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50 examples of personification.

• Justice is blind and, at times, deaf.
• Money is the only friend that I can count on.
• The cactus saluted any visitor brave enough to travel the scorched land.
• Jan ate the hotdog despite the arguments it posed to her digestive system.
• The world does not care to hear your sad stories.
• After freedom’s sweet kiss, she could never return to the doldrums of the factory.
• Peggy heard the last piece of cheesecake in the refrigerator calling her name.
• The sorry engine wheezed its death cough.
• Drugs dragged him into this place and they wouldn’t let him leave alive.
• The buses can be impatient around here.
• These casinos are always hungry enough to eat your dinner.
• He sang a lonely song to the moonlight.
• The candle flame danced in the dark.
• Thunder grumbled and raindrops reported for duty.
• The moon turned over to face the day.
• As fall turned to winter, the trees found themselves wearing white.
• The brown grass was begging for water.
• Our society needs strong leaders.
• One unhappy icicle wasted away in the day.
• The sunflowers nodded in the wind.
• Most pianos have pretty good manners but Stephan can make them sound rude.
• The traffic noises argued long into the night and finally Cal went to sleep.
• The angry storm pounded the tin shelter.
• A school of rainbow trout swam across the mouth of the river.
• The silence crept into the classroom.
• Father Time can always catch up to you, no matter how fast you run.
• This city never sleeps.
• The sun stretched its golden arms across the plains.
• My heart has been skipping around in my chest since I saw her.
• The child of morning, rosy fingered dawn, appeared.
• Any trust I had for him walked right out the door.
• And with those four words her happiness died.
• The cigarettes stole his health and spent it on phlegm.
• Kiss your integrity goodbye.
• The trees dropped their leaves and rested.
• I overheard the streets talking about you.
• Winter’s icy grip squeezed his rib cage.
• The business world would chew you up and spit you out.
• The clouds pushed each other around in the sky.
• He had little to live for now that his dreams were dead.
• The smell of smoke tattled on the delinquent.
• The wind whispered the rumors of the forest.
• The jittery hands of corruption orchestrated the affairs at city hall.
• Still waters shivered in the wind.
• Those greedy weeds have starved the petunias.
• A case of cupcakes can be quite charming to an empty stomach.
• December light is brief and uncharitable.
• This morning had friendly greetings for peaceful sleepers.
• The party died as soon as she left.
• Light had conquered darkness.

Common Core State Standards Related to Personification

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4 – Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

ELA Standards: Literature

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)

ELA Standards: Language

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5a – Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5a – Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.

89 Comments

Hi Mr. Morton, this was really helpful and I understand what personification is now but, I have one question. How is 12. an example of personification?

12. He sang a lonely song to the moonlight.

Can you help me with this personification? I’m stuck on it. The book __________ and then __________ as I began to read it.

Is “the smell of night” also personification?

I think it depends on what is intended by the speaker, like referencing the act of smelling, maybe. But probably no.

I need means of the following personified sentences. 1. The candle danced in the dark. 2. The sunflowers nodded in the wind. 3. The angry storm pounded the shelter. 4. The silence crept into the classroom. 5. The city never sleeps. 6. The thunder grumbled and the raindrops repoted for duty.

for anyone confused, personification means, when something that cannot do what a human can, you give the chosen object a human action (which is only for saying, it doesn’t actually happen.)

Adnan yousef

How can I get to solve all 50 examples .. I beg you to reply quickly.

What do you mean by “solve”?

Is ‘water RUNS to the mouth of the water’ an example of personification please ??

How about ‘the clock HANDS have stopped moving’ ?? Is this another example of personification ?? Many thanks

Yes, those are examples of personification.

how would I personify the bad use of energy drinks on our bodies…it is for my persuasive speech?

Laya Bajpai

Hi, Is, “the body whispers to the heart pump blood into me.” an example of personification. Please help I am confused.

Yes. A heart can’t whisper. People can. Since the language gives the heart the ability to whisper, the speaker is personifying the heart, or giving it human abilities.

this did not help at all

Richauna Archer

Yeah, it’s kindy good but I want it to be perfect

Rein rovher o.cervantes

Thank you for the ereading worksheets by this a can do my homework in english thank you

mubeena tlook.com

I need to personified this word in sentences Sky Flowers Fireflies

I need to personified these words Flowers Moon Sea Mountains River

Rick Antonich

God the Father personified His word and called it His Son

The rebuttal disappears without a trace never to be seen by Kinect300 again. Mr. Morton, How was my first personification? I am a beginner writer and I enjoy reading your list. It’s kinda strange because It was like learning a beautiful foreign language, only in English.

Sorry, but not all of these are personification.

Ok, which ones do you believe aren’t personification? Let’s talk about it.

#18: Our society needs strong leaders. It doesn’t give ‘society’ “a personal nature or human characteristics”

Society does not have needs. Society is an abstraction. Human beings have needs. By giving society “needs,” through the use of my figurative language, I am personifying the idea of society.

Surely, ‘the world will not listen’ is a synecdoche’ and not personification?

THANKS MAN IT WAS A GREAT HELP

Thank You so much…It’s a great help to me

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Personification Examples to Make Your Writing More Interesting

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Like other forms of figurative language, personification can make your writing more dynamic. By giving human qualities to inanimate objects, you can uniquely describe situations that will resonate with your reader.

Read on to learn more about the literary device through personification examples .

What Is Personification?

Why use personification in your writing, 5 personification examples, famous examples of personification.

Personification is a literary device that gives human traits and emotions to nonhumans, like animals, objects or an abstract idea. It's more common to use personification in creative writing than in other types of writing, such as medical or business contexts.

