Which literary device involves exaggeration for effect?

The choice of hyperbole is correct because this literary device is defined by its intentional use of extreme exaggeration to create a strong impression or emphasize a point. It is not meant to be taken literally but instead aims to evoke strong feelings or provide a dramatic effect in storytelling or poetry. For instance, saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" utilizes hyperbole to express a heightened sense of hunger, making the sentiment more vivid and relatable.

In contrast, verbal irony involves saying the opposite of what is meant, using sarcasm or understatement, and does not rely on exaggeration for effect. A simile compares two different things using "like" or "as," and while it can create vivid imagery, it does not exaggerate for dramatic emphasis as hyperbole does. Lastly, personification attributes human characteristics to non-human elements, which is a different form of figurative language that does not involve exaggeration.