Hyperbole

Hyperbole  A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. EXTREME EXAGGERATION.  Examples: I could sleep for a year. This book weighs a ton.

Why Use Hyperbole?  Authors use colorful exaggerations to add interest to a story  “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” is much more interesting than “I’m hungry.”

 These books are heavy.  These books are heavy as lead.

 I was angry.  I was so angry I could have punched a hole through the wall.

 It rained hard.  It rained so hard I thought I was going to drown as I walked from the bus into school.

What other examples can you think of?

Activity: On your handout, rewrite these sentences with a more interesting hyperbole. 1. The music was loud. 2. The garden is pretty. 3. The tired man snored loudly. 4. The flowers grew quickly. 5. I ate so much lunch my tummy is full.

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What is an idiom? words, phrases, or expressions that are not interpreted logically or literally

“It’s raining cats and dogs!”  What does this mean? a) Cats and dogs are falling from the sky. b) It’s raining very hard. c) It’s hardly raining. d) The weather is horrible.

“Skeletons in your closet” means: a.Your closet is full of skeletons. b.You are hiding something in your closet. c.You have secrets or something that you don’t want anyone to know. d.You are not afraid of anything.

To break the iceTo be the first to say or do something hoping that others will join you To have a chip on your shoulder Describes a person who is angry and defensive or who is always ready to argue or fight Hold your horsesBe patient; wait a minute Over the hillOld or too old to do something On cloud nineVery happy or excited Pulling your legTeasing you Common Idioms

Practice - On your handout:  Read each sentence and choose the idiom from the box that best fits.  Then write a new sentence of your own using that same idiom.