According to Merriam-Webster , human beings have long used personification:

Personification vs. Anthropomorphism

Personification is not the same as anthropomorphism, which is the literary technique of portraying animals, plants or objects behaving like humans.

You can see an example of anthropomorphism in "Fantastic Mr. Fox," a movie in which animals talk, wear clothes and plan elaborate schemes just as the human characters do.

Giving objects or animals human emotions can help the reader form emotional connections to nonhuman figures. As with other literary devices, personification can also help paint a more vivid picture of a scene or make abstract ideas more accessible.

Charles Dickens, who employed personification regularly, saw these human attributes in everyday life. "This is a lesson taught us in the great book of nature," he said .

"This is the lesson which may be read, alike in the bright track of the stars, and in the dusty course of the poorest thin that drags its tiny length upon the ground. This is the lesson ever uppermost in the thoughts of that inspired man, who tells us that there are Tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything."

Lastly, personification can make your writing more engaging, especially if you give unexpected human characteristics to an inanimate object.

Here are a few examples of personification.

• Talking about the strength of the wind : As the rain died down, the wind only whispered.
• Explaining how loud your alarm clock was : The alarm clock shouted at me, jolting me awake.
• Describing the flickering of a candle : The candle flame danced a lively polka.
• Showing that you use your running shoes a lot : The shoes, tired from weeks of preparation, carried me to the finish line.
• Demonstrating the size of a mountain : The mountains stood tall, inspiring fear in the hikers.

Authors regularly use personification in their works. Here are a few famous examples.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

From "a christmas carol" by charles dickens, from "the giving tree" by shel silverstein.

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article:

Personification: A Complete Guide for students and teachers

Personification Definition

Personification is a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, such as objects, animals, or abstract concepts. It involves giving human-like traits, emotions, or actions to something that is not human, which helps to create vivid imagery, enhance storytelling, and evoke emotional responses from the audience. Essentially, it’s a way…

Personification Literary Definition

What is Personification?

Before students can recognize the use of personification in the literature they read and use the device in their writing, they must first have a firm grasp of what exactly personification is.

Fundamentally, personification is a specific type of metaphor. Generally, personification is defined as a literary device that assigns human qualities and attributes to objects or other non-human things.

Simple examples that illustrate this definition can be found easily in our everyday speech. Many common examples of personification are so clichéd as to be almost invisible to the naked ear. We commonly hear these in phrases such as “the angry wind” or “the brooding sky.”

However, this basic definition doesn’t tell the whole story regarding this literary device.

Not only does personification refer to the ascribing of human qualities to nonhuman things, such as in the use of emotions in the examples above, but it can also refer to the doing of actions we normally ascribe exclusively to humans.

For example, in the phrase“the light danced across the sky”, even though we know the action of dancing can technically only be performed by humans, we find no incongruity in the above phrase. A specific image is conjured up in our minds, and we understand it imaginatively.

Figurative Language Teaching Unit

Teach your students about FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE and how to use it across all text types.

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  Anthropomorphism Versus Personification

In any exploration of personification, it’s worth pointing out the difference between anthropomorphism and personification.

While they have much in common, take the time to ensure students know there are some key differences, as the two are often confused.

If personification is the attribution of human qualities and attributes to nonhuman things, then we can think of anthropomorphism as going a step further to completely transform nonhumans into humans—in all but outward appearance, usually.

Here, consider the characters in Aesop’s fables or George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

But, whether we are talking about personification or anthropomorphism, why bother with all this artifice? Why not just say what we mean as straightforwardly as possible?

Famous Examples Of Personification In Literacy

Death lays his icy hand on the kings.” The Grave” by Robert Blair

“Time creeps in this petty pace from day to day.” From William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” Emily Dickinson

“Opportunity knocked on my door.” Various authors, found in various writings.

“Love is a rose, but you better not pick it.” Neil Young

Why Do We Use Personification in Literacy?

When we look over the bloody human history of war and genocides, we can see a common precursor to slaughter is the dehumanizing of the ‘other’.

Often, this is done through labelling the perceived enemy as ‘rats’ or ‘cockroaches’ or other vermin. Stripping others of their humanity in such a fashion makes it easier to justify the slaughter that ensues.

Personification works almost the opposite way – you’ll be relieved to hear!

By humanising non-human things, we bring them closer to the reader’s experience, making it easier for the reader to relate to them imaginatively.

Personification often works to make things more memorable and relatable. It frequently represents a conceptual climb down the ladder of abstraction.

In summary, personification in a sentence, poem or narrative is a powerful tool that, when used skillfully, can create vivid images and deep subconscious connections in the reader’s mind.

When To Use Personification

Given that personification is a figurative use of language, it is no surprise that it is so widely used in poetry. Indeed, this is where most students first encounter it.

However, students need to realise that personification is used in everyday speech, popular songs, and even in the visual arts, where we sometimes see nonhuman objects depicted with human qualities. For example, a human face with puffed cheeks blowing to illustrate the wind.

As personification often focuses on human emotions, the literary device often doesn’t sit well in more formal contexts such as essays and technical writing.

There are exceptions to this general rule, of course.

Sometimes, in formal writing or speech, personification can be used to climb down the ladder of abstraction and illuminate a complex idea.

For example, when explaining the water cycle, we may use phrases like ‘the water wants to flow downhill’ to describe the water’s behaviour during a particular stage of the cycle.

How To Personify Ideas

At the beginning of this article, we defined personification as assigning ‘human qualities and attributes to objects or other non-human things.’ These things need not all be concrete nouns.

Personification often illuminates the abstract through the personification of ideas and concepts.

