What literary device involves an intentional exaggeration for emphasis or effect?

The literary device that involves intentional exaggeration for emphasis or effect is hyperbole. Hyperbole is often used to create a strong impression or to evoke strong feelings. It can add humor or dramatic flair to a narrative or poem by stretching the truth to emphasize a point or highlight a particular characteristic. For instance, saying "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse" is a common example of hyperbole—it exaggerates the speaker's hunger to convey intensity, rather than suggesting a literal possibility.

In contrast, irony conveys a meaning that is opposite to what is stated, often for humorous or emphatic effect, but it does not inherently involve exaggeration. Symbolism is a device where symbols are used to represent ideas or qualities, focusing on deeper meanings rather than exaggeration. An oxymoron combines contradictory terms (like "deafening silence"), which creates a unique effect but is not based on exaggeration either. Therefore, hyperbole stands out as the device rooted specifically in intentional exaggeration.