1. Hyperbole
I’m so hungry I could eat a horse! Does anyone have something I could eat?
Could you eat a horse?

2. Hyperbole
Exaggerate a statement for effect

3. Reasons to use Hyperbole
Funny
Get readers attention
Exaggerate

4. More Examples My backpack weighs a ton.
It took forever to get to the beach.
I slept for 1,000 years.
That dog is so ugly, it fell off the ugly tree and hit every branch.

5. What Is an Image?
An image is a word or phrase that appeals to one of our senses. Images can help us
create a mental picture
hear a sound
feel texture or temperature
taste a sweet, sour, or salty flavor

6. What Is an Image?
Listen to this excerpt of “The Shell” by James Stephens and imagine the scene he describes.
And straightway like a bell Came low and clear The slow, sad murmur of the distant seas,
And in the hush of waters was the sound Of pebbles rolling round, For ever rolling with a hollow sound.
And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters go Swish to and fro Their long, cold tentacles of slimy grey.
—from “The Shell” by James Stephens

7. What Is an Image? [End of Section] Quick Check
Which words appeal to the sense of hearing? sight? touch?
And straightway like a bell Came low and clear The slow, sad murmur of the distant seas,
And in the hush of waters was the sound Of pebbles rolling round, For ever rolling with a hollow sound.
And bubbling sea-weeds as the waters go Swish to and fro Their long, cold tentacles of slimy grey.
—from “The Shell” by James Stephens
[End of Section]

8. Imagery in Poetry
Poets and painters both create vivid images. Painters choose from a palette of colors to create different textures and moods in their works.
Poets also have a palette—a palette of words—from which they choose just the right words to create a sensory experience for the reader.

9. Imagery in Poetry Poets use imagery to
speak to our deepest feelings—joy, sorrow, wonder, love
emphasize certain qualities of the subject
create a mood
Out on the land White Moon shines. Shines and glimmers against gnarled shadows, All silver to slow twisted shadows Falling across the long road that runs from the house.
—from “Baby Face” by Carl Sandburg

10. Imagery in Poetry Imagery is part of a poet’s style
a product of the poet’s own way of seeing the world
a reflection of the time and place in which the poet lives

11. Imagery in Poetry [End of Section] Quick Check
What mood does the poet create through his use of imagery?
Quick Check
The Loon
by Lew Sarett
A lonely lake, a lonely shore,
A lone pine leaning on the moon;
All night the water-beating wings
Of a solitary loon.
With mournful wail from dusk to dawn
He gibbered at the taunting stars,—
A hermit-soul gone raving mad,
And beating at his bars.
How does the imagery affect your emotions? Explain.
[End of Section]

12. Practice
Images can be drawn from all sorts of things we observe in life. For each category, create two images—one pleasant and one unpleasant. Try to include images that appeal to all five senses.
Images
Pleasant
Unpleasant
Animal images
Flower images
Water images
Sky images
Earth images
City images
Country images

13. Review- Descriptive Language
Simile-Comparison using like or as: eyes bright as the sun
Metaphor-Comparison not using like/as: Life is a highway
Onomatopoeia-Word is its sound: Zap, Zing, Thud
Alliteration- repeated beginning sound: Live, Laugh, Love
Personification- inanimate object w/ human characteristics: waving leaves
Hyperbole-Exaggeration: I walked up hill for hours
Imagery- picture with words: Slimy tentacles swished

14. “Sarah Cynthia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out”
How does Silverstein use hyperbole to get the theme across to his readers?
Examples of hyperbole
What is the theme?
How does hyperbole make the message clear?
What other types of language does this poem use? Simile? Metaphor? Onomatopoeia? Alliteration? Personification?