This is clearly demonstrated by the way ancient civilisations personified abstract concepts in the form of gods.

For example, the Greeks had Eros and the Romans Venus as their personifications of love.

Not only does this personification of abstract ideas help us understand the concepts, but it also allows human interaction with them, as we can see throughout various mythological cycles and works of literature.

Personification In Poetry Writing Activity

Personification connects us intimately with the thing that is personified.

For this reason, poetry is the perfect genre to explore the use of personification in literature and for students to begin to experiment with the device in their own work.

Choose a poem that employs personification to discuss with the class. John Donne’s Death Be Not Proud , Keats’ To Autumn , or Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening are excellent and well-known examples.

Read the poem together and have students identify the uses of personification.

Please encourage students to share their thoughts on why the poet employs personification and how its use contributes to the poem’s overall effect.

Once students have a good understanding of personification and why and how it’s used, the time is right to challenge them to come up with some original examples of personification in their own writing.

One fun way to do this is to provide students with a list of verbs generally associated with things people do (sing, dance, play, speak, etc).

Then, provide them with a list of nonhuman things and objects (book, river, fox, thunder, etc) and challenge the students to create examples of personification by matching words from each list.

For example, if we take the first word from each list in brackets, we’ll have ‘sing’ and ‘book’. From these, we could create the following example: The book sang to us the deeds of the hero .

With a little practice, your students will soon become confident in recognizing the use of personification in the work of others and understanding its impact. With more practice, your students will have their own words dancing on the page, too!

101 Examples Of Personification

Sometimes, it is just far more straightforward to see examples of personification in action, so here are 101 examples that students can browse and integrate into their writing.

• The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
• The sun smiled down on the earth.
• Time flies when you’re having fun.
• The flowers danced in the breeze.
• The stars winked at me from the night sky.
• The old house groaned as if in pain.
• The waves crashed angrily against the shore.
• Fear gripped her like icy fingers.
• The car engine roared to life.
• The city never sleeps.
• The pages of the book begged to be turned.
• The raindrops kissed the windowpane gently.
• The darkness enveloped the room like a blanket.
• The thunder roared its disapproval.
• The fire crackled and popped with laughter.
• The moon played hide-and-seek behind the clouds.
• The mountains stood tall and proud.
• The alarm clock screamed at me to wake up.
• The leaves rustled in the autumn breeze.
• The river ran swiftly, eager to reach the sea.
• The fog crept in on little cat feet.
• The mountain peak reached for the sky.
• The snowflakes danced gracefully to the ground.
• The car complained as it struggled up the steep hill.
• The shadow lurked in the corner, waiting patiently.
• The computer refused to cooperate, throwing a tantrum.
• The ice cream melted in the sun’s warm embrace.
• The pencil danced across the paper, creating art.
• The door creaked open reluctantly.
• The coffee beckoned to me with its rich aroma.
• The mirror reflected my sadness back at me.
• The clock on the wall watched as time slipped away.
• The guitar sang sweet melodies into the night.
• The mountain range stood guard over the valley.
• The clouds whispered secrets to each other as they drifted by.
• The road stretched out before us, inviting us to explore.
• The camera captured memories with every click.
• The storm clouds gathered ominously overhead.
• The blanket wrapped me in its warm embrace.
• The bicycle begged to be ridden, leaning against the wall.
• The shadows danced across the room in the flickering candlelight.
• The stars painted the night sky with their twinkling light.
• The tree branches reached out like fingers, grasping at the sky.
• The snow-covered ground sighed underfoot as we walked.
• The river sang a soothing lullaby as it flowed.
• The ocean waves whispered secrets to the shore.
• The mountain peak greeted the sunrise with open arms.
• The painting on the wall seemed to come to life in the dim light.
• The clouds raced across the sky as if in a hurry.
• The suitcase sat patiently by the door, ready for adventure.
• The candle flickered nervously in the draft.
• The echo of her laughter bounced off the walls.
• The camera lens stared blankly at the scene before it.
• The cell phone buzzed excitedly with each notification.
• The road beckoned with promises of adventure.
• The mailbox eagerly awaited the arrival of the postman.
• The popcorn popped joyfully in the microwave.
• The flashlight guided us through the darkness.
• The shoes danced across the stage with grace.
• The teapot whistled a cheerful tune on the stove.
• The mountains called out to be climbed.
• The compass pointed us in the right direction.
• The car’s headlights pierced the darkness ahead.
• The river’s song soothed my troubled mind.
• The snowflakes whispered secrets as they fell to the ground.
• The shadow of doubt loomed over our decision.
• The candle’s flame danced in the gentle breeze.
• The moon’s reflection shimmered on the water’s surface.
• The backpack sagged under the weight of its contents.
• The clouds hung heavy in the sky like a blanket.
• The stars danced in the night sky.
• The TV blared its message to anyone who would listen.
• The thunder rumbled its discontent.
• The road stretched out before us like a ribbon.
• The pencil scratched out its message on the paper.
• The windowpane cried tears of rain.
• The chair groaned as I sat down heavily.
• The suitcase sighed with relief as it was finally unpacked.
• The river’s current pulled us along like a gentle hand.
• The sun’s rays reached out to warm us.
• The door slammed shut in anger.
• The painting’s colors sang out in harmony.
• The stars twinkled mischievously in the night sky.
• The snowfall whispered secrets to the earth below.
• The tree branches waved in the breeze.
• The ocean’s waves kissed the shore.
• The leaves rustled in the wind like gossiping neighbors.
• The mountain peak towered above us.
• The clock’s hands raced around its face.
• The car’s tires gripped the road tightly.
• The river’s surface shimmered in the sunlight.
• The fog crept in silently, obscuring our view.
• The suitcase protested as it was dragged across the floor.
• The wind howled through the trees.
• The shadows danced on the wall in the flickering candlelight.
• The snowfall blanketed the ground in white.
• The moon’s glow lit up the night sky.
• The rain tapped out a rhythm on the roof.
• The fire crackled and popped in the fireplace.
• The road beckoned us onward with promises of adventure.
• The stars whispered secrets to each other in the night sky.

