Hyperbole - Examples and Definition of Hyperbole Hyperbole Hyperbole Definition Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting” is a figure of speech , which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis. It is a device that we employ in our day-to-day speech. For instance, when you meet a friend after a long time, you say, “Ages have passed since I last saw you”. You may not have met him for three or four hours or a day, but the use of the word “ages” exaggerates this statement to add emphasis to your wait. Therefore, a hyperbole is an unreal exaggeration to emphasize the real situation. Some other common Hyperbole examples are given below. Common Examples of Hyperbole My grandmother is as old as the hills. Your suitcase weighs a ton! She is as heavy as an elephant! I am dying of shame. I am trying to solve a million issues these days. It is important not to confuse hyperbole with simile and metaphor . It does make a comparison but unlike simile and metaphor , hyperbole has a humorous effect created by an overstatement . Let us see some examples from Classical English literature in which hyperbole was used successfully.

Hyperbole Examples from Literature Example #1 In American folk lore, Paul Bunyan’s stories are full of hyperboles. In one instance, he exaggerates winter by saying: “Well now, one winter it was so cold that all the geese flew backward and all the fish moved south and even the snow turned blue. Late at night, it got so frigid that all spoken words froze solid afore they could be heard. People had to wait until sunup to find out what folks were talking about the night before.” Freezing of the spoken words at night in winter and then warming up of the words in the warmth of the sun during the day are examples of hyperbole that have been effectively used by Paul Bunyan in this short excerpt. Example #2 From William Shakespeare ’s “ Macbeth ”, Act II, Scene II, “Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No. This my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red.” Macbeth, the tragic hero , feels the unbearable prick of his conscience after killing the king. He regrets his sin and believes that even the oceans of the greatest magnitude cannot wash the blood of the king off his hands.

We can notice the effective use of hyperboles in the given lines. Example #3 From W.H Auden’s poem “As I Walked One Evening”, I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you Till China and Africa meet, And the river jumps over the mountain And the salmon sing in the street, I’ll love you till the ocean Is folded and hung up to dry The use of hyperbole can be noticed in the above lines. The meeting of China and Africa, the jumping of the river over the mountain, singing of salmon in the street, and the ocean being folded and hung up to be dried are exaggerations not possible in real life. Example #4 From “The Adventures of Pinocchio” written by C. Colloid, “He cried all night, and dawn found him still there, though his tears had dried and only hard, dry sobs shook his wooden frame. But these were so loud that they could be heard by the faraway hills…” The crying of Pinocchio all night until his tears became dry is an example of Hyperbole.

Example #5 From Joseph Conrad ’s novel “The Heart of Darkness”, “I had to wait in the station for ten days-an eternity.” The wait of ten days seemed to last forever and never end. Function of Hyperbole The above arguments make clear the use of hyperbole. In our daily conversation, we use hyperbole to emphasize for an amusing effect. However, in literature it has very serious implications. By using hyperbole, a writer or a poet makes common human feelings remarkable and intense to such an extent that they do not remain ordinary. In literature, usage of hyperbole develops contrasts. When one thing is described with an over-statement and the other thing is presented normally, a striking contrast is developed. This technique is employed to catch the reader’s attention. Figures of Speech - Hyperbole Hyperbole What is hyperbole? Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally. Hyperboles are exaggerations to create emphasis or effect. Examples The bag weighed a ton. I was so hungry; I could eat a horse! She's older than the hills.

I could sleep for a year; I was so tired. He's filthy rich. He's got tons of money. I've told you a million times to help with the housework. hyperbole - definition - What is ? What is ? hyperbole definition : hyperbole Hyperbole (ˈ; , huperbolḗ, from (hupér, “above”) and (bállō, "I throw")) is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis ( "growth"). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally. ==Usage== Hyperbole may also be used for instances of such exaggerations for emphasis or effect. Hyperboles are often used in casual speech as intensifiers, such as saying "the bag weighed a ton". Hyperbole makes the point that the speaker found the bag to be extremely heavy, although it was nothing like a literal ton. Understanding hyperboles and their use in context can further one's ability to understand the messages being sent from the speaker.

