Hyperbole (high-per-bah-lee) is by far the best thing the ancient Greeks gave us (sorry philosophy, epic poetry, and thick, fat-free yogurt).
It works precisely because it draws attention to itself. An overwrought metaphor can kill an entire page. A too-literal analogy might drive a whole argument to the gutter. A subtle hyperbole? Get outta here, (oxy)moron! The more ridiculous the exaggeration (hyperbole is a descendant of the Greek word for excess), the more entertaining the effect.
Today, let’s talk about how to use these deliciously over-baked word pastries in your writing (wasn’t that the best overwrought metaphor, ever?).
But first, some inspiration from the masters:
I was quaking from head to foot, and could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far.
(Mark Twain, Old Times on the Mississippi)
At that time Bogota was a remote, lugubrious city where an insomniac rain had been falling since the beginning of the 16th century.
(Gabriel García Márquez, Living to Tell the Tale)
Bar no holds
The key to good hyperbole is taking it far enough. Not doing so can leave your writing awkwardly ambiguous. Take this sentence:
I was so miserable as a kid, I don’t think I laughed until I turned twelve.
Is it exaggeration? Black humor? An expression of a truly awful childhood? Context might have helped us here, but it’s hard to tell from the statement itself. Now, take a look at this (warning: these might be the best two minutes of your life):
I know, I know: we can’t all aspire to Monty Pythonesque levels of brilliance. But the point is clear, hopefully: don’t be shy of pushing your hyperbolic moments to absurdity. That’s where they belong.
Drop it with precision
For the ridiculousness of hyperbole to work, you have to exercise good judgment in choosing when — and how often — to deploy it. As the clip above proves, you can create entire pieces built around playful exaggeration. If you enjoy writing satire or parody on your blog, you could experiment with a post that lampoons a cultural phenomenon or political position that way (to name a couple of obvious examples).
More often than not, though, hyperbole works best when it’s surrounded by straight-up prose — the contrast between regular declarative sentences and the hyperbolic statement will amplify its effect, whether you’re aiming for laughs, shock, or some other emotional reaction from your reader.
It’s important to note that not all hyperbole comes in the shape of a highly polished rhetorical gem. We’re actually surrounded by hyperbole in everyday speech: “this is taking forever,” “I’d bet a million bucks,” “that’s the best thing ever,” and even “LOL” (among many others) are used all the time.
Used in the right context, or with added exaggeration (“I’d bet a gazillion Ducats!”), these humble phrases pack an impressive rhetorical punch.
Mix and match
Too much of only one good thing can get annoying — yes, you can overdo exaggeration. Mixing up your rhetorical and other devices is always a good idea, and even more so when it comes to hyperbole. For example, understatement works particularly well next to hyperbole. These two contrasting figures feed off each other’s energy, often to great effect. A case in point is this famous JFK zinger:
I think this is the most extraordinary collection of human talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House — with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.
(John F. Kennedy, speaking at the White House to dozens of Nobel Prize laureates)
Another great way to use hyperbole is in lists — the natural buildup that comes with the format is a perfect fit for increasingly over-the-top humor. Alternatively, the poets (and poetry lovers) among you might also take a stab at some hyperbolic verse. Whether you’ll be extolling the unparalleled beauty of your parakeet or making fun of anyone who would, you’ll be in good company:
To lift Gertrude up almost broke all their beaks
And to fly her back home, it took almost two weeks
And then it took almost another week more
To pull out those feathers. My, Gertrude was sore!
(Dr. Seuss, The Big Brag)
If it’s good enough for Dr. Seuss, only the most obstinate, humorless, tedious killjoy would object. And that’s an understatement.
Currently blogless? You’re a click away from sharing your story.
Create your blog at WordPress.com
Love it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hyperbole is an interesting tool to create an exaggerated image, yet believable if thought of as a metaphor, which doesn’t remain so because of the level of exaggeration. That is what I believe.
An interesting article. I liked the various ways of using hyperbole that you have mentioned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think hyperbole can be especially effective if the person who is writing it has already established some sort of comedic personality on their blog. Otherwise it might be wrongly introduced and no one will get it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately, this technique in writing is being used by the news media now. The only thing they’re missing is exclamation points.
LikeLiked by 2 people
well, if it weighs the same as a duck, then it must be hyperbole.
LikeLiked by 2 people
How can you discuss Hyperbole w/out mentioning the master? Stan Lee. Excelsior!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was just too momentously incredible, even for this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely made me laugh! One uppers… gotta love them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made my day…especially noteworthy was seeing the word ‘lugubrious’ used somewhere other than a sentence describing Rachmaninov
LikeLiked by 1 person
The orginal’s better cause its got Marty Feldman
LikeLiked by 2 people
that video was superfun, even my my eyelashes couldn’t stop laughing! *winks*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice article! Thanx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Ben. I enjoyed reading this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post is the best thing I have EVER read!!! EVERYONE should read this post!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this post, I think hyperbole is the salt and pepper of a writing especially if it supposed to be read by a lot of people because it brings your thoughts and opinions to a higher level and “up there” it is up to the reader to put the jigsaw pieces all together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
love it
LikeLike
LOL.. wow,, I tell you what all of this was interesting,. I suppose when it comes down to it ” pick your poison ” after all, your not going to be able to communicate a lot of humor to everyone,. you would be surprised that some people dont get it.lol thats like the same as f***ing up a cup of simple coffee..LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is why we love to use hyperbole. Thanks, WP, for the post!
LikeLike
This post is so awesome, I think I’ll print it out and frame it! … How was that?
LikeLike
Very awesome post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome post! So true.
LikeLike
“I was so miserable as a kid, I don’t think I laughed until I turned twelve.” Did you make that up yourself? What a hilarious hyperbole!
Does the wittiness in hyperboles come with time? Or is it something most people naturally do? Often times when I do this, I feel like I’m trying too hard to be funny… which in the end, is never funny at all
LikeLiked by 1 person
can look to Monty Python for plenty ideas, but this was hyperbole fun and great for a learning tool. Thanks.
LikeLike
This is brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post is so good, I think Hemingway himself is going to come back from the grave just to click Like!
LikeLike
When used for humour it is great. It is also used in conspiracy rhetoric and there is seemingly no claim too ridiculous for their like. I am sure they are going for effective, but without the humour or the irony it sounds as if the person using it is unhinged.
LikeLike
This was, literally, the best article ever! So enraptured, was I, reading this that I forgot to breathe. When air once again entered my bosom, I was so moved that I wept and those tears then, in turn, drowned my poor cat (literally).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this is literally the best use of “literally” I’ve ever seen.
LikeLike
I love this. Monty Python is one of mtg favorite series, as I got hooked on it when I was in college, before I owned a TV worth viewing. I used to check out the DVDs from the public library and be entertained for hours on end! This sketch actually made me laugh so hard, I actually surprised myself and snorted (NOT COKE)!
LikeLike
LOVED it!!!
LikeLike
And a word I can’t stand, for some reason. Maybe listening to media usage of same.
LikeLiked by 1 person