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50+ Engaging Personification Examples That Bring Writing To Life

This literary device adds meaning.

Strong writers use literary devices like personification to make their writing more vivid and engaging. Learn the definition of personification, plus find lots of engaging personification examples to share with your students.

What is personification?

Personification is a literary device, a technique authors use to add meaning to their writing. Put simply, writers use personification when they give human characteristics to non-human animals or objects. In other words, an author describes a non-human object as doing something human.

• Example: “The babbling brook meandered alongside the path, skipping and jumping over the rocks.”

In this example, the author doesn’t literally mean the brook babbles, meanders, skips, or jumps. Instead, they use these human activities to make the sounds and actions of the brook more clear to the reader.

Personification vs. Anthropomorphism

These two literary devices are sometimes confused, but they have different meanings. When an author uses anthropomorphism, they have a non-human character literally act in human ways, such as talking animals.

• Personification example: My dog cried mournfully as I left, begging me not to leave him alone for the day.
• Anthropomorphism example: “Don’t go,” sobbed Rex, tears running down his furry nose. “I can’t bear to be alone all day long!”

In the first example—personification—the dog displays human-like behavior but does not literally cry, beg, or speak. In the second—anthropomorphism—the dog does literally cry and talk. Anthropomorphism is common in children’s books and fairy tales, while personification can appear in any kind of writing, including nonfiction.

Importance of Personification

Writers use personification to bring life and meaning to their writing. By associating a description with something human and familiar, they make it easier for their reader to relate to it. When an author gives an object human characteristics, like a “screaming alarm clock” or a “murmuring breeze,” their writing becomes more engaging.

We’ve all had days where we feel like computers “hate” us, or our alarm clock is “scolding” us until we get out of bed. When authors use this type of personification, we can immediately understand the feelings and emotions they’re trying to convey. The setting and atmosphere become clearer, helping us understand human characters a little better.

General Personification Examples

• The flowers danced in the breeze.
• A soft breeze tickled her cheek.
• That hot fudge sundae is really calling my name.
• The sun smiled down on us as we picnicked in the park.
• Time flies when you’re having fun.
• The old stairs groaned with each step he took.
• After a long day, my soft bed beckoned me with open arms.
• Moonlight caressed the water’s surface, glinting on each tiny wave.
• The storm raged ashore, destroying all that lie before it.
• The mountains stood tall and proud, guarding the valley below.
• The suspicious security cam followed her every move, determined to catch her in the act.
• Hungry waves ate away at the shoreline.
• After many false starts, the car’s engine finally coughed to life.
• Dark clouds gathered in the sky, plotting their attack on the land below.
• The typewriter keys jumped and jigged beneath his flying fingers.
• The sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies wooed them all into the kitchen.
• Dawn stretched itself across the landscape, embracing the dew-laden flowers.
• Overhead, the leaves whispered softly in the wind.
• Doubts attacked him left and right as he tried to make a decision.
• The fog crept slowly over the ground, sneaking its way into every hollow.

Personification Examples From Literature

• “There is something subversive about this garden of Serena’s. … It breathes, in the warmth, breathing itself in.” – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
• “A waft of wind came sweeping down the laurel-walk, and trembled through the boughs of the chestnut: it wandered away—away—to an indefinite distance—it died.” – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
• “All in vain; because Death, in approaching him, had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim.” – The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
• “The ship danced over the waves, eager to return to Ithaca.” – The Odyssey by Homer
• “The windmill loomed over the farm, its blades turning with a relentless determination …” – Animal Farm by George Orwell
• “The fire’s fingers reached out, devouring the pages of the forbidden books.” – Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• “The moors sighed with the weight of the secrets they held, whispering tales of love and revenge.” – Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
• “The sun persists in rising, so I make myself stand.” – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• “Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon / Who is already sick and pale with grief …” – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
• “The Triwizard Cup is waiting. It is waiting for you.” – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Personification Examples From Poetry

• “Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me – / The Carriage held but just Ourselves – / And Immortality.” – Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Emily Dickinson
• “I wandered lonely as a cloud …” – Daffodils by William Wordsworth
• “The moon was shining sulkily / Because she thought the sun / Had got no business to be there / After the day was done.” – The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll
• “Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat, / Sighing, through all her works, gave signs of woe.” – Paradise Lost by John Milton
• “The aspens at the cross-roads talk together / Of rain …” – Aspens by Edward Thomas
• “And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain / Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before.” – The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
• “The troubled sky reveals / The grief it feels.” – Snow-Flakes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• “Eight balloons no one was buyin’ / All broke loose one afternoon. / Eight balloons with strings a-flyin’, / Free to do what they wanted to.” – Eight Balloons by Shel Silverstein
• “The little white clouds are racing over the sky …” – Magdalen Walks by Oscar Wilde
• “The fog comes / on little cat feet. / It sits looking / over harbor and city / on silent haunches / and then moves on.” – Fog by Carl Sandburg

Song Lyrics Personification Examples

• “You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes.” – Thriller by Michael Jackson
• “And so today, my world it smiles.” – Thank You by Led Zeppelin
• “I want to wake up in a city / That doesn’t sleep.” – New York, New York by John Kander and Fred Ebb
• “Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.” – Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
• “They reach into your room, oh, just feel their gentle touch. / When all hope is gone, sad songs say so much.” – Sad Songs by Elton John
• “The highway don’t care if you’re all alone.” – Highway Don’t Care by Tim McGraw
• “And the saddest fear comes creeping in …” – I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift
• “The high yellow moon won’t come out to play.” – Concrete Jungle by Bob Marley
• “A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer …” – Be Prepared from The Lion King
• “Here comes the sun.” – Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

How do you teach personification in your classroom? Come share your ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, personification, definition of personification.

