- Definition
Exaggeration is when you make something seem bigger, worse, or more important than it really is. It's like stretching the truth a little to make a point or tell a funnier story.
Drawing a character with enormous ears to show they are a great listener is an example of exaggeration.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Exaggeration is like drawing a cartoon character with huge, surprised eyes to show exactly how they feel.
Ask your child: How would you draw someone who is super strong to show their power?
Common mix-up: Kids might think exaggeration is just a mistake in a drawing. It's actually a deliberate choice an artist makes to create a feeling or emphasize an idea.
Examples
- Making a character's smile stretch from ear to ear to show they are incredibly happy.
- Drawing a wave in the ocean as tall as a building to show its power.
exaggeration is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
