This document defines and provides examples of personification, a type of figurative language where non-human objects or ideas are given human attributes or abilities. It explains that personification helps writers create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. Examples are given such as describing a sailboat dancing or flames eating hungrily. Readers are prompted to identify personification in sample sentences and provided guidance on creating their own sentences using personification.

1. PERSONIFICATION
Human Characteristics

2. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)4
EXPLANATION
Sometimes a writer will give human
characteristics to nonhuman things.
Objects, ideas, places or animals
may be given human qualities. They
may perform human actions. This
type of figurative language is called
personification. It helps the writer
create an exciting picture in the
reader’s mind.

3. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)5
EXAMPLES:
• The sailboat danced gracefully
past us.
• The flames ate hungrily at the
burning house.
• The once-proud trees bent
meekly before the storm.
• The broad, flat rock lay sunning
itself by the stream.

4. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)6
PRACTICE
• Directions:
• Read the sentence, think about the
meaning, notice how personification
creates a word picture. Identify the
personification in each sentence.
1. The fog crept silently into the valley.
2. The tree fought the wind with its branches
3. The computer devoured information all day
long.
4. The hikers left the meadow and were
swallowed by the forest.

5. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)7
REVIEW
• Sometimes a writer will give human
characteristics to nonhuman things.
• Objects, ideas, places, or animals
may be given human qualities.
• They may perform human actions.
• This type of figurative language is
called personification.

6. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)8
USING
PERSONIFICATION
• Write three sentences that use
personification.
• Be sure to give some human quality
to some nonhuman thing.
• Choose one sentence and draw a
detailed picture that illustrates the
personification in the sentence.

7. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)9
HELPFUL HINTS
• To recognize personification:
1. Read the sentence carefully.
2. Try to see the meaning of the
words in your mind.
3. Notice how personification
creates a word picture and
makes the sentence more
interesting.

8. Map Tap Personification (figurative language)9
HELPFUL HINTS
• To recognize personification:
1. Read the sentence carefully.
2. Try to see the meaning of the
words in your mind.
3. Notice how personification
creates a word picture and
makes the sentence more
interesting.