Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Vocabulary – Grade 8 Practice Test

The literary device characterized by exaggeration or overstatement is hyperbole. This technique is often used to create a strong emotional response or to emphasize a particular point. For example, saying "I've told you a million times" is an exaggerated way to express frustration over repeated requests. Hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally; rather, it enhances the meaning or impact of a statement through its dramatic flair.

On the other hand, a metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things without using "like" or "as," which can create vivid imagery but does not specifically imply exaggeration. A simile, which does employ "like" or "as" in its comparisons, also focuses more on creating resemblance rather than overstatement. Alliteration involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words to create rhythm or focus in language, but it does not engage with exaggeration either.