You’ve probably heard phrases like “The sun smiled down on us” or “The flowers danced in the breeze.” Do you know that these are not just poetic expressions? They are examples of personification figure of speech. It is a powerful tool in English that gives human traits to non-human things. Personification is used to breathe life into writing, to make it more vivid, emotional, and imaginative. In this blog, we’ll explore the definition of personification, provide examples, and explain how to use it effectively. Additionally, you’ll find a fun exercise to help you strengthen your grammar and boost your creativity. Let’s dive in!
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As per Merriam Webster’s definition, personification figure of speech is “the Attribution of personal qualities. Especially: representation of a thing or abstraction as a person or by the human form”
In simple language, personification is a figure of speech where we give human-like qualities to inanimate objects as well as non-living things like abstract ideas, animals, or objects, to make their description more relatable and vivid.
These human-like qualities can be anything, from actions to thoughts to even emotions. We often use these human traits, like emotions, actions, desires, and speech, in metaphorical language to make spoken and written language more engaging.
One of the examples of personification figure of speech is "The old house sighed as the sun set behind it." In this sentence, even though the house is a non-living thing, we are making it seem like it can feel the weariness or peace as the day ends. Which is something only humans can do.
This literary device of English grammar might sound like something that only writers would use. However, it is more commonly used in our day-to-day language than you might have guessed.
Below are some personification examples that show how this figure of speech brings language to life. These will give you a better understanding of the use case of personification so that you can use it effectively as well.
1. The wind howled in anger as the storm approached: In this example, the wind is being given the ability to howl as well as feel anger
2. The clock stared at me from across the room: In this figure of speech personification, we are describing the clock as if it can watch or stare like a person.
3. The stars winked playfully in the night sky: Here, we are using the word “winked” to give the stars’ twinkle a human-like ability.
4. The city never sleeps: Here, the city is being treated as a person that stays awake all night.
5. The angry clouds marched across the sky: In this sentence, we are giving clouds, which are a non-human entity, an emotion (anger) and the human action of marching.
6. The sun peeked over the hills: Here, we are describing the sun as if it can peek over the hills like a child.
7. Opportunity knocked on her door: In this personification example, we are talking about an abstract concept of opportunity to personify as someone who knocks.
8. The morning sun stretched its golden arms across the sky: We are making the sun do human-like emotions of stretching after waking up.
9. The laptop refused to turn on: This is another great example of personification figure of speech, which is used in everyday conversation. Here, we are using the word “refuse” to describe acting like a stubborn person.
10. The book begged to be read again: Lastly, in this sentence, we are creating an emotional appeal by making it seem as if the book is begging.
These are just a few personification examples that you can use in your day-to-day language, but what is the right way to use them? And how can you use them correctly in a sentence? Below is how to use figure of speech personification in a sentence correctly.
You can use personification in a sentence to give deeper meaning to an object, as well as to describe something more concisely. Keep in mind that, just like a simile, which compares two things using "like" or "as," personification figure of speech is figurative, so you cannot use it in formal essays as well as professional and technical writing.
Below are some common use cases of personification:
1. They are primarily used to help readers empathise with objects or non-human entities.
2. We also use them to get a better understanding of relationships between non-human forces and humans.
3. Another way we can use them is to give a deeper emotional connection to various characteristics of humans.
4. Lastly, to put more focus on inanimate elements in a sentence.
You can keep these four use cases in your mind while using personification figure of speech to make your sentences and descriptions more vivid, as well as imaginative and emotionally engaging.
Additionally, you should also try to consider what is the mood and purpose of your writing. This will help you in matching and enhancing the meaning of your sentences without sounding forced.
Did you know that the personification figure of speech has been used in some of the most famous literary works by iconic authors like William Shakespeare, George Orwell, Charles Dickens, and many more?
Personification has been used for centuries by writers to make abstract or distant ideas easier to understand for readers. Below, we have curated a list of some well-known examples of personification from celebrated literary works:
1. William Shakespeare – “Romeo and Juliet”
“When well-appareled April on the heel
Of limping winter treads.”
