Which literary device is characterized by exaggeration for effect?

The correct answer is hyperbole, which is defined as a figure of speech involving exaggerated statements or claims that are not meant to be taken literally. Hyperbole is often used for emphasis or to create a strong impression, effectively evoking emotions from the audience. This device can enhance the dramatic or comedic effect in writing, making descriptions more vivid and memorable.

For example, saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" employs hyperbole, as no one would literally consume a whole horse, but the exaggeration emphasizes the speaker's extreme hunger.

On the other hand, metaphor and simile are both comparative devices that connect one concept to another, but do so without exaggeration; a metaphor asserts an identity between two things, while a simile uses "like" or "as" to draw a comparison. Personification attributes human traits to non-human entities, which helps to animate ideas or objects but does not involve exaggeration as a main characteristic. Hyperbole stands apart as the device specifically focused on exaggeration, making it the clear answer to the question.