A Detailed Know-How About Hyperbole: Definition, Uses & Effects

No doubt, words can either make or break things. There are many linguistic tools in English that can make a huge impact with the power of words. One such example is Hyperbole. To make writing even more impressive and exciting, this rhetorical device uses exaggeration. It makes words more lively and easily evokes the emotions of a reader. In this article, you will get comprehensive information about this figurative language. If you want to know ‘what is hyperbole’ and how to use it, you will get to know everything. So, let’s explore!

Definition of Hyperbole

Hyperbole is figurative language that creates a dramatic effect. It helps to create sentences that can leave lasting impressions. With the amplification of emotions, ideas, and thoughts, an out-of-the-ordinary experience is provided.

For example, I have explained this a hundred times.

In the above example, a hundred times is just for exaggeration and to show the intensification of the situation.

Significance of Hyperbole

Linguistic devices like hyperbole are of great importance in communication. Let’s find out how it is useful.

1. Emphasizes and Catches the Attention

Using hyperbole, increasing emphasis on a particular part of speech becomes easy. It stretches it to the utmost level. It is used to enhance the importance of a message so that it can be heard easily.

2. Innovation and Meaningful Language

It makes room for innovation and expression and makes complicated ideas in a fun and engaging manner. It adds life to the communication and makes it even more interesting.

3. Entertainment

Another impactful use of hyperbole is that it opens doors for entertainment and fun. It keeps the audience engaged and makes the whole communication quite enjoyable.

4. Impressive Storyline

When it comes to storytelling or a piece of literature, hyperbole is a very powerful tool to add depth to the story. It completely transforms the impact of words, and if used appropriately, it can create memorable characters and unforgettable narratives.

5. Marketing and Sales

While using exaggerated statements or words, various organizations seek attention and make their services look more appealing. It creates FOMO, catches attention, creates a sense of urgent desire, compels customers, and boosts sales.

Uses of Hyperbole in Writing

Learning a linguistic tool is one thing, and using it is another. If you want to know what are places where one can use this tool without thinking twice, please proceed further.

1. Recognize the Purpose

In writing a write-up, it is the first and foremost step to identify the purpose for which you are writing it. Once you are aware of it, you can further decide whether to use hyperbole as a tool to make it more engaging or not. Once it is done, then try to understand the mindset of readers. In this way, you can effectively use hyperbole in your speech or writing.

2. Opt for the Right Time

Using hyperbole in your writing is quite easy, but it is actually difficult to use it so that the purpose of using it is fulfilled. It is vital to use it at the places in content where its effects can be seen more predominately. It could be anything from a description to a dialogue. This enhances the benefit of using hyperbole as a language tool.

3. Target Audience and Style

The range of scope to use hyperbole is quite vast. There could be enormous genres and tones for which one can use it. From comic to satire, or from professional to emotional, it can be used without any doubt and precise knowledge.

You just need to be sure of the target audience and tone that you want to use to convey your message more efficiently.  If you want to add humor to your write-up, a comic tone will be the best choice. Whereas for marketing copy, a persuasive tone is a perfect fit.

4. Maintain a Balance

Though using hyperbole can make your write-up quite influencing, it is really crucial to create a proper balance while using it. Higher exaggeration and dramatic effect can lead to poor demonstration of thoughts. It should be completely avoided, and hyperbole should be used in a diluted version. The moderate exaggeration works really well and doesn’t make writing too forceful.

Effects of Hyperbole

Hyperbole has a range of effects. It can create a sarcastic effect or could be a reason for someone’s laughter. All in all, it can be said that this linguistic device can be used to make a write-up extraordinary. Here are some of the prominent effects put in various places by hyperbole.

1. Prose

Hyperbole is used to pose emphasis in prose. When a specific point is to be highlighted, it is often exaggerated by using this linguistic device. Or if there is a requirement to focus on a character, a feature, or a moment. All of this can be done remarkably while using hyperbole. Although this overplaying just evokes emotions and is not to be taken literally.

2. Imagery

The use of hyperbole in imagery can create dramatic effects. For example, “She is as thin as a toothpick.” This statement describes the physique of a woman or girl who is thin. The word ‘toothpick’ is used to intensify the statement and to create a humorous impact on what’s being said.

3. Poems

Poets use hyperbole to make a point even clearer through the use of humor or sarcasm. It is also used to create an outstanding contrast between two ideas. In poetry, it is widely used when two opposite things are explored for comparison. It can be seen in the write-ups and plays of popular writers such as William Shakespeare.

Hyperbole Examples

As mentioned above, hyperbole can make descriptions quite fascinating for the readers. Now, it is time to explore the ways in which this rhetoric tool can be used. Here are some examples that will give you an idea of the ways you can use it effectively.

1. Everyday Conversation

In daily life conversations, many times, we use hyperbole either to add a fun element to our conversation or to intensify the worth of our words. Let’s go through some of the examples that showcase it.

• My feet are killing me.
• I feel this drive took forever.
• This is the best dish ever made.
• I love you to the moon and back.
• The pen is mightier than the sword.

2. Advertising

The advertising industry is dominated by hyperbole. Those who know how to use it properly can make a unique place for themselves in the market. Let’s see how the usage of mere words can make a huge difference.

• “The Best a Man Can Get”
• “There Is No Finish Line”
• “Tastes So Good, Cats Ask for It By Name”

3. Movies

There must be some famous movie dialogue that you can never forget. Have you ever thought could the reason for it to be so memorable? It happens due to increased dramatic effect and an impactful form of storytelling. Let’s explore some instances of it:

"I'll never be hungry again, as God is my witness,"

"Anyone can have a brain, after all. That's a pretty mediocre product. Every pusillanimous creature crawling on the surface of the Earth or slinking through slimy seas has a brain".

4. Literature

Just like movies, literature also needs enhancement of emotions so that the audience can find it relatable. There are a few examples of plays where it is used to invoke strong emotions. Below are some instances of how it is used in this form of writing.

• In Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet-"Parting is such sweet sorrow."
• F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby -"a riotous carnival that lasted all night."
• Edgar Allan Poe's poem- "And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor shall be lifted—nevermore!"

5. Satire

Satire is used to transmit ideas in a smart way to criticize and make fun of various characteristics and characters of society. One of the most essential ingredients of this genre is ‘hyperbole.’ Let’s discover a few instances where this rhetorical device has been used in the form of satire.

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels - "Whoever performs his part with most agility, and holds out the longest in leaping and creeping, is rewarded with the blue-colored silk."

George Orwell's novel Animal Farm -"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

6. Poetry

Poetry is something that also demands soaring emotions and true-to-life imagination. Let’s see a few examples where hyperbole has been a part of poetry.

• William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 - "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate."
• Emily Dickinson's poem "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" -"How dreary to be somebody! How public, like a frog."

Conclusion

With the above information, it is quite obvious that hyperbole is great for making your writing really impressive. For academic students, it becomes difficult to get into such technicalities. Therefore, students are often seen searching for ‘Do My Assignment’. To help such individuals, there are enormous assignment assistance providers available. These online assignment helpers make things simple and clear for the students, and with their excellent support, it becomes easy to gain desired grades.