As a literary device, personification is the projection of characteristics that normally belong only to humans onto inanimate objects, animals, deities, or forces of nature. These characteristics can include verbs of actions that only humans do or adjectives that describe a human condition. The characteristics can also be emotions, feelings, or motives given to objects incapable of thought. For example, if someone said, “the trees whispered their discontent,” this would personify the trees both as able to whisper and of feeling unhappy. Personification is also sometimes referred to as anthropomorphism when it is used to give human feelings and actions to animals.

Personification can also mean the embodiment of an abstract idea or quality. This definition of personification can extend even to humans. For example, a person can be said to personify the patriotism of his country or the ambition of her company. We could say, “She is the personification of the grit and determination needed to make this start-up work.”

Examples of Personification from Common Speech

We use many examples of personification in every day speech. Some characteristics have become quite common to attribute to certain things, such as the following:

• Justice is blind
• Her heart skipped a beat
• The sun smiled down on them
• The stars winked
• The party died down
• The city never sleeps
• The wind howled
• The iron gates looked down at them cruelly
• The house sighed
• The car sputtered and coughed before starting

Significance of Personification in Literature

Personification and anthropomorphism has been a part of storytelling for thousands of years, evident in Aesop’s Fables and fairy tales from many different cultures. Gods in myths and legends are often given human qualities even though they are distinctly not human. This makes them examples of personification.

Personification has remained popular throughout the centuries, given that it can add aesthetic qualities to a work and provide a way for authors to describe inanimate objects. It also inserts more meaning into the inexplicable things like forces of nature. Often the use of personification also helps to show a character’s own attitudes toward a certain thing if they project or ascribe their own feelings onto an inanimate object.

Anthropomorphism is also still very popular, especially in stories for children and the fable genre . It is also sometimes used in satirical works, such as George Orwell’s Animal Farm , and graphic novels, such as Art Spiegelman’s Maus .

Examples of Personification from Literature

TITANIA: No night is now with hymn or carol blessed. Therefore the moon, the governess of floods, Pale in her anger, washes all the air, That rheumatic diseases do abound.

( A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare)

In this example of personification, Shakespeare uses the concept of the moon as a character. The moon is feminized (as often it is in literature, if given a gender) and said to be a governess of floods. The color of the moon lends to the depiction of “her anger” and she is said to cause more disease to spread due to her displeasure. Shakespeare thus gives the moon new descriptive qualities, emotions, and motivation.

Her heart was divided between concern for her sister, and resentment against all the others.

( Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

In this excerpt from Pride and Prejudice , Jane Austen writes about a heart that feels concern and resentment. The heart in question is of the character Elizabeth. It’s clear that Elizabeth is the one divided between concern for her sister Jane and resentment for the others, yet Austen personifies Elizabeth’s heart to have these feelings to add some poetic sensibility to the sentence.

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun, And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.

(“Mending Wall” by Robert Frost)

Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall” contains the famous line “Good fences make good neighbors.” This excerpt is from the beginning of the poem, and sets up a contrast between the neighbors who keep fixing the wall between them and the “something” that doesn’t love this wall. Though Frost never specifies what it is that “doesn’t love a wall,” we can take it to mean that nature revolts against artificial separations and borders. Winter cold causes the wall to break in different places, and Frost gives winter the motivation for doing this.

The Western States nervous under the beginning change. Texas and Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, California. A single family moved from the land. Pa borrowed money from the bank, and now the bank wants the land. The land company–that’s the bank when it has land –wants tractors, not families on the land. Is a tractor bad? Is the power that turns the long furrows wrong? If this tractor were ours it would be good–not mine, but ours. If our tractor turned the long furrows of our land, it would be good. Not my land, but ours. We could love that tractor then as we have loved this land when it was ours. But the tractor does two things–it turns the land and turns us off the land. There is little difference between this tractor and a tank. The people are driven, intimidated, hurt by both. We must think about this.

( The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck)

John Steinbeck’s classic The Grapes of Wrath is set during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. This personification example begins with the “Western States” being nervous. Of course the states themselves did not feel anxiety, but the people in those states started to feel nervous about the diminishing returns from the land. Bankers started repossessing land, and thus Steinbeck personifies the banks to want the land.

When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me, and snaps the purse shut… I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

(“When Death Comes” by Mary Oliver)

Mary Oliver’s poem “When Death Comes” uses several different ways to describe death. She begins here with the image of death as a hungry bear. Then Oliver gives death the human characteristics of having money and wanting to make a purchase, thereby personifying it. Thus death is full of desire in this poem. Oliver uses this concept to contrast her own desire to live her life as fully as possible before death comes for her.

But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.

( The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne)

In this excerpt from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter , there is a juxtaposition between the wild rose-bush and its location, namely the prison. The rose-bush is “delicate” and has “fragile beauty,” whereas the “condemned criminal” is going “forth to his doom.” Hawthorne uses personification to say that the rose-bush offers its fragrance, and thus a measure of its innocence, to the prisoner. He goes on to personify Nature as full of both kindness and pity.

