Personification
Personification is giving human qualities, feelings, actions, or characteristics to non-living objects.
This helps the reader see the object in a new and different way. Look at the word that names the
human quality. What does that word mean? How does it make you feel?
Examples:
The window winked in the bright sunlight.
Object being personified: window
Human quality: winked (What do you think of when you hear the word winked?)
Effect: It is a bright, sunny cheerful, happy day full of sunshine and warmth.
The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.
Object being personified: rain
Human quality: kissed (What do you think of when you hear the word kissed?)
Effect: The rain is falling softly and gently. This is a pleasant feeling and a positive experience.
The rickety, old stairs moaned a warning of danger as I began to climb.
Object being personified: stairs
Human quality: moaned a warning (What do you think of when you hear the word moaned?)
Effect: The stairs are dangerous. This is a bit of a scary, uninviting place and the person should
be wary. This could be foreshadowing!
In the following sentences, identify the thing being personified and then explain what it
helps the reader understand or the effect of the personification.
1. The snow whispered as it fell to the drift-covered ground.
Object being personified: ______________________________
Human quality: ____________________________
Effect of the personification: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. The water smiled invitingly to the hot swimmers.
Object being personified: ______________________________
Human quality: ____________________________
Effect of the personification: _________________________________
_________________________________________________________
3. The china dishes danced on the shelves during the earthquake.
Object being personified: ______________________________
Human quality: ____________________________
Effect of the personification: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4. The trees rocked and angrily waved their arms in the fierce storm.
Object being personified: ______________________________
Human quality: ____________________________
Effect of the personification: _______________________________
__________________________________________________
Personification: Giving the qualities of a person to something that is not human.
Circle the example that includes a personification.
a. Clouds were playing in the sky.
b. The sky was filled with clouds
a. The water in the ocean was extremely warm.
b. The warm ocean waters embraced me.
a. The cattails waved goodbye to departing dragonflies.
b. The cattails’ leaves bounced up and down when the dragonflies flew away.
a. It rains frequently in April.
b. April is a weepy month.
Now, let’s write some personifications!
Write a personification about this sun.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Write a personification about this car.
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________