Personification is when human characteristics are given to something that is not human. When a figure or an object is given human characteristics, it is being personified. For example: The cat danced around the toy mouse before pouncing on it.

· Grammar. A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. Here are the basics: A metaphor states that one thing is another thing.

Personification is often achieved by using a verb typically performed by a human. Personification is also achieved by using an adjective that describes a human condition or emotion. Personification is also achieved by having something non-human possess something that only a human would.

Common Personification Examples

• Lightning danced across the sky.
• The wind howled in the night.
• The car complained as the key was roughly turned in its ignition.
• Rita heard the last piece of pie calling her name.
• My alarm clock yells at me to get out of bed every morning.

Function. Metaphor: Metaphor makes an indirect comparison between two different and unrelated things. Personification: Personification attributes human characteristics to something nonhuman.

How to Write a Personification

1. Think of the feeling you want to express or draw out.
2. Now think of a situation that would fit that feeling.
3. Use personification by describing the objects and scene as if they were people showing that feeling.

Personification connects readers with the object that is personified. Personification can make descriptions of non-human entities more vivid, or can help readers understand, sympathize with, or react emotionally to non-human characters.