Hyperbole

What is Hyperbole 

An exaggeration of ideas for emphasis or effect of an overgenerous statement for amusement is called Hyperbole. Hyperbole has amusing effects created by an overstatement to induce strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken accurately. In short, Hyperbole's are exaggerations to create highlighting or effect. Hyperbole's can be used to better express an author’s intentions and meaning when used in a proper context. Often, Hyperbole is identified by trigger words such as "most," "best," or "worst."

 Examples of hyperbole are:

No	Hyperbole example
1	If I can’t get a Smartphone, I will die.
2	We are poor and don’t have two cents to rub together.
3	This car goes faster than the speed of light.
4	My mom is going to kill me.
5	My birthday will never come.
6	He knows everything about math.
7	I had a ton of chores to do.
8	I have told you a million times not to do that.
9	Going to Disneyland is the best idea ever.
10	That was the easiest test in the world.
11	You are walking slower than a snail.
12	Her brain is the size of a pea.
13	Her smile was a mile wide.
14	This is so boring, just kill me now!
15	I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
16	I ate so much at Thanksgiving, I must weigh more than a whale.
17	He was skinny enough to jump through a keyhole.
18	My grandmother is as old as the hills.
19	She is as heavy as an elephant!
20	I am dying of shame.

 

Functions of Hyperbole

 

Hyperbole, like other figures of speech, is used to connect ideas, thoughts, emotions, and images in a more effectual way than through plain language. Hyperbole's can often be combined successfully with similes and metaphors to surge their effectiveness, although common phrases must not be repeatedly used to avoid being in a cliche.

• Information, emotion, or statements are exaggerated intentionally for an assured effect.
• The exaggeration serves to accentuate a specific point.
• In prose, hyperbole is used for the purpose of importance or for humor.
• To describe an action that is significant in some way.
• Hyperbole can be used in descriptions to highlight some prominent features of a character.
• To place emphasis on a particular act, feeling, or feature and not taken literally.
• Homer’s epic poems “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” are prime examples of the use of hyperbole in poetry.

References

http://literarydevices.net/hyperbole/

http://english.tutorvista.com/literary-response/hyperbole.html

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-hyperbole-for-kids.html