It has been established that use of hyperboles relays emotions. Hyperbole can be used in a form of humour, excitement, distress, and many other emotions, all depending on the context in which the speaker uses it. == See also == * Litotes and meiosis, forms of a deliberate understatement == References == About: Hyperbole About: Hyperbole An Entity of Type : Thing , from Named Graph : , within Data Space : dbpedia.org Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis ( "growth"). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally. Property In der Sprachwissenschaft bezeichnet man als Hyperbel (altgriechisch ὑπερβολή hyperbolé „Übertreffung, Übertreibung“, von ὑπερβάλλειν hyperballein „über das Ziel hinaus werfen“) das rhetorische Stilmittel der Übertreibung. Das zugehörige Adjektiv ist hyperbolisch.

Der Gegensatz zur Hyperbel ist die Untertreibung. (de) L'hyperbole (substantif féminin), vient du grec hyperbolê, de hyper (« au-delà ») et ballein (« jeter ») est une figure de style consistant à exagérer l'expression d'une idée ou d'une réalité afin de la mettre en relief. C'est la principale figure de l'exagération et le support essentiel de l'ironie et de la caricature. L'hyperbole correspond le plus souvent à une exagération qui tend vers l'impossible. C'est un procédé proche de ceux de l'emphase et de l'amplification. (fr) Hipérbole es un recurso literario que consiste en aumentar o disminuir cualidades o acciones (es) Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis ( "growth"). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally.

(en) المبالغة عند أهل العربية هي أن يدعي المتكلم بلوغ وصف في الشدة أو الضعف حدا مستحيلا أو مستبعدا ليدل على أن الموصوف بالغ في ذلك الوصف إلى النهاية.تكتب صيغة المبالغة في اللغة العربية على الأوزان التالية: فعول: صبور، شكور، غيور، كسول، دؤوب. فعّال - فعّالة: دفاق، فياض، كذاب، بناء، سفاح، صبارجوالة أو رحالة، دعابة، فزاعة، رعابة (كثير الإرعاب)، شتامة، عذالة أو لوامة، علّامة، عبابة، فهامة، وقّاعة (كثير الاغتياب)، نمامة.

جبارة، فتاكة، خفاقة، جذابة، سباقة، هدامة، وضاءة، مفعال: مخواف، محجام، محذار، مقدام، مهزار، معطاء↑ (ar) L'iperbole (dal greco ὑπερβολή, hyperbolé, «eccesso») è una figura retorica che consiste nell'esagerare la descrizione della realtà tramite espressioni che l'amplifichino, per eccesso o per difetto. (it) De hyperbool is de stijlfiguur van overdrijving. Het tegenovergestelde is een parabool. Er zijn verschillende redenen om een hyperbool te gebruiken, meestal is het om iets sterk uit te drukken. Maar ook variatie in schrijfstijl en humor kunnen redenen zijn om de hyperbool te gebruiken. Sommige staande uitdrukkingen zijn ook hyperbolen (voorbeelden: het heeft eeuwen geduurd. de regen viel met bakken uit de lucht).

Worden hyperbolen te veel gebruikt, dan kan het gevolg zijn dat men niet meer serieus wordt genomen. Soms kan dat worden opgelost met het woord 'letterlijk'. Indien iemand werkelijk een ongeluk kreeg doordat hij te hard reed, kan men zeggen "Hij heeft zich letterlijk een ongeluk gehaast." (nl) Hipérbole ou auxese é a figura de linguagem que incide quando há exagero propositado em um conceito para definir algo de forma dramática, transmitindo uma ideia aumentada do autêntico. Em termos simplificados, a hipérbole consiste na expressão evidentemente exagerada de uma ideia. É habitual na linguagem corrente, como quando se diz: "Já te avisei mais de mil vezes!".

