PERSONIFICATION FOR KIDS - trunking

What is Personification? Giving Human Qualities to Non-Humans

Personification is a literary device where you give human qualities, actions, or feelings to non-human things like animals, objects, or ideas. It's like making the wind whisper secrets or the sun smile down on you! By using personification, writers and speakers can make their descriptions more vivid and engaging.

Understanding Personification

Imagine saying, "The wind howled through the night." The wind can't actually howl like a wolf or a person, right? But by using the word "howled," we understand that the wind was strong and noisy. That's personification in action! It helps us connect with the non-human world in a more relatable way. personalised tractor book

Examples of Personification

Let's look at some more examples:

• "The stars danced in the sky." (Stars can't dance!)
• "The clock ticked impatiently." (Clocks don't feel impatient!)
• "Opportunity knocked on his door." (Opportunity can't literally knock!)
• "The flowers nodded their heads in the breeze." (Flowers don't have heads to nod!)

In each of these examples, a non-human thing is described using human actions or emotions. personalized tractor book This creates a more imaginative and interesting picture in our minds.

Why Do We Use Personification?

Writers use personification to make their writing more interesting, creative, and memorable. It can help readers understand abstract ideas by making them more concrete and relatable. pert practice test valencia For example, instead of just saying "Time passed quickly," you could say "Time flew by," which paints a more vivid picture of time moving swiftly.

Personification in Literature and Everyday Life

You'll find personification everywhere, from classic literature to everyday conversations. Think about cartoons where animals talk and act like humans – that's a form of personification! pert test valencia You might also hear people say things like, "My computer is being stubborn today," giving the computer a human-like quality of stubbornness.

For more information about personification, you can visit Wikipedia's article on Personification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personification

What is the difference between personification and anthropomorphism?

Personification gives human qualities to non-human things, usually in a brief and symbolic way. Anthropomorphism gives non-human things full human characteristics, often allowing them to speak, wear clothes, and live like humans. Think of talking animals in a cartoon – that's anthropomorphism.

Can animals be personified?

Yes! While animals are living things, they are still often given additional human-like qualities through personification. For example, "The dog smirked mischievously" gives the dog a human expression and intent.

Is personification a type of metaphor?

Yes, personification is a type of metaphor. It uses a comparison to give non-human things human qualities, creating a figurative, rather than literal, meaning.

How can I identify personification in a sentence?

Look for instances where non-human things are described with human actions, emotions, or characteristics. If the sun is "smiling" or the wind is "whispering," you've likely found personification.

What is the purpose of using personification in writing?

The purpose is to make writing more engaging, creative, and understandable. It helps readers connect with the subject matter on a deeper level and creates a more vivid image in their minds.

Summary

Personification is a powerful tool that writers use to bring their words to life. By giving human qualities to non-human things, they create more interesting and memorable descriptions. So next time you read about the "angry storm clouds," you'll know you've spotted personification!