Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Saturday, April 9, 2011

H is for Hyperbole

I could have gone with historical novel but I chose HYPERBOLE-- which is pure and simple exaggeration. It can be used to heighten effect, or for humor. Shakespeare employed HYPERBOLE extensively. Children's books often use it with great success. Think the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events books, and anything by Roald Dahl.


(This post has been inspired by and in some instances, directly quoted from A Handbook to Literature, 8th Edition, by William Harmon and C. Hugh Holman)

32 comments:

  1. This is without doubt the single greatest post of the decade.
    mood
    XD
    Moody Writing

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  2. So thats what I have been doing!

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  3. Hyperbole is a fun literary device to play with in writing. Hope your weekend is off to a great start, Karen!

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  4. I don't think I could talk at all without using hyperbole. Wonder what that says about me....?

    Great post!

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  5. Such a fun word and writing device! Those Lemony Snicket books are awesome, I read them to my kids when they were younger. Enjoy your weekend!

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  6. Hyperbole is a good tool for creating humorous characters. Once in a while you've gotta rein in the exaggeration, though.

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  7. Great post - read it through about 50 million times and it's still good :-)
    Thanks
    Karla

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  8. I think there is a fine line between hyperbole and exaggeration.

    Have a good weekend!

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  9. This is something I've not employed. Much!

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  10. I'm hyperbole with a touch of sarcasm at times.

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  11. I'm pretty sure I've used hyperbole, but didn't know until now.

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  12. Hyperbole is such a fun word to say! It is also a useful character trait to use.

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  13. I like this word. Good use of the H day.


    Gregg Metcalf
    Colossians 1:28-29

    Gospel-driven Disciples

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  14. Ha! I was going to go with hyperbole today then changed my mind and did historical fiction. :)

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  15. One of my many vices that I didn;t know I had until I went to writing school!! At least now I'm able to snip and trim them out from my stories! Take care x

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  16. such a great tool to be used in story telling.

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  17. Hyperbole...it's my life, my writing,my humor. My ideas are shaped by hyperbole. I see something happening and instantly in my mind it is transformed by hyperbole. What if? Great thoughts.

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  18. Such a fun word for a fun activity....I love me some HYPERBOLE extensively. otherwise things become bland....like prime steak with no salt. I'm a babbler, this comment could go on another two paragraphs.

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  19. Wow - just read your "hugs" post too! Two 'alphabet' posts a day for you -- you go girl!

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  20. I have A Handbook to Literature. However, mine is the (cue clear throat) 5th edition. Would it seem completely out there if I said I was given it as a baby?

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  21. Great H-word choice! I love me some HYPERBOLE too!

    I’m A-Z Blogging on Langley Writes about Writing and Langley’s Rich and Random Life

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  22. Hi Karen, You will not believe this, but it is true: While clicking on the A to Z Next link, I was thinking about you and how happy I am that I signed up for the A to Z Challenge and.....there was your blog! It came up next! OK too many!! That was really fun though. Thank you so much for hosting this and sharing so many good pointers about writing.--Inger

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  23. awesome post. hyperbole is not something I've used much.

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  24. good one, although I would've liked to hear what you had to say about historical novels. Fun fun~ :D

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  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. Robert Munsch also does great things with hyperbole in his children's books.
    -Aaron

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  27. I've told you a million times: "Don't exaggerate!"

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  28. I think our parents specialized in that word, too!

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  29. Oh, I thought it was like the Superbowl, only better. And not spelled so well.

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  30. I love that word. Have you ever read http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/ ? I first read it because of the name, now I read it because it's so very funny.

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Comments are welcome!