(pt) 誇張法（こちょうほう、ギリシャ語: ὑπερβολή、ドイツ語: Hyperbel、ラテン語、英語、フランス語：Hyperbole）とは、主張を大げさにする修辞技法のこと。 誇張法は、強い印象を想起させる、あるいは強い印象を生むのに用いられる。文字通りの意味に取るものではない。 (ja) Hiperbola (gr. hyperbola, łac. superlatio, pol. wyolbrzymienie), przesadnia – środek stylistyczny polegający na wyolbrzymieniu, przejaskrawieniu cech przedmiotów, osób, zjawisk. Może dotyczyć ilości, rozmiaru, stosunku emocjonalnego, przyczyny, znaczenia lub skutku. Stosowany dla wywarcia mocnego wrażenia, spotęgowania ekspresji. Hiperboli używa się również w mowie potocznej, np. gigantyczny zamiast duży, Powtarzałam ci to tysiąc razy!

W retoryce hiperbola zaliczana jest do tropów. (pl) Гипе́рбола (из древнегреческого: «переход; чрезмерность, избыток; преувеличение») — стилистическая фигура явного и намеренного преувеличения, с целью усиления выразительности и подчёркивания сказанной мысли. Например: «я говорил это тысячу раз» или «нам еды на полгода хватит».Гипербола часто сочетается с другими стилистическими приёмами, придавая им соответствующую окраску: гиперболические сравнения, метафоры и т. д. («волны вставали горами»). Изображаемый характер или ситуация также могут быть гиперболическими.

Гипербола свойственна и риторическому, ораторскому стилю, как средство патетического подъёма, равно как и романтическому стилю, где пафос соприкасается с иронией.

Из русских авторов к гиперболе особенно склонен Гоголь, из поэтов — Маяковский (ru) 誇飾是一种修辞方法。將客觀之人、事或物的特點，透過主觀情意的誇張渲染與舖飾形容，使它與真正的事實相差很遠，這種修辭方法稱為「誇飾」，使句子或文章呈現言過其實、一鳴驚人的效果。 (zh) In der Sprachwissenschaft bezeichnet man als Hyperbel (altgriechisch ὑπερβολή hyperbolé „Übertreffung, Übertreibung“, von ὑπερβάλλειν hyperballein „über das Ziel hinaus werfen“) das rhetorische Stilmittel der Übertreibung. Das zugehörige Adjektiv ist hyperbolisch. Der Gegensatz zur Hyperbel ist die Untertreibung.

(de) L'hyperbole (substantif féminin), vient du grec hyperbolê, de hyper (« au-delà ») et ballein (« jeter ») est une figure de style consistant à exagérer l'expression d'une idée ou d'une réalité afin de la mettre en relief. C'est la principale figure de l'exagération et le support essentiel de l'ironie et de la caricature. L'hyperbole correspond le plus souvent à une exagération qui tend vers l'impossible. C'est un procédé proche de ceux de l'emphase et de l'amplification. (fr) Hipérbole es un recurso literario que consiste en aumentar o disminuir cualidades o acciones (es) Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis ( "growth"). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. As a figure of speech, it is usually not meant to be taken literally.

(en) L'iperbole (dal greco ὑπερβολή, hyperbolé, «eccesso») è una figura retorica che consiste nell'esagerare la descrizione della realtà tramite espressioni che l'amplifichino, per eccesso o per difetto.

(it) 誇張法（こちょうほう、ギリシャ語: ὑπερβολή、ドイツ語: Hyperbel、ラテン語、英語、フランス語：Hyperbole）とは、主張を大げさにする修辞技法のこと。 誇張法は、強い印象を想起させる、あるいは強い印象を生むのに用いられる。文字通りの意味に取るものではない。 (ja) 誇飾是一种修辞方法。將客觀之人、事或物的特點，透過主觀情意的誇張渲染與舖飾形容，使它與真正的事實相差很遠，這種修辭方法稱為「誇飾」，使句子或文章呈現言過其實、一鳴驚人的效果。 (zh) المبالغة عند أهل العربية هي أن يدعي المتكلم بلوغ وصف في الشدة أو الضعف حدا مستحيلا أو مستبعدا ليدل على أن الموصوف بالغ في ذلك الوصف إلى النهاية.تكتب صيغة المبالغة في اللغة العربية على الأوزان التالية: فعول: صبور، شكور

، غيور، كسول، دؤوب.