Test Your Knowledge of Personification

1. Choose the correct personification definition:

A. The act of literally making something human. B. A person who strives to be the best he or she can be. C. A literary device which gives human qualities to nonhuman things.

2. Which of these lines from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 contains personification?

A. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? B. Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade… C. So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see…

3. Which of the parts of this excerpt from Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” make it an example of personification?

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination

A. Whoever you are B. No matter how lonely C. The world offers itself D. To your imagination

Personification

Definition of personification.

Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Personification is a common form of metaphor in that human characteristics are attributed to nonhuman things. This allows writers to create life and motion within inanimate objects, animals, and even abstract ideas by assigning them recognizable human behaviors and emotions.

Personification is a literary device found often in children’s literature. This is an effective use of figurative language because personification relies on imagination for understanding. Of course, readers know at a logical level that nonhuman things cannot feel, behave, or think like humans. However, personifying nonhuman things can be an interesting, creative, and effective way for a writer to illustrate a concept or make a point.

For example, in his picture book, “The Day the Crayons Quit,” Drew Daywalt uses personification to allow the crayons to express their frustration at how they are (or are not) being used. This literary device is effective in creating an imaginary world for children in which crayons can communicate like humans.

Common Examples of Personification

Here are some examples of personification that may be found in everyday expression:

• My alarm yelled at me this morning.
• I like onions, but they don’t like me.
• The sign on the door insulted my intelligence.
• My phone is not cooperating with me today.
• That bus is driving too fast.
• My computer works very hard.
• However, the mail is running unusually slow this week.
• I wanted to get money, but the ATM died.
• This article says that spinach is good for you.
• Unfortunately, when she stepped on the Lego, her foot cried.
• The sunflowers hung their heads.
• That door jumped in my way.
• The school bell called us from outside.
• In addition, the storm trampled the town.
• I can’t get my calendar to work for me.
• This advertisement speaks to me.
• Fear gripped the patient waiting for a diagnosis.
• The cupboard groans when you open it.
• Can you see that star winking at you?
• Books reach out to kids.

Examples of Personification in Speech or Writing

Here are some examples of personification that may be found in everyday writing or conversation:

• My heart danced when he walked in the room.
• The hair on my arms stood after the performance.
• Why is your plant pouting in the corner?
• The wind is whispering outside.
• Additionally, that picture says a lot.
• Her eyes are not smiling at us.
• Also, my brain is not working fast enough today.
• Those windows are watching us.
• Our coffee maker wishes us good morning.
• The sun kissed my cheeks when I went outside.

Famous Personification Examples

Think you haven’t heard of any  famous personification examples? Here are some well-known and recognizable titles and quotes featuring this figure of speech:

• “The Brave Little Toaster” ( novel by Thomas M. Disch and adapted animated film series)
• “This Tornado Loves You” (song by Neko Case)
• “Happy Feet” (animated musical film)
• “Time Waits for No One” (song by The Rolling Stones)
• “The Little Engine that Could” (children’s book by Watty Piper)
•    “The sea was angry that day, my friends – like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.” (Seinfeld television series)
•    “Life moves pretty fast.” (movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”)
•    “The dish ran away with the spoon.” (“ Hey, diddle, diddle ” by Mother Goose)
•    “The Heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care” ( Emily Dickinson )
•    “Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy.” (“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein)

Difference Between Personification and Anthropomorphism

Personification is often confused with the literary term anthropomorphism due to fundamental similarities. However, there is a difference between these two literary devices . Anthropomorphism is when human characteristics or qualities are applied to animals or deities, not inanimate objects or abstract ideas. As a literary device, anthropomorphism allows an animal or deity to behave as a human. This is reflected in Greek dramas in which gods would appear and involve themselves in human actions and relationships.

In addition to gods, writers use anthropomorphism to create animals that display human traits or likenesses such as wearing clothes or speaking. There are several examples of this literary device in popular culture and literature. For example, Mickey Mouse is a character that illustrates anthropomorphism in that he wears clothes and talks like a human, though he is technically an animal. Other such examples are Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear, and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Therefore, while anthropomorphism is limited to animals and deities, personification can be more widely applied as a literary device by including inanimate objects and abstract ideas. Personification allows writers to attribute human characteristics to nonhuman things without turning those things into human-like characters, as is done with anthropomorphism.

Writing Personification

Overall, as a literary device, personification functions as a means of creating imagery and connections between the animate and inanimate for readers. Therefore, personification allows writers to convey meaning in a creative and poetic way. These figures of speech enhance a reader’s understanding of concepts and comparisons , interpretations of symbols and themes , and enjoyment of language.

Here are instances in which it’s effective to use personification in writing:

Demonstrate Creativity

Personification demonstrates a high level of creativity. To be valuable as a figure of speech, the human attributes assigned to a nonhuman thing through personification must make sense in some way. In other words, human characteristics can’t just be assigned to any inanimate object as a literary device. There must be some connection between them that resonates with the reader, demanding creativity on the part of the writer to find that connection and develop successful personification.

Exercise Poetic Skill

Many poets rely on personification to create vivid imagery and memorable symbolism . For example, in Edgar Allan Poe ’s poem “ The Raven ,” the poet skillfully personifies the raven through allowing it to speak one word, “nevermore,” in response to the narrator ’s questions. This is a powerful use of personification, as the narrator ends up projecting more complex and intricate human characteristics onto the bird as the poem continues though the raven only speaks the same word.

Create Humor

Personification can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. This is especially true among young readers who tend to appreciate the comedic contrast between a nonhuman thing being portrayed as possessing human characteristics. Personification allows for creating humor related to incongruity and even absurdity.

