What is the difference between hyperbole and litotes?

Both hyperbole and litotes are figures of speech that involve exaggeration, but they achieve this effect in different ways:

Hyperbole

* Definition: A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a strong effect.

* Method: It directly overstates the truth, often using words like "all," "every," "never," "completely," or "totally."

* Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" (You're obviously not going to eat a horse, but it emphasizes how hungry you are.)

Litotes

* Definition: A figure of speech that uses understatement to emphasize a point or create a stronger effect.

* Method: It employs double negatives or expresses something by negating its opposite, often using words like "not bad," "not unimportant," or "not terrible."

* Example: "He's not the sharpest tool in the shed." (This implies that he is actually quite stupid, but in a less direct way.)

In short:

* Hyperbole: "Exaggerates the truth."

* Litotes: "Understates the truth."

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

| Feature | Hyperbole | Litotes |

|---|---|---|

| Definition | Exaggeration | Understatement |

| Method | Direct overstatement | Double negatives or negating the opposite |

| Example | "I'm so tired I could sleep for a year." | "He's not exactly a genius." |

Remember: While both figures of speech use exaggeration, they have distinct purposes and achieve their effects through different techniques. Hyperbole uses direct exaggeration to create a strong impact, while litotes uses subtle understatement to convey a point with ironic or humorous effect.