فعّال - فعّالة: دفاق، فياض، كذاب، بناء، سفاح، صبارجوالة أو رحالة، دعابة، فزاعة، رعابة (كثير الإرعاب)، شتامة، عذالة أو لوامة، علّامة، عبابة، فهامة، وقّاعة (كثير الاغتياب)، نمامة. (ar) De hyperbool is de stijlfiguur van overdrijving. Het tegenovergestelde is een parabool. Er zijn verschillende redenen om een hyperbool te gebruiken, meestal is het om iets sterk uit te drukken. Maar ook variatie in schrijfstijl en humor kunnen redenen zijn om de hyperbool te gebruiken. Sommige staande uitdrukkingen zijn ook hyperbolen (voorbeelden: het heeft eeuwen geduurd. de regen viel met bakken uit de lucht). (nl) Hiperbola (gr. hyperbola, łac. superlatio, pol.

wyolbrzymienie), przesadnia – środek stylistyczny polegający na wyolbrzymieniu, przejaskrawieniu cech przedmiotów, osób, zjawisk. Może dotyczyć ilości, rozmiaru, stosunku emocjonalnego, przyczyny, znaczenia lub skutku. Stosowany dla wywarcia mocnego wrażenia, spotęgowania ekspresji.Hiperboli używa się również w mowie potocznej, np. gigantyczny zamiast duży, Powtarzałam ci to tysiąc razy!W retoryce hiperbola zaliczana jest do tropów. (pl) Hipérbole ou auxese é a figura de linguagem que incide quando há exagero propositado em um conceito para definir algo de forma dramática, transmitindo uma ideia aumentada do autêntico. Em termos simplificados, a hipérbole consiste na expressão evidentemente exagerada de uma ideia.É habitual na linguagem corrente, como quando se diz: "Já te avisei mais de mil vezes!".

(pt) Гипе́рбола (из древнегреческого: «переход; чрезмерность, избыток; преувеличение») — стилистическая фигура явного и намеренного преувеличения, с целью усиления выразительности и подчёркивания сказанной мысли. Например: «я говорил это тысячу раз» или «нам еды на полгода хватит».Гипербола часто сочетается с другими стилистическими приёмами, придавая им соответствующую окраску: гиперболические сравнения, метафоры и т. д. («волны вставали горами»). (ru) Hyperbole | Word Hyperbole at Open Dictionary of English by LearnThat Foundation hyperbole was to Lyndon Johnson what oxygen is to life. I guess hyperbole is only acceptable from the Left. I read it to be more like “political hyperbole is not new”. EUGENE - What do you call hyperbole when lofty expectations are met? To turn something as mundane into hyperbole is very disappointing to me.

The 1817 version's hyperbole is lessened to "a thousand thousand" (4.238). An extensive use of simile and hyperbole is characteristic of London's style. … … (OK, the country was Bermuda …. but my hyperbole is FoxWorthy, right?) The dictionary definition of hyperbole is “obvious and intentional exaggeration”. But I don't see the point in hyperbole when the reality is already startling on its own. I don't think you were inarticulate or indulging in hyperbole at all; it was a fair point. Responding in kind to exaggeration or hyperbole is neither “appropriate” nor effective. Right, I thought, a bit of forgivable hyperbole from the flyfishing version of a tennis dad. The Economist, never a fan of hyperbole, is convinced Brazil will become the 5th power by 2025. I hear alot of whining, anger and hyperbole from the left, but never any wisdom - not any more. The second part of this hyperbole is quite mad: most right-wingers say this sort of thing all the time.

(link) And a little hyperbole is good for the soul: D (Reply to this) (Parent) intertribal Are you familiar with the term hyperbole? The world of the mp3 blog is deeply rooted in hyperbole. You are clearly immune to hyperbole, which is what that was. Perhaps your hyperbole is a cover for making an argument with no facts. Hey, I’ve been known to rarely engage in hyperbole on this very blog. Your hyperbole is a perfect companion to your inability to close your tags. It’s amusing enough if not taken seriously, and hyperbole is as hyperbole does. It's nice and all but the hyperbole is a bit much. blog comments powered by Disqus Your argument, which you so dutifully repeat for HRC, is a lie wrapped in hyperbole. In an industry where the hyperbole is the norm, there may not be enough ways to describe HBK. Even if it is hyperbole, that is the sort of language the military very much will not tolerate. Now you are in hyperbole-land. Political hyperbole is not new. Oh, the hyperbole is duly noted. Unconscious hyperbole is not our friend.

