca Oberg

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.” Take a look at the following examples of average sentences turned into interesting, hyperbole-filled sentences!

 Getting a shot in my arm stung.  Getting a shot in my arm stung worse than a billion beestings.

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

 The queen’s voice is shrill.  The queen’s voice sounds like a million cats squealing.

 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.

Other words to know:  Understatement: a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than what would be expected  Figure of speech: use of a word that diverges from its normal meaning, or a phrase with a specialized meaning not based on the literal meaning of the words in it such as a metaphor, simile, or personification. Figures of speech often provide emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity.  (this slide’s information from wikipedia.org)