Sssdirect.com - That's A Hyperbolic Understatement If I Ever Heard One
There are at least sixty different types of rhetorical devices in English literature. The English language is an odd mixture of truth and symbolism and most often exhibits this propensity in the form of various figures of speech. Of all the types of symbolic or rhetorical devices used, hyperbole is the most common. The use of hyperbole may remind you of William Shatner and his propensity to overact.Worsley Online School asked visitors to come up with examples of hyperbole. Here are a few of the best examples from school-aged children. (Source: www.worsleyschool.net)
"My sister uses so much makeup when she smiles her cheeks fall off." Ed
"My Teacher's so old she's mentioned in the Old Testament." Kaysie
"My dog is so ugly the fire hydrants disguise themselves!" Cara
"My city is so isolated it takes three days just to get to the grocery store!" Ashley
"Your sister is so dumb, she walked by the YMCA and thought they spelled MACY'S wrong" Alicia
"My history teacher's so old, he lived through everything we've learned about ancient Greece" Ryan
"Saskatchewan is so flat, you can see your dog run away for 4 days!" Jenna
"It was so cold, even the polar bears were wearing jackets." Elizabeth
The opposite demonstration of this rhetorical device is called ‘Understatement'.
This method draws the reader in by providing a statement that does not seem to fully appreciate the impact of event or situation.
Situation: The temperature outside is 10 below zero.
Hyperbole: It is so cold outside your words freeze. No one can hear you until the spring thaw..
Understatement: It might get a little cool today.
Situation: A chef prepares a wonderful dinner.
Hyperbole: The food was so good it got time off for behavior.
Understatement: The food was tolerable.
Situation: Viewing a NASCAR race.
Hyperbole: The car was so fast I heard a sonic boom.
Understatement: The cars drove at a fair clip.
Authors use hyperbole and understatement in both fiction and non-fiction writing, however it is safe to say that the use of hyperbole is much more widely used. Hyperbole is often used excessively and may not be as clever for the reader as we imagined when we devised the hyperbolic line.
As with almost everything in life the use of hyperbole and understatement are best used in moderation. The use of hyperbole may help define a character in a storyline but there is a significant amount of hyperbole that has been relegated to colloquialism and often becomes cliché to the reader.
Tags: Writing, Christian Writing, Freelance Writing, Freelance Writer, Hyperbole, Writing
'I Can Write A Book In A Weekend,' And Five Other Annoying Things Beginners Say
Since every literate person can write, most people think they can be writers. Interestingly enough, we all can speak quite well, but few of us would deem ourselves ‘speakers.' However, this prevalent belief encourages beginners to say the oddest things th
"Do I Have Writing Talent?" It's A Mistaken Question
Over the years, many people have asked me to look at their writing. "I need to know, do I have talent or not," they say. "Then I'll know if I should pursue writing or stick to accounting." Their request is seriously flawed, I'd reply.
"Don't Polish The Turd," And Other Oddball Writing Advice That Works
Even with a dozen published books to my name, I sometimes need a dose of inspiration when I sit down to write. Above my desk, I've posted a paper with various pieces of fiction-writing wisdom I've collected over the years. Some of the advice may sound odd
You're Not Done Yet: Eight Strengtheners For Your Sales Copy
Writing sales copy for a new or to-be-relaunched product takes a lot of energy and concentration. When you finish that first draft, take a rest. Then go back to what you've written with this sales copy checklist, which outlines the eight most frequent cor
Your Book Arrives From Your New York Publisher!
A large box arrives from a New York Publisher. It's here—YOUR BOOK! You hurriedly rip it open and take the first book out. There it is...YOUR NAME as the author of your first book. You forget to breathe and your heart skips a beat in excitement. You caress
Young Writers
If you are between the ages of 8 to 18 and love to write, be it short stories, plays or poems, then you are a young writer. For the writer nothing is more satisfying than finishing a story, play, poem etc. In fact some young writers decide to make it thei
Writing: Getting Started
Are you having difficulty writing? Do you find it hard to even get started? You probably already are an "acclaimed author" and don't even know it. Your emails and message board discussions are key seeds to informative and interesting web content
Writing What You Want To Write: Personal Innovation
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. - Dale Carnegie Some of the special skills discussed in writing may have you feeling as if there is really no room
Writing Well For The Web
If you expect your potential clients to read the texts on your site, be especially particular about the content. Writing for the web has its own peculiarities in comparison with common publications. It is known that 79% Internet users just skip over the
Writing Twenty Novels (In Ten Easy Steps!)
During a recent telephone conversation, I mentioned having sent off the last revisions for my twentieth novel, “Great Sky Woman.” There was a silence on the other side of the phone, followed by the question “How in the world do you do that? Twenty novels!
Writing That Resume
When preparing your resume make sure the skills you list are accurately conveying your experience and knowledge in each area. It is also recommended that time be spent reviewing the skills the company is looking for in order to highlight these skills in a
Writing Success: What Does It Mean To You?
Like most creative professions the question of a qualified success in writing is not easy to concentrate into one definitive answer. Just as there are a multitude of writing styles, so too are there many examples of writing success. Examples 1. "I
Writing Style: Are You A Real Writer?
I hear it all the time from my students and at the seminars and workshops I lead. The writers that I work with are excited to work with a "real" writer. Most people define a "real" writer as one who is published. Therefore I, with thre
Writing Stories
There's nothing like writing a story. It is a truly satisfying creative process. In order to write a story that people will enjoy. You need to understand the key elements that all good writers use in stories. In this article we will explore these elements
Writing Short Articles Is Easy
Short article writing is as not as difficult as you think. No, it is not a daunting task if you know what to do. Just remember that when you write, the important thing is that you catch your reader's attention. You must make them want to read what you