In this, Shakespeare is personifying April and Winter to illustrate the change of seasons vividly and theatrically.
2. George Orwell – Animal Farm
In George Orwell’s much-celebrated Animal Farm, the animals are given human traits like speech, reason, and political motives. This makes the whole novel a great resource for learning about personification figure of speech examples. A famous line from this is:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
In this line, Orwell is criticising human political systems through the actions of animals.
3. Carl Sandburg – “Chicago”
“Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders.”
This is a great example where a non-living entity (The city of Chicago) is being personified as a working-class individual.
4. William Wordsworth – “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”
“The daffodils...
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
This is a famous poem by William Wordsworth where the daffodils are personified by giving them human abilities to "flutter" and "dance." This is used to emphasise the beauty and the moment of flowers.
5. William Shakespeare – “Macbeth”
“The night has been unruly.
Where we lay,
Our chimneys were blown down, and, as they say,
Lamentings heard i' the air, strange screams of death,
And prophesying with accents terrible.”
In this scene of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the night is personified as being "unruly.” This is used to suggest that the darkness itself is chaotic and out of control, to reflect on the turmoil and violence that was happening in the play.
6. Charles Dickens – “A Tale of Two Cities”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...”
In this line of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, the time is being personified as if it can embody two opposite forces: the best and the worst. This is used to put more emphasis on extreme contrasts in the novel's setting.
Now that you have a better understanding of personification figure of speech definition and examples, you can test your knowledge with the exercise below. Here, you have to choose the personification from the three options below.
Question 1
a) The tree stood tall in the field.
b) The tree was full of leaves.
c) The tree whispered in the wind.
Question 2
a) The wind howled through the night.
b) The wind was cold.
c) The wind danced across the meadow.
Question 3
a) The river flowed calmly.
b) The river sang a gentle tune.
c) The river was deep and fast.
Question 4
a) The flowers were colourful.
b) The flowers nodded in the breeze.
c) The flowers bloomed in the spring.
Question 5
a) The moon hid behind the clouds.
b) The moon was full and bright.
c) The moon watched over the night.
Question 6
a) The house groaned under the weight of the storm.
b) The house stood silently at the end of the street.
c) The house was old and creaky.
Question 7
a) The mountain loomed over the valley.
b) The mountain reached for the sky.
c) The mountain was covered in snow.
Question 8
a) The stars twinkled brightly.
b) The stars danced across the sky.
c) The stars were shining.
Answers:
1. (c) The tree whispered in the wind.
2. (a) The wind howled through the night.
3. (b) The river sang a gentle tune.
4. (b) The flowers nodded in the breeze.
5. (c) The moon watched over the night.
6. (a) The house groaned under the weight of the storm.
7. (b) The mountain reached for the sky.
8. (b) The stars danced across the sky.
To sum up our blog, personification figure of speech that is an important part of English grammar, which can improve your language proficiency. With it, you will be able to create vivid images, enhance your emotional connection, and make abstract ideas even more relatable. In our blog above, we gave you a personification figure of speech definition and examples, along with how you can use them in a sentence. If you want to improve your understanding of various figures of speech, like metaphor, then you can connect with our experts at Gradding.com for tailored support! Connect today!
1. What is Personification?
Personification is a way we speak or talk about inanimate or non-human entities like animals, ideas, and objects as if they were people or human-like. We give them feelings or actions that are generally done by humans to make our description of them more interesting and easier to imagine.
2. How is Personification Different from a Metaphor?
Personification is a specific type of metaphor that focuses on human characteristics. The main difference between metaphor and personification is that personification gives human traits to non-human things. Whereas a metaphor compares two different things by saying one is the other.
3. What is A Simile and How is it Different from a Personification?
We use a simile to compare two different things by using words like “like” or “as” (Her smile was as bright as the sun). On the other hand, personification gives human qualities to non-human things (The sun smiled at us). While Similes show similarity, personification gives life to things.
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