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What is Hyperbole?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

There are about a million ways to define hyperbole, but I'm not one to exaggerate for comical, ironic or dramatic effect. I would jump off a cliff before I'd ever use hyperbole in a definition.

The preceding message helps to define what hyperbole is and why a writer might choose to use it. The term is used for a deliberate exaggeration used for dramatic or comic effect in literature. While there may be many examples, using the figure "one million" is a deliberate exaggeration used as shorthand for some significantly high number. The same holds true for the extreme threat of jumping off a cliff. By using dramatic wording, the writer communicates an unspoken level of devotion or passion.

Hyperboles might be used with the intention of infusing literature with humor.
Hyperboles might be used with the intention of infusing literature with humor.

The use of hyperbole as a figure of speech hinges on deliberate exaggeration for a desired effect. If the statement is objectively true, there is no hyperbole. One might say, "The Sears tower is the tallest building in all of Chicago." without any sense of exaggeration or irony.

Another writer might say, "Our new school is large enough to have its own zip code." Obviously few buildings would actually meet this standard, so the exaggeration is for comic or dramatic effect.

There are entire industries built around the power of hyperbole. Advertising agencies routinely use it to build up their client's products and services in the consumers' minds. A new toothpaste, automobile or electronic gadget must be the healthiest, fastest or coolest thing in town.

Many consumers have grown accustomed to such fantastic or hyperbolic claims. Their common mantra is "Don't believe the hype." The word hype is actually derived from the word hyperbole.

The movie industry also depends heavily on the power of hyperbole. Whenever a new motion picture or television program is released, the studio's promotional department will use selected quotes to hype their products, with statements like "The leading man gives the performance of a lifetime!" It really doesn't matter if the actor also gave "the performance of a lifetime" three times the previous year. Without hyperbole, advertisers, storytellers and publicists would probably be looking for other lines of work.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular LanguageHumanities contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular LanguageHumanities contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon314803

The movie was so depressing it would be no surprise to me if every member of the audience spontaneously hanged themselves! That's hyperbole.

anon60455

Well, typically, "Two Thumbs Up! Way up" is not a hyperbole, it isn't exaggerating anything. it just means that they liked it. -Kitty

Juxtapose

I would disagree that, "Mel Gibson gives the performance of a lifetime!" or "Siskel and Roeper give this movie two thumbs up. Way up!" to be an example of hyperbole. Based on your assertion that, "If the statement is objectively true, there is no hyperbole." Objectively those reviews are matters of opinion, and are not meant to be hyperbole. The use isn't blatant exaggeration if it is capitalizing on an objective statement.=) As for the art of hyperbole, I would guess to say, that it has limited usage in Hollywood would have to be the biggest understatement in the history of all time. =))

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    • Hyperboles might be used with the intention of infusing literature with humor.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Hyperboles might be used with the intention of infusing literature with humor.