While hyperbole is a very versatile literary device, its primary purpose is either to make the reader laugh, or to enhance a point the writer wishes to make. Specifically, it can replace more boring and shopworn phrases with something much more memorable! The basic purposes of hyperbole In your own stories, selective use of hyperbole can do the same thing. But the phrase easily conveys the idea that “they’re hungry enough to eat a lot of anything” in a much more evocative way than if he’d simply said “I’m so hungry.” Everyone’s heard at least one person in their lives talk about being “so hungry they could eat a horse.” Logically, the person’s stomach couldn’t contain an entire horse, and horsemeat probably isn’t their first choice. One of the reasons that hyperbole is so effective in a story is that hyperbole is a major part of our daily lives. For example, hyperbole can heighten comedic moments, enhance sarcasm, or even lend your characters a mythic flair. Hyperbole is a specialized type of literary device that uses exaggeration in order to enhance certain narrative effects on the reader. But in the wrong hands, hyperbole can make both your characters and your stories seem like a joke.īut what is hyperbole? What role does it serve in writing, and how can you use it the right way? Keep reading to discover the answers! The literary definition of hyperbole In the right hands, writers can use hyperbole to create memorable quotes and iconic characters.