Personification

Which of the following statements best defines the literary device of personification?

• A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.

• An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

• Giving human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.

• A word that imitates the sound it represents.

Answer explanation

Personification is a figure of speech where non-human things are described as having human attributes. The other options define simile, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia.

Which sentence contains a clear example of personification?

• The dog barked loudly at the mail carrier.

• My computer stubbornly refused to connect to the Wi-Fi.

• The tree in the front yard is very tall.

• My backpack feels heavy with all these books.

Answer explanation

This sentence gives the computer the human quality of being 'stubborn.' The other sentences are literal descriptions.

Which of the following sentences does NOT use personification?

• The city's lights winked at me from across the river.

• The cat stretched lazily in the warm patch of sun.

• The alarm clock screamed that it was time to get up.

• The last cookie on the plate was begging to be eaten.

Answer explanation

A cat is a living creature, and stretching is a natural animal action, not a uniquely human quality. The other sentences give human actions (winking, screaming, begging) to inanimate objects.

What is the primary function of personification in a story or poem?

• To provide a factual, scientific description of an object.

• To make an object or idea more relatable and vivid for the reader.

• To prove that non-human things can actually have feelings.

• To compare two different things using a connecting word.

Answer explanation

By giving human traits to something non-human, authors help readers connect with it emotionally and create a stronger mental image.

Which of the following is a literal statement and NOT an example of personification?

• The chocolate cake on the counter was calling my name.

• The old wooden stairs groaned under the movers' weight.

• The fire in the fireplace crackled and popped.

• The wind sang a sad, lonely song through the trees.

Answer explanation

'Cracked' and 'popped' are onomatopoeic words that describe the actual sounds a fire makes. The other options give human abilities (calling, groaning, singing) to non-human things.

The following sentences use personification. Sort the personified items into categories: Concrete Objects or Abstract Ideas.

Groups:

(a) Concrete Objects

,

(b) Abstract Ideas

• The rusty gate complained as it swung open.

• My phone sighed with a low battery warning.

• Justice weighs the evidence carefully before deciding.

• Fear grabbed hold of him in the dark alley.

Answer explanation

A gate and a phone are concrete objects you can touch. Fear and justice are abstract ideas or concepts. All are given human-like actions.

A writer wants to describe a storm as threatening. Which sentence uses personification most effectively to achieve this effect?

• The storm was very big and made loud noises.

• The storm was like an angry giant approaching the town.

• The storm stalked the coastline, its thunderous voice growling.

• The storm brought a lot of wind and rain.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses strong, threatening verbs ('stalked,' 'growling') to give the storm the qualities of a predator, which is a powerful and effective use of personification. The simile in the other option is also good, but this choice is pure personification.

What object is being personified in the sentence?

In other words: What object is acting like a human?

The bright orange walls screamed at her when she walked in the room.

• walls

• scream

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

The piano sang a mournful song.

Is this an example of personification?

• Personification

• NOT Personification

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4

Which one of these examples is NOT being personified.

• The bird was as tiny as a ladybug.

• The glass seemed to cry out, "Don't slobber on me".

• The sun smiled on me as it warmed the back of my legs.

• The answer said '' Pick me! Pick me!''

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5A

CCSS.RL.6.4