Buzzing About Hyperboles Created by TEACHERS UNLEASHED What

Buzzing About Hyperboles Created by TEACHERS UNLEASHED

What is a Hyperbole? A hyperbole is a type of figurative language. It can often be confused with a simile because hyperboles frequently compare two things. The main ingredient in a hyperbole is an exaggeration.

Hyperbole vs. Similes are a type of figurative language that compare one thing to another. Example: He ran as fast as lightning. This is a simile because it compares how fast he runs to lightning. But, it is also a hyperbole, because no one can run as fast as lightning. It is an extreme exaggeration. Sometimes Hyperboles are also Similes.

Let’s look at some examples to help you better understand hyperboles.

His smile was a mile wide. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because no one can have a smile that is a mile wide!

That story is so old, the last time I heard it I was riding a dinosaur. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because no one lived in the time of dinosaurs!

His dog was so ugly that we had to pay the fleas to live on him. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because you cannot pay fleas to jump on a dog!

It took him two seconds to drive to my house. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because no one can drive that fast!

I was so embarrassed, I thought I might die. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because no one can die from embarrassment!

“I’ve told you to brush your teeth a thousand times, ” Mom said. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because there is no way someone can ask you to do something a thousand times.

I have 10 tons of homework to do tonight. Why is this an exaggeration? This is considered a hyperbole because no one really has 10 tons of homework.

Let’s Play… Look at the three sentences, and see if you can find the sentence that uses a hyperbole! If you can spot them all, you could win the coveted HYPERBOLE CUP!

Spot the Hyperbole a. I ate a large bowl of pasta. b. I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse. c. My stomach made noises when I was hungry.

Spot the Hyperbole a. I stayed up all night, so I was tired. b. When I got sick, I slept day and night. c. I am so tired, I could sleep for a year.

Spot the Hyperbole a. I was so nervous when I sang on stage. b. On stage, I could feel the world staring at me. c. The lights shining in my eyes were extremely bright.

Spot the Hyperbole a. The package took a million years to get to me. b. The package was delivered to my house today. c. It was the biggest package I’ve ever seen.

Spot the Hyperbole a. Babies need milk to grow strong bodies. b. I need to have milk to drink with my cookies. c. If I don’t get some milk soon, I will die!

Spot the Hyperbole a. I was wishing that the phone would ring. b. I’ve been waiting forever for him to call me! c. My phone sat quietly on the table.

CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve been awarded the Hyperbole Master

You did a buzz-tastic job of finding hyperboles. Keep hunting for more in the books that you read.