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What is personification?

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Quick answer

Personification is a figure of speech that gives human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas. Saying 'the wind whispered' or 'the sun smiled' brings non-human things to life by describing them as if they were people. It assigns human traits, actions, or feelings to non-human things.

Key things to understand

  1. It assigns human traits, actions, or feelings to non-human things.
  2. Examples: 'the leaves danced', 'opportunity knocked', 'the clock stared at me'.
  3. It makes descriptions vivid and emotionally engaging.
  4. It's common in poetry, stories, and everyday expressions.
  5. It's a type of metaphor — comparing something to a person.

People also ask

What's an example of personification?
'The thunder grumbled', 'my alarm clock yells at me', and 'the flowers nodded in the breeze' each give human actions to non-human things.
Why do writers use personification?
To make scenes vivid and relatable, stir emotion, and let readers connect with objects or ideas as if they had feelings.
Is personification a type of metaphor?
Yes — it's a kind of metaphor that specifically compares non-human things to people by giving them human qualities.