Which Sentence Contains the Best Example of Hyperbole

Hyperbole Definition

At that place is exaggeration, then there is
exaggeration. That farthermost kind of exaggeration in speech is the literary device known as hyperbole.

Take this argument for case:

I’m so hungry, I could consume a horse.

In truth, yous wouldn’t be able to eat a whole horse. Just you lot use the phrase to testify people yous’re extremely hungry.

Hyperbole is used in literature, rhetoric and everyday speech. You wouldn’t want to use it in nonfiction works, similar reports or inquiry papers. Still, it’s perfect for artistic writing and communication, specially when y’all desire to add color to a grapheme or humor to a story.

Hyperbole vs. Metaphor and Simile

Hyperboles are not comparisons, similar similes and metaphors, but they are extravagant and even ridiculous overstatements not meant to be taken literally. In literature, hyperbole will ofttimes be used to show contrast or grab the reader’due south attention.

How to Utilise Hyperbole to Add Emphasis

Hyperbole in writing and oral communication tin can add a dramatic or serious event to a argument depending on how it’s used. To make sure your hyperbole adds the emphasis you are looking for, go on a few things in heed:

• What is your exaggeration describing: a feeling or quantity?

• Does it make sense and sound natural?

Now that yous know what to remember near when calculation hyperbole to your work, see how hyperbole adds emphasis.

• Without hyperbole
  – This game is taking a long time.

• With hyperbole
  – This game is taking forever.

• Without hyperbole
  – This helmet is hurting my chin.

• With hyperbole
  – This helmet is killing me.

In truth, the game isn’t really taking forever, and the helmet isn’t killing anyone, but calculation that diction is more creative. Now explore a few more everyday examples.

Hyperbole in Everyday Utilize

In these mutual, everyday examples of hyperbole, y’all’ll see the sentiment isn’t realistic, but information technology helps to stress the betoken.

• I’ve told yous to clean your room a million times!

• It was so cold; I saw polar bears wearing hats and jackets.

• She’south so dumb; she thinks Taco Bong is a Mexican phone company

• I accept a 1000000 things to practice today.

• When I was young, I had to walk 15 miles to school uphill, in the snow.

• I had a ton of homework.

• If I can’t buy that perfect prom dress, I’ll die!

• The automobile went faster than the speed of light.

• His new car cost a bazillion dollars.

• We’re so poor nosotros don’t take two cents to rub together.

• That joke is so one-time; the last fourth dimension I heard information technology, I was riding a dinosaur.

• They ran similar greased lightning.

• He’s got tons of money.

• You could have knocked me over with a feather.

• Her brain is the size of a pea.

• My geography teacher is older than the hills.

Hyperbole Examples

While you apply hyperbole in everyday speech all the fourth dimension, it’s as well a swell literary device for songs, speeches and advert. See a few successful examples of hyperbole.

Hyperbole in Speeches

When hyperbole is advisedly placed into a speech, it tin assistance you lot actually punch your points. A tiny scrap of exaggeration may be enough to perk up the ears of your audience.

• “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of human talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House — with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined solitary.” – White House dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners, President John F. Kennedy

• “So kickoff of all, let me assert my firm conventionalities that the just thing we have to fear is fright itself.” – Commencement Inaugural Address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt

• “That year, 1967, the Dallas Cowboys had 137 rookies in training campsite. Gil Brandt was signing everybody that could walk. Only five made the team that year, and I was one of the five.” – Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Accost, Larry Rayfield Wright

• “Please sit down downward because having produced ix meg award shows, I know the producer’s up there saying, ‘Hurry, say thanks fast.'” – Daytime Emmy Laurels Acceptance Address, Dick Clark

Hyperbole in Songs

Similar to a well-delivered speech, hyperbole tin assist paint a vivid picture or express a stiff emotion in the lyrics of a song.

• “California girls/ We’re unforgettable/ Daisy Dukes/ Bikinis on tiptop/ Sun-kissed skin/ so hot/ We’ll melt your popsicle” –
  California Gurls, Katy Perry

• “Now at that place’s just no risk/ with you and me/ at that place’ll never be/ don’t it brand you sorry about it?/ Cry me a river/ Weep me a river” –
  Cry Me a River, Justin Timberlake

• “I would fly to the moon and dorsum/ if you’ll be If you’ll be my baby/ Got a ticket for a world where/ we belong/ And then would you be my babe” –
  To the Moon and Back, Barbarous Garden

• “’Cause tonight for the first fourth dimension/ But about one-half-by ten/ For the first time in history/ Information technology’s gonna start raining men/ It’s raining men, Hallelujah./ It’s raining men, amen” –
  It’s Raining Men, The Weather Girls

• “But I would walk 500 miles/ And I would walk 500 more/ Just to be the human who walks a grand miles/ to autumn down at your door” –
  I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers

Hyperbole in Advertising

If used properly, hyperbole can encourage consumers to buy products. At that place has been limited inquiry into this area, but according to a 2007 study past Mark A. Callister, Ph.D. & Lesa A. Stern, Ph.D., The Office of Visual Hyperbole in Advertising Effectiveness, establish that “hyperbolic ads produce more than ad liking than nonhyperbolic ads.”

Examples of hyperboles in advertising include:

• “Adds amazing luster for infinite, mirror-like shine.” (Brilliant Brunette shampoo)

• “Information technology doesn’t get better than this.” (Oscar Meyer)

• “The best a man tin can get.” (Gillette)

• “Mints so strong they come in a metal box.” (Altoids)

Accentuate and Exaggerate

Remember, hyperbole is over the top and not meant to be taken literally. Continue your ears open for examples of these exaggerations in every source, from poetry and plays to everyday conversations and commercials. Endeavour using hyperbole yourself to show dissimilarity or inject feeling and sense of humour into your writing. And, while you’re at it, enjoy some examples of hyperbole in literature. When used appropriately, a hyperbole’s effect is purposeful and emphatic, causing the reader to pay attention. Only be careful not to overdo the overstatement!