College Composition / Unit 29 CMP 0708 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Hyperbole and Understatement
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The idea
Hyperbole is exaggeration; understatement presents something as less important than it is.
In practice
"A million things on the menu" is hyperbole; "It may not have occurred to politicians that poverty affects health" is understatement, often used ironically or sarcastically.
Where people slip
Hyperbole is a staple of advertising; in analysis, ask whether the exaggeration informs or only inflates.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
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