Enhance Imagination

Overall, personification is a literary device that allows readers to enhance their imagination by “believing” that something inanimate or nonhuman can behave, think, or feel as a human. In fact, people tend to personify things in their daily lives by assigning human behavior or feelings to pets and even objects. For example, a child may assign emotions to a favorite stuffed animal to match their own feelings. In addition, a cat owner may pretend their pet is speaking to them and answer back. This allows writers and readers to see a reflection of humanity through imagination. Readers may also develop a deeper understanding of human behavior and emotion.

Examples of Personification in Literature

Example #1: the house on mango street (sandra cisneros).

But the house on Mango Street is not the way they told it at all. It’s small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small you’d think they were holding their breath.

In the first chapter of Cisneros’s book, the narrator Esperanza is describing the house into which she and her family are moving. Her parents have promised her that they would find a spacious and welcoming home for their family, similar to what Esperanza has seen on television. However, their economic insecurity has prevented them from getting a home that represents the American dream.

Cisneros uses personification to emphasize the restrictive circumstances of Esperanza’s family. To Esperanza, the windows of the house appear to be “holding their breath” due to their small size, creating an image of suffocation. This personification not only enhances the description of the house on Mango Street for the reader, but it also reflects Esperanza’s feelings about the house, her family, and her life. Like the windows, Esperanza is holding her breath as well, with the hope of a better future and the fear of her dreams not becoming reality.

Example #2:  Ex-Basketball Player (John Updike)

Off work, he hangs around Mae’s Luncheonette. Grease-gray and kind of coiled, he plays pinball, Smokes those thin cigars, nurses lemon phosphates. Flick seldom says a word to Mae, just nods Beyond her face toward bright applauding tiers Of Necco Wafers, Nibs, and Juju Beads.

In his poem about a former basketball player named Flick, Updike recreates an arena crowd watching Flick play pinball by personifying the candy boxes in the luncheonette. The snack containers “applaud” Flick as he spends his free time playing a game that is isolating and requires no athletic skill. However, the personification in Updike’s poem is a reflection of how Flick’s life has changed since he played and set records for his basketball team in high school.

Flick’s fans have been replaced by packages of sugary snacks with little substance rather than real people appreciating his skills and cheering him on. Like the value of his audience , Flick’s own value as a person has diminished into obscurity and the mundane now that he is an ex-basketball player.

Example #3:  How Cruel Is the Story of Eve (Stevie Smith)

It is only a legend , You say? But what Is the meaning of the legend If not To give blame to women most And most punishment? This is the meaning of a legend that colours All human thought; it is not found among animals. How cruel is the story of Eve, What responsibility it has In history For misery.

In her poem, Smith personifies the story of Eve as it is relayed in the first book of the Bible,  Genesis . Smith attributes several human characteristics to this story, such as cruelty and responsibility. Therefore, this enhances the deeper meaning of the poem which is that Eve is not to blame for her actions, essentially leading to the “fall” of man and expulsion from Paradise In addition, she is not to blame for the subjugation and inequality that women have faced throughout history and tracing back to Eve.

Eve’s “story” or “legend” in the poem is accused by the poet of coloring “all human thought.” In other words, Smith is holding the story responsible for the legacy of punishment towards women throughout history by its portrayal of Eve, the first woman, as a temptress and sinner. The use of this literary device is effective in separating Eve’s character as a woman from the manner in which her story is told.

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Understanding Personification (Definition + Examples)

What is personification? A personification occurs when a the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman. It sounds science fiction. Personification is a wonderful and beautiful part of the English language.

What is personification?

Personification is a figure of speech which employs human attributes to non-living things. It involves the usage of verbs that are commonly used to describe human behavior or actions, to abstract things or inanimate objects.

This is done to embellish statements or even to add more emphasis and amplify the intended effect on the reader. In some cases, personification is used to add a poetic effect to sentences. 

Example: The sun kissed the itinerant pilgrims en route to Jerusalem.

The verb ‘kissed’ is applicable only to living beings and especially humans. But in the above example, it is used with an inanimate sun.

Even though this is literally not true or possible, it is used as a figure of speech, which is a literary device, for beautification.  

Difference between personification and anthropomorphism

Both personification and anthropomorphism refer to literary devices that employ human behavior or attributes to non-human entities. But the difference lies in that personification applies to the description of an abstract feature or entity with human attributes or behavior.

Anthropomorphism on the other hand is the application of human behavioral traits to an animal, a god, or an object.

The main objective behind the use of personification is to create a rich portrayal with a poetic sense or added emphasis. It is more like a metaphor and denotes figurative speech.

• Example 1: The howling storm created an eerie atmosphere.    
• Example 2: Love is blind

Anthropomorphism

While personification is figurative, anthropomorphism is more like in the literal sense. Here, angels, demons, animals, and deities behave like actual human beings.

They can talk, sing, or even dance. Anthropomorphism is abundantly found in children’s stories and comics.

Some popular examples include Mickey Mouse, Thomas the Tank Engine, Donald Duck, Goofy the dog, etc. Popular literary works that are full of anthropomorphic manifestations are ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, the ancient Indian fables collection ‘Panchatantra’ etc.

Hollywood is another arena where plenty of anthropomorphic examples can be found, both in book adaptations and otherwise. Some of them are Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, Kung fu Panda, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Wizard of Oz, etc.

Definition of personification

As mentioned earlier, personification is a literary device also known as a figure of speech. It uses human attributes or emotions, mainly through verbs, to inanimate objects for the purpose of beautification or adding more emphasis.

One can frequently find the use of personification too in children’s books and novels. This is because the use of imaginative expressions can make the work more appealing to kids. It can also play a positive role in stirring the imaginative minds of the kids.

