HYPERBOLE
An exaggerated
statement used for
emphasis or
humorous effect.
Hyperbole is often used in prose:
It was not a mere man he was holding, but a giant; or
a block of granite. The pull was unendurable. The
pain unendurable.
—James Ramsey Ullman, “A Boy and a Man”
Hyperbole is also common in tall tales:
Paul Bunyan
Johnny Appleseed
Pecos Bill
Paul’s clothing was so large they had to use wagon
wheels for buttons.
TAKS QUESTION TIPS
MAKE SURE
You return to the passage and support
your answer with the context.
WATCH OUT!
For answers that do not support the
comparison implied with figurative
language.
SAMPLE TAKS QUESTION
In paragraph 5, the author writes, They used wagon wheels as buttons,
to show that—
A. The buttons looked like wagon wheels.
Does not support comparison implied with figurative
language.
B. The wagon wheels looked like buttons.
Does not support comparison implied with figurative
language.
C. He was really big. Correct Answer
D. The wagon wheels were no longer useful to the wagon.
Does not support comparison implied with figurative
language.
TAKS STEM QUESTIONS
•
In paragraph ___, the author writes
__________ to show that_______________.
•
The description of _______________ as
_____________ means that _____________.