HYPERBOLE Figurative Language Practice Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

HYPERBOLE Hyperboles are figures of speech that use intentional exaggeration. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Hyperboles are descriptive language. Using a hyperbole is a creative way to describe something. By exaggerating certain characteristics, hyperboles give the reader a vivid mental picture. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

He snores louder than a freight train. No one snores louder than a freight train, but by exaggerating the writer shows us that he snores REALLY loudly. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

We stood in line so long that grass began to grow on our shoes. No one stands still long enough to watch grass grow, but this hyperbole shows us that they had waited in line a VERY long time. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Some hyperboles have been used so many times that they have become clichés, phrases that everyone recognizes. I would die of embarrassment. He thinks money grows on trees. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

"I'm so hungry I could eat a whole elephant! How do you know that this line from 101 Dalmatians is a hyperbole? What does this hyperbole mean? Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world. Poets often use hyperboles. This one is in the poem “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. What is the hyperbole in this line of poetry? What does it mean? Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Find four hyperboles in this passage. Marian wanted a summer job. If I just had a job, she thought, I could buy everything I ever wanted. However, she was nervous about going on a job interview. She was so nervous that she felt as shaky as a leaf on a tree. After a few interviews, Marian got a job at Dairy Queen. She served up mountains of ice cream. She served enough sodas to fill an ocean. Finally, payday came. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Four hyperboles Marian wanted a summer job. If I just had a job, she thought, I could buy everything I ever wanted. However, she was nervous about going on a job interview. She was so nervous that she felt as shaky as a leaf on a tree. After a few interviews, Marian got a job at Dairy Queen. She served up mountains of ice cream. She served enough sodas to fill an ocean. Finally, payday came. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Can you complete these hyperboles? 1.That joke is as old as ___. 2.Our new school is so big that ___. 3.My backpack is as heavy as ___. 4.Her smile is like a ___. 5.He runs as fast as a ___. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Time to Revise Try these hyperboles again. This time, come up with your own original ideas rather than hyperboles that you have heard before. 1.That joke is as old as ___. 2.Our new school is so big that ___. 3.My backpack is as heavy as ___. 4.Her smile is like a ___. 5.He runs as fast as a ___. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

It’s Just a Joke Sometimes hyperboles are used as a joke or to make fun of something or someone by exaggerating certain characteristics. Example: my sister was so afraid of the mouse that she jumped up three flights of stairs at once. 1.My brother is as tall as ___. 2.My friend walks so fast that she ___. 3.That new building is so ugly that ___. 4.That hamster is as fat as ___. 5.His new song sounds like a ___. Complete these hyperboles. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

More Hyperbole Activities 1. Write a poem. Write a five line poem describing an unusual place or event. Use at least three hyperboles. 2. Illustrate it. Write your favorite hyperbole. Then draw a picture to illustrate it. Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

Writing hyperboles is so much fun that I could write them 24/7. Exaggeration Hyperbole Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian

HYPERBOLE Intentional exaggeration *A figure of speech *A creative way to describe something by exaggerating Certain characteristics Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian