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)
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32 comments:

  1. mooderinoApril 9, 2011 at 6:40 AM

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

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  2. UnknownApril 9, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    So thats what I have been doing!

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  3. UnknownApril 9, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    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. The Words CrafterApril 9, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    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. MJApril 9, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    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. Bob SanchezApril 9, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    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. the writing padApril 9, 2011 at 9:16 AM

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

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  8. B's MomApril 9, 2011 at 10:58 AM

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

    Have a good weekend!

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  9. Alex J. CavanaughApril 9, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    This is something I've not employed. Much!

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  10. Donna ShieldsApril 9, 2011 at 12:39 PM

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

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  11. Amy SaiaApril 9, 2011 at 12:45 PM

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

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  12. SpanjApril 9, 2011 at 1:14 PM

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

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  13. Gregg MetcalfApril 9, 2011 at 1:22 PM

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


    Gregg Metcalf
    Colossians 1:28-29

    Gospel-driven Disciples

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  14. Luanne G. SmithApril 9, 2011 at 2:22 PM

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

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  15. Old KittyApril 9, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    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. Author Joshua HoytApril 9, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    such a great tool to be used in story telling.

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  17. TrishaApril 9, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I too love the word :D

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  18. jkraus8464April 9, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    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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  19. Wendy@FabNouveauApril 9, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    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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  20. Colette MartinApril 10, 2011 at 5:30 AM

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

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  21. Susan OloierApril 10, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    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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  22. Langley CornwellApril 10, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    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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  23. IngerApril 10, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    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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  24. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyApril 10, 2011 at 4:21 PM

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

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  25. LTMApril 10, 2011 at 6:21 PM

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

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  26. The Blogger GirlzApril 10, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  27. The Blogger GirlzApril 10, 2011 at 7:50 PM

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

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  28. Rob-bearApril 10, 2011 at 9:39 PM

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

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  29. N. R. WilliamsApril 11, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    Great word.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

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  30. L. Diane WolfeApril 11, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    I think our parents specialized in that word, too!

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  31. Simon KewinApril 11, 2011 at 6:28 AM

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

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  32. SpencApril 11, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    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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