4.3.6

Exaggeration (Hyperbole)

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Exaggeration (Hyperbole)

Exaggeration (or hyperbole) is an exaggerated statement, not meant to be taken literally, but used to create a dramatic effect.

Endless

Endless

  • She gulped as she stared at the endless piles of bills on the table.
    • ‘Endless’ is used to suggest that there are so many bills on the table that they appear to go on and on.
    • But it is impossible for the pile of bills to truly be ‘endless’ – instead, ‘endless’ is used for dramatic effect, to exaggerate the number of bills on the table and to express how upset/worried she was about the number of bills she had to pay.
  • The hyperbole exaggerates the character’s anxiety.
Forever

Forever

  • He was taking forever to get ready.
    • In this phrase, ‘forever’ is used to suggest that the man was taking a really long time to get ready – he takes so long that he seems to take ‘forever’.
    • But it is impossible for him to actually take ‘forever’ to get ready – instead, ‘forever’ is used for dramatic effect, to exaggerate the length of time he takes and to express the speaker’s frustration at how long he is taking.
Everything

Everything

  • We tried everything!
    • In this phrase, ‘everything’ is used to suggest that they tried every single solution ever invented to try and fix their problem.
    • But it is highly unlikely that they have actually, literally tried every single solution – instead, ‘everything’ is used for dramatic effect, to exaggerate the number of solutions they have tried and express their frustration that nothing has worked.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terms

2

Language Devices

3

Writing Structure

4

Section B: Reading & Writing

5

Section C: Writing

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