That kind of hyperbole might unnerve other directors. On the following Sunday he used the word "hyperbole," and added: And no, I’m not even slightly guilty of engaging in hyperbole. I disagree with the tax cut suggestions, but this kind of hyperbole is silly. And it's exactly that kind of hyperbole that's gotten us into the mess that we're in, in Iraq. But in the dark shadows of night -- that kind of hyperbole -- he will be laughed out of court. This is what happens when you engage in this kind of hyperbole: you wind up saying silly stuff. Wilson did not believe he was on the receiving end of any kind of hyperbole or patronizing dogma. This kind of hyperbole is the common marketing language found on the Blackwater Worldwide website. etymology - Rhetoric vs. Mathematics: ellipsis/ellipse, parable/parabola, hyperbole/hyperbola - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange Rhetoric vs.

Mathematics: ellipsis/ellipse, parable/parabola, hyperbole/hyperbola up vote 41 down vote favorite 13 Do ellipsis, parable, and hyperbole from rhetoric have anything in common with the geometric curves ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola used in mathematics? There are three geometric curves known as conic sections : Ellipse : a curve on a plane surrounding two focal points such that a straight line drawn from one of the focal points to any point on the curve and then back to the other focal point has the same length for every point on the curve. Parabola : a two-dimensional, mirror-symmetrical curve, which is approximately U-shaped when oriented as shown in the diagram. Hyperbola : has two pieces, called connected components or branches, that are mirror images of each other and resemble two infinite bows. There are also three terms in linguistics with analogous names (in many languages with the same names, actually): Ellipsis : the omission from a clause of one or more words that are nevertheless understood in the context of the remaining elements. Parable : a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, which illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles.

Hyperbole : is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. Do they have anything in common? Is there any etymological or other reason connecting each pair together? Does the ellipsis remind the ellipse in any way, etc.? Is there any analogy between them? up vote 52 down vote accepted In Ancient Greek, where both the rhetorical and geometrical terms were invented, they are the same words, employed in different figurative senses: A ‘parabole’ is a ‘casting/setting side by side’—using Latin-derived morphs an ‘apposition’ or ‘adjacency’. In rhetoric, it is a comparison, which sets two terms side-by-side; later it denotes a fiction which is ‘set beside’ and parallels (‘lies next to’) reality. In geometry, it is a conic section formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane with the same inclination to the axis as one of the cone’s sides—the plane is parallel to that side. A ‘hyperbole’ is a literally a ‘casting/setting above’, more generally an excess. In rhetoric it is an exaggeration, something which speaks of something in excessive terms.

In geometry it is another conic section formed by the intersection of a plane with both branches of a cone, in which the inclination of the cutting plane to the axis exceeds that of the cone’s side An ‘ellipsis’ is a ‘falling short, deficiency’. In rhetoric, it denotes the omission of one or more words needed to complete the sense—the utterance thus falls short of completion. In geometry it is a conic section in which the cutting plane’s inclination is less than—falls short of—the inclination of the cone’s side. 9 I used this as a title pun in a paper once , when I was young and foolish: "Elliptical conditionals and/or hyperbolic imperatives". And don't forget "circular reasoning"; it may be degenerate logic, but it's not a degenerate conic section. – John Lawler Jun 8 '14 at 17:41 @StoneyB: if a parable is setting something side-by-side, is it relative to a synopsis? A synoptic edition of a book with two languages in two parallel columns...

– Honza Zidek Jun 8 '14 at 17:45 2 @HonzaZidek A syn-opsis is a 'together-view'. The three 'synoptic Gospels' are so called because they show pretty much the same stories. – StoneyB Jun 8 '14 at 18:27 @JohnLawler I suppose circular reasoning would be an orthogonia? – StoneyB Jun 8 '14 at 18:38 4 ὐπερ- (huper-): "exceed" The relationship of the rhetorical terms with these origins should be self-evident. I'll focus on the conic sections instead. We know that the conic sections were referred to by cognates of their current English names by Apollonius of Perga (c. 200 BCE). It is unclear whether he coined those terms, or whether they were already in use at the time. The exact reason why those words were chosen is also a matter of educated speculation ; Jeff Miller cites some sources . One straightforward explanation is that the terms for the conic sections refer to the angle between the cone and the cutting plane.

