What type of figurative language involves exaggeration for effect?

Hyperbole is a type of figurative language that involves exaggeration for effect. It is used to create a strong impression or to emphasize a point by presenting an idea in an exaggerated manner. For example, saying "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse" amplifies the speaker's feelings of hunger beyond what is literally possible, evoking a more vivid emotional response from the audience.

In contrast, a metaphor involves a direct comparison between two unlike things by stating one thing is another, using descriptive imagery but without exaggeration. A simile, on the other hand, also compares two different things but does so using "like" or "as," and similarly does not rely on exaggeration but rather on resemblance. Alliteration refers to the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in close sequence, focusing on sound rather than meaning or exaggeration. Each of these forms serves its specific purpose but hyperbole particularly stands out for its expressive exaggeration.