ENGLISH BREW
FIGURES OF SPEECH
A figure of speech, is a word or
phrase that moves away from usual
language and is used to create a more
creative and beautiful impact in an expression. There are many forms of figures of speech. This month we take up
HYPERBOLE.
ing.
In sentence 2, the poetic form describes a young boy going as fast as
possible to get to school.
What is Hyperbole?
Hyperbole is used to create emphasis and is frequently seen in casual
speech. Here are some examples:
These books weigh a ton. (These
books are heavy.)
I could sleep for a year. (I could
sleep for a long time.)
I’m doing a million things right now.
(I’m busy.)
Hyperbole (pronounced hi-purr-belee) is a figure of speech in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used
to evoke strong feelings or to create a
strong impression, but is rarely meant
to be taken literally.
1) I’ll am so hungry, I could eat a
horse.
2)The boy as fast as a jet
Zooms past all
To get to school…
In sentence 1, ‘eat a horse’ only indicates the exaggeration that the person is ‘very hungry’. So ‘eat a horse’
should not be taken for its literal mean-
WORD
POWER
incarnation (noun) : in
living form – He is believed
to be an incarnation of the
Lord.
inception (noun) :
beginning – The institute has
recorded 100 per cent
results right from its
inception.
incite (verb) : motivate –
The appreciation was to
incite the students to write
more poetry.
incorrigible (adjective) :
beyond improvement –
Shyam’s behaviour is just
incorrigible.
inscribe (verb) : write and
carve on stone – The history
of the place was inscribed in
red marble.
instigate (verb) : to provoke
– Do not instigate the boy,
he can be very dangerous.
incognito (noun) :
disguised, secretly – The
man was incognito and gave
the police a slip.
to convey and emphasise unusual and
vivid images:
Red, Red Rose
O my luve’s like a red, red rose.
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my luve’s like a melodie
That’s sweetly play’d in tune...
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!
Robert Burns
How is Hyperbole used in
prose?
How is Hyperbole used in
poetry?
Hyperbole is a figure of speech,
which is commonly used in poetry.
Famous poets use this figure of speech
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