Personification: what it is and how to use it

Have you ever heard the wind whisper or seen the sun smile? These aren’t just poetic flourishes—they’re examples of personification, a literary device that breathes life into the lifeless. By giving human traits to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas, personification transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. It’s a writer’s secret weapon for crafting vivid imagery and forging emotional connections. Let’s explore what personification is, how it works, and why it’s such a game-changer in writing.

What it is

Personification is a literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas. Essentially, it’s giving non-human things human characteristics.

• Creating imagery: Personification helps create vivid and relatable images in the reader’s mind.
• Figurative language: It’s a type of figurative language, meaning it’s not meant to be taken literally.
• Giving human traits: Personification involves describing something non-human as if it were a person. This can include emotions, actions, or physical characteristics.

How to use it

• Identify the non-human subject: First, decide what you want to personify. It could be anything from the wind to a computer.
• Choose human qualities: Think about which human characteristics would best suit your subject. Consider emotions (like anger, joy, or sadness), actions (like whispering, dancing, or shouting), or physical traits (like a smile or a frown).
• Incorporate into your writing: Use verbs, adjectives, or phrases that convey those human qualities.

Examples

• “The wind whispered through the trees.” (Giving the wind the human action of whispering)
• “The sun smiled down on us.” (Giving the sun the human emotion of smiling)
• “The angry storm raged through the night.” (Giving the storm the human emotion of anger)
• “The old house groaned under the weight of the snow.” (Giving the house the human action of groaning)

Why use personification?

• Adds emotional depth: It can evoke emotions and create a stronger connection with the reader.
• Creates vivid imagery: It makes writing more engaging and helps readers visualize the scene.
• Enhances storytelling: It can add depth and richness to stories and poems.
• Makes abstract ideas relatable: It can make complex or abstract concepts easier to understand.

Basically, personification is a powerful tool for writers to bring their descriptions to life and create a more immersive experience for their readers.

Conclusion

In the end, personification does more than decorate a sentence—it invites readers into a world where storms can rage with anger and houses groan with exhaustion. This simple yet powerful tool adds depth, emotion, and relatability to writing, turning flat descriptions into living scenes. Whether you’re penning a poem or unraveling an abstract idea, personification brings your words to life, making them dance, weep, or sing in the minds of your audience. So, next time you write, let the world around you speak—what will it say?