Which figure of speech involves exaggeration for effect?

Which figure of speech involves exaggeration for effect?

• A. Simile
• B. Metaphor
• C. Hyperbole
• D. Personification

Answer: (C)

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that relies on intentional exaggeration to emphasize a point, create a strong impression, or add humor. It is not meant to be taken literally but serves as a tool to evoke emotions or to paint a vivid picture in the reader's or listener's mind. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” is a hyperbole that exaggerates the speaker's hunger to make it more impactful. Simile and metaphor are both comparisons but do not inherently involve exaggeration. A simile uses "like" or "as" to compare two different things, while a metaphor states that one thing is another, providing a direct comparison without using "like" or "as." Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, which also does not involve exaggeration but rather a creative way to describe objects or animals in relatable terms. Hyperbole, on the other hand, is characterized specifically by its exaggeration for effect, making it the correct figure of speech in this context.

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that relies on intentional exaggeration to emphasize a point, create a strong impression, or add humor. It is not meant to be taken literally but serves as a tool to evoke emotions or to paint a vivid picture in the reader's or listener's mind. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” is a hyperbole that exaggerates the speaker's hunger to make it more impactful.

Simile and metaphor are both comparisons but do not inherently involve exaggeration. A simile uses "like" or "as" to compare two different things, while a metaphor states that one thing is another, providing a direct comparison without using "like" or "as." Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities, which also does not involve exaggeration but rather a creative way to describe objects or animals in relatable terms. Hyperbole, on the other hand, is characterized specifically by its exaggeration for effect, making it the correct figure of speech in this context.