Exaggeration and Understatement

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1 Exaggeration and Understatement
Figures of Speech Exaggeration and Understatement Paarl Girls’ High School Grade 8 English Home Language

2 Recap: Personification Simile Metaphor E.G.? E.G.? E.G.? Comparisons
(3 types): Metaphor E.G.?

3 Onomatopoeia Alliteration Assonance E.G.? E.G.? E.G.? Sound Devices
(3 types): Assonance E.G.?

4 E.G.? E.G.? E.G.? E.G.? Sarcasm Oxymoron Paradox Irony Contradictions
(4 types): Paradox E.G.? Irony E.G.?

5 What are Figures of Speech?
We use Figures of Speech to create images or mind-pictures in order to express ourselves visually, imaginatively, and powerfully. When we speak of: The hands of a clock The foot of a mountain Having someone’s ear (attention) We are using hand, foot, and ear in a non-literal (figurative) way.

6 Today’s lesson will Focus on Exaggeration and understatement

7 What are Exaggerations?
Exaggerations are statements that represent something as a lot better or worse than it really is. For example: I have asked you be take the dog for a walk a million times today!

8 What are Understatements?
Understatements are statements that present something as being Smaller Less good Less important Than it really is.

9 Exaggeration and Understatement
Hyperbole Anti-climax Exaggeration and Understatement (5 types): Climax Euphemism Innuendo

10 Hyperbole: Questions: Derived from Greek
How do you pronounce this word? What is a hyperbole? Derived from Greek Meaning – “to throw beyond” A Hyperbole is an over-exaggeration. It is not meant to be understood literally. It aims to emphasise a point or to create humour.

11 Hyperbole: Examples and Explanations:
There were millions of ants crawling over my foot. “Millions” implies that there were several million ants crawling over my foot. This is an over-exaggeration which is not to be taken literally. She prepared enough food to feed an army. It is not possible to prepare enough food to feed an army alone.

12 Euphemism: Questions:
How do you pronounce this word? What is Euphemism? Euphemism is an indirect, or deliberately pleasant, way of referring to something unpleasant. i.e. it expresses an unpleasant or uncomfortable situation in a more sensitive, kind and tactful manner. The purpose is to soften the blow, protect someone's feelings, or to be politically correct.

13 Euphemism: Examples and Explanations:
Instead of saying, “He died in his sleep.” Rather say, “He passed away in his sleep.” Instead of saying, “The vet is going to kill my dog tomorrow.” Rather say, “The vet is going to put my dog to sleep tomorrow.” Instead of saying, “The dustmen collect our rubbish on Monday’s.” Rather say, “The sanitary disposal officers collect our waste on Monday’s.”

14 Innuendo: Questions: How do you pronounce this word? What is innuendo? Innuendo is to convey your meaning by hinting or suggesting at something. i.e. It is a disapproving remark which hints at something, without the person stating it directly. It is often used because you have something unpleasant to say.

15 Innuendo: Examples and Explanations:
I see that you are wearing a gold watch remarkably like the one I lost last month. The circled statement suggests that the speaker is hinting at something without directly stating it – i.e. “that is my watch.” Q: “Do you like my new car?” A: “I love the colour!” The fact that the answer does not answer the question directly implies that the person answering the question is hinting at something – i.e. “your new car is dreadful, but the colour is great!” Q: “Do you own an iron?” This indirectly hints at the fact that this person is wearing creased cloths.

16 Climax: Question: Derived from Greek
What is a climax? Derived from Greek Meaning “ladder” A climax is a build-up of ascending ideas. It reaches a peak, which creates excitement and heightens tension. i.e. it is when a series of statements (usually three (3) or more) gathers in importance until the last one which is the most impressive.

17 Climax: Examples and Explanations:
I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. (the oath commonly used by witnesses in a court of Law). This sentence consists of three statements which gather in importance until the last one which is the most important. I came, I saw, I conquered. He stood on the chair, looked around, stuck his hand in the cookie jar and was caught red-handed. This sentence consists of four statements which gather in importance until the last one which is the most important.

18 Anti-climax: Question:
What is an anti-climax? An anti-climax is also a build-up of ideas, but the final statement is often flat and unexpected. It is to deliberately (or carelessly) spoil the effect of a climax by putting something unsuitable (or unimportant) at the end of the series of statements.

19 Anti-climax: Examples and Explanations:
The boys looked earnestly at the speaker, listened eagerly to his words and thought of ice cream. This sentence consists of a series of three statements. The first two statements lead the listener to believe that the boys have engaged with the speaker at a deep level. The final statement is a careless statement as it spoils the effect of the climax. The rich panorama of the mountains lay before them. Dawn rendered the snowy peaks and made black, with growing shadows, the deep gullies and fissures on the rock face. Then Jane’s tummy rumbled. The above example consists of a series of four statements. The first three statements lead the listener or reader to visualise how beautiful the speakers surroundings were. The fourth statement is a careless statement as it spoils the effect of the climax.