What term describes the use of exaggeration for emphasis in writing?

The correct term for the use of exaggeration for emphasis in writing is hyperbole. Hyperbole is a literary device that involves making statements that are not meant to be taken literally, but rather to convey strong feelings or create a dramatic effect. For example, if someone says, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," they are using hyperbole to emphasize their extreme hunger, not suggesting that they would actually eat a horse.

This device is often employed in poetry, storytelling, and everyday speech to create vivid images or to express emotions in a more intense way. Other literary terms mentioned have different meanings: a simile compares two unlike things using "like" or "as," alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words, and personification assigns human characteristics to non-human entities. These definitions illustrate why hyperbole is the right choice for the question.