If the cutting plane is parallel to exactly one generating line of the cone, then the conic is unbounded and is called a parabola. If the plane intersects at a smaller angle, it is an ellipse; if it intersects at a larger angle, it is a hyperbola. However, the explanation for parabola might be more complicated. According to Online Etymology Dictionary , parabola (n.) 1570s, from Modern Latin parabola, from Greek parabole "parabola, comparison, analogy; application" (see parable ), so called by Apollonius of Perga c.210 B.C.E. because it is produced by "application" of a given area to a given straight line. It had a different sense in Pythagorean geometry. Related: Parabolic. That explanation is a bit of an enigma, requiring an illustration from Wikipedia to understand. The blue rectangle has the same area as the orange square, and the rectangle's projected width on the x-axis stays a constant width. Conic sections can also be classified by their eccentricity : The eccentricity of an ellipse [is] less than 1.

The eccentricity of a parabola is 1. The eccentricity of a hyperbola is greater than 1. Although the eccentricity explanation is also simple and appealing, it is uncertain whether that is what Apollonius (or whoever) had in mind when coining the terms for the conic sections. Grammar Clinic: Figures of Speech | Passnownow Quizzes & Fun Grammar Clinic: Figures of Speech Facebook Figure of Speech You might have heard the expression “it’s a figure of speech,” but what does that really mean? A figure of speech is just that – figurative language. It might be words with a literal meaning, a certain arrangements of words, or a phrase with a meaning that is something entirely other than that of the words themselves. Figures of speech can be refreshing and fun, but for some – especially those who are not native English speakers – a figure of speech can be very confusing. This refers to those collection of figures that place two or more things side by side with the purpose of emphasizing their differences but not similarities as in a comparison. Example: Antithesis, oxymoron, irony, paradox etc. A figure of speech or figurative language is a literary device used to gain a particular effect.

It is the use of a word or an expression beyond its ordinary or literal meaning. There are over two hundred kind of figure of speech but the one mostly used will be discuss. They are simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, paradox,irony. A figure of speech is used in prose and drama. Whenever an expression or word used to give a special effect and it is known as poetic devices in poetry. A figure of speech is designed to portray an idea more clearly or more interestingly. The most common types of figures of speech are metaphors,similes, idioms, personification, hyperbole, and euphemisms. Here are some of the most common figures of speech and what they mean. Collectively, most of the figures of speech are categorized into six groups Categories of figures of speech Comparison or association Figures of comparison or association Under this category, the following are simile, metaphor,personification, allusion, allegory Simile This is a short comparison that directly or explicitly compares one thing and another by using the word “as” or “like” Simile involves figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more.

A simile is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things, often introduced with the word “like” or “as”. A simile likens one thing to another. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things or ideas using “like” or “as” to accentuate a certain feature of an object by comparing it to a dissimilar object that is a typical example of that particular trait. It takes the form of: X is (not) like Y X is (not) as Y X is (not) similar to Y Examples: Personification Personification can be defined as the transfer of human traits to animate object. Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are given to animals, objects or ideas. In the arts, personification means representing a non-human thing as if it were human. Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to an abstract quality, animal, or inanimate object. Examples: Let the floor clap their hands, Confusion heard his voice Notice the use of personification in William Blake’s poem below: Two Sunflowers Move in the Yellow Room. “Ah, William, we’re weary of weather,” said the sunflowers, shining with dew.

“Our traveling habits have tired us. Can you give us a room with a view?” They arranged themselves at the window and counted the steps of the sun, and they both took root in the carpet where the topaz tortoises run. William Blake (1757-1827) Allegory This is a narrative which has a secondary and deeper meaning which may be religious,political or normal. It is used to draw a parallel between one story that is told on the surface and the deeper meaning intended. Allegory is generally designed to teach some abstract truth. Examples: John Bunyan’s pilgrim progress is a religious allegory. Synecdoche: a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, It is the use of a part to represent a whole or a whole can be used to represent a part Example: I want all heads on dock She controls all the heads in the village Thousands of eyes gaze on on him at the occasion Euphemism Euphemism is used to express a mild, indirect, or vague term to substitute for a harsh, blunt, or offensive term. Euphemism is often contrasted with dysphemism.

Some euphemisms intend to amuse, while others intend to give positive appearances to negative events or even mislead entirely. A euphemism is the use of agreeable or inoffensive words to replace rude or offensive ones. For example: Examples: These are examples of euphemism: Going to the other side = death, Passed away = die. letting you go = you’re fired Hyperbole Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally. Hyperboles are exaggerations to create emphasis or effect. Examples I am so hungry; I could eat a horse! She’s older than the hills. I could sleep for a year; I was so tired. I have a million problems. He’s filthy rich. He’s got tons of money. Onomatopoeia This figure of speech is partly pleasure and partly business. It is used to replicate sounds created by objects, actions, animals and people. This is the use of a word that actually sounds like what it means.

Good examples include “hiss” or “ding-dong” or “fizz.” These words are meant to describe something that actually sounds very much like the word itself. For example: Cock-a-doodle-do, quack, moo. Alliteration Alliteration consists in the repetition of the letters or syllable, or the same sound at the beginning of two or more words in a line. In this way language becomes musical. Examples: How high His Honour holds his haughty head. “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, the furrow followed free.” Paradox This involves uniting two conflicting ideas. It is much more than an antithesis, as the two opposing ideas are contradictory in nature and are involved in the same thought. For example: I live without living in me. I can resist anything but temptation Be cruel to be kind Epigram : It is a brief statement that usually introduces an antithetical idea. It closely resembles proverb. Examples: a. more haste; less speed. B. Know then thyself, presume not God to scan. Metonymy: It is the representation of an object by something closely associated with it. Example: a. Law and state b. The crown is supreme.

Oxymoron: It is the placing side by side of two seemingly contradictory words. It is known as a shrunk paradox. Examples: a. what a sick health! B. He had a feather of lead. Antonomasia: This is a special form of figure of speech in which the name of a well known person, place or event is used to represent some quality which it epitomizes. Examples: He is a veritable Job. B. She is the Jezebel of our time. Consonance: It is the repetition of middle consonant sounds. It is also the agreement in sound between two stressed consonant in a line of a poem. Example: pitter patter, pitter patter, here comes the rain. Assonance: Assonance is a repetition of the vowel sounds. Such a figure of speech is found most commonly in short sentences or verses. For example: And murmuring of innumerable bees Climax: In a climax, the words are placed in an ascending order, depending on their significance. These words generally revolve around a central theme and are arranged in an increasing order to create a strong impression on the mind of the reader.

For example: “There are three things that will endure: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is Irony: Irony is used to stress on the opposite meaning of a word. When people are looking to be sarcastic, they employ irony. For example: He was so intelligent, that he failed all his tests. Polysyndeton: Polysyndeton refers to that figure of speech which makes good use of conjunctions and in close succession. For example: He ran and jumped and laughed for joy. Zeugma Zeugma refers to the employment of a word to bridge two or more words, but here the word makes sense to one word or all words in dissimilar ways. For example: She lowered her standards by raising her glass, her courage, her eyes and his hopes. Anticlimax An anticlimax as a figure speech refers to the building up a climax that results in something that cannot really be described as a climax. For example: On discovering that his friend was murdered, with vengeance on his mind Ravi rushed back to his college, only to find his friend sipping on coffee in the college canteen.

Hyperbole | Literary Devices Literary Devices Hyperbole Definition: A hyperbole is a literary device wherein the author uses specific words and phrases that exaggerate and overemphasize the basic crux of the statement in order to produce a grander, more noticeable effect. The purpose of hyperbole is to create a larger-than-life effect and overly stress a specific point. Such sentences usually convey an action or sentiment that is generally not practically/ realistically possible or plausible but helps emphasize an emotion. Example: “I am so tired I cannot walk another inch” or “I’m so sleepy I might fall asleep standing here”. Average:

Question: The use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech is known as what?
Answer: HYPERBOLE