Though contrary to common logic that inanimate objects cannot express feelings or behave like human beings, it only makes the expression more interesting.

Thus, personification is more figurative than literal and is used for embellishment or emphasis. Personification is not just about using human attributes to inanimate objects. The attributes of inanimate objects and animals can also be used, although these are rare when compared to the use of human attributes.

• The benign smile immediately melted off his face.
• The current issue of the fashion magazine flew off the shelves immediately after distribution.
• Personifications can also be found in idioms.
• Mumbai is a city that never sleeps.
• Actions speak louder than words.   
• My school notebook screamed for attention .
• All the furniture inside the old mansion reeked of neglect .

Understanding personification in figurative language

Figurative language is an expression that denotes the usage of words not in a literal sense, but more in a poetic, artistic, or humorous way. In other words, it is the exact opposite of literal language that is commonly found in legal documents and academic papers. Literal language can be monotonous and lackluster.

Thus, figurative speech can be put to use in order to make literary works and fiction novels much more engaging and engrossing. In figurative speech, comparison, juxtaposition, and exaggeration can be freely used in an imaginative manner to add more spark and spice to the words.

Another popular and more useful application of figurative speech is the exposition of complex theories or ideas. Take for instance the Schrodinger’s cat. It is a thought experiment that is used to demonstrate paradoxes in the field of quantum mechanics.

With the skillful use of figurative speech, this complex experiment has been made much easier for people with a non-scientific background to understand.

There are five commonly used varieties of figure speech used in the English language. They are Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole, and Allusion.

Personification, as discussed earlier, is a form of figurative speech where human attributes and behavioral traits are applied to inanimate objects and phenomena.

It requires an imaginative mind and is hence found widely in children’s books, Poetry, and fiction.  

• Opportunity only knocks at the daring and adventurous.
• The early morning sun greeted us with warmth and comfort.
• The recalcitrant full moon was playing hide and seek with the clouds.

Understanding metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole

As we saw earlier, metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole are all types of figurative language . We shall take a detailed look at each of them.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that states that a person or object is something else that it is not in actuality.

By this statement, a comparison between the two is implied to suggest a symbolic relation rather than a literal meaning. In simpler terms, a person or thing is stated to be something which cannot be true in the literal sense. The term metaphor originates from the Greek word metapherein which translates into transfer.

Metaphors are a bit tricky in that they sound like actual statements. The implied comparison can only be understood if the reader is aware of the true meanings of the compared objects and the impossibility of them being the same or similar.

Example:  Marie is a fox.

Here the statement cannot make any literal sense as Marie is a person and cannot be a fox in reality. But the statement appears to be assertive and the comparison aspect is only hidden. The implied meaning is that Marie has the cunning and deceitfulness that a fox has.

Metaphors are widely used for a number of reasons. They can be highly imaginative and can spruce up your writing. They also make your writing appear more confident, elegant, and fluid.

Hence, they can be an effective tool in the hands of creative writers and can bring more color and vivacity to their writings. 

Metaphors are also used to explain difficult concepts in a simpler way. Thus they tend to be more memorable for readers than mere bland statements.

Examples of metaphor

• The world is but a stage.
• Jennifer was the shining star of the show.
• She desperately needs to jumpstart her career.
• They say that the face is a veritable mirror of the soul.
• David gave him an icy stare.
• With piercing eyes, she stared at me .

A simile is also a figure of speech that compares two very different objects for providing a symbolic meaning.

But similes are not the same as metaphors because the comparison being done is explicit with a simile.

It is made explicit by using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’, and they are not assertive statements like metaphors.

Hence similes are easier to identify than metaphors which are trickier to spot. The word simile is derived from the Latin word similis which means similar.

Similes are used to make comparisons between two or more nouns . The keyword ‘as’ or ‘like’ is used to compare an object or person with the well-known quality of another popular object or phenomenon. Thus it can be used as a direct comparison between similar as well as dissimilar things.

Another useful feature of simile is that it helps the reader visualize or create a mental picture of the concept that is being explained. With the aid of the object of comparison being used, the reader can vividly picturize the scenario in his mind which in turn helps him understand better and quicker.

Examples of simile

• Life is like a box of chocolates. (From the movie Forrest Gump)
• She is as tall as a giraffe.
• Radha is as sweet as sugar.
• Eric became as busy as a bee during his preparations for the final examinations.
• Jamie dealt with the situation as cool as a cucumber.
• In the fast enveloping darkness, we became as blind as a bat in that wilderness.
• Anita’s mind is as sharp as a razor.
• Jennifer sings like a cuckoo.
• After returning home from that tiring journey, I slept like a log.
• Since he chatters like a monkey, most of his classmates avoid the company of Chris.
• Kristina became as proud as a peacock during her college years .
• The new android smartphone was as light as a feather.

Examples of personification

• The cold winds howled throughout the night.
• The merciless sun roasted us with its heat rays.
• The huge avalanche devoured the entire vegetation in that area.
• All the media cameras seem to love the superstar’s face.
• The old wooden stairs groaned complainingly as we climbed through it.
• A lengthy column of birch trees welcomed us as we drove in to the village .
• The ATM died on me halfway through the transaction.
• The dense night stars winked on us mischievously.
• She sleepily reached out her hand to silence the yelling alarm clock.
• Panic gripped the residents when news of the pandemic spread.

A hyperbole is a type of figurative speech that employs extravagant and exaggerated statements to lay added emphasis on a point. It is also used to evoke a marked emotional response from the reader.

Hyperboles are typically used to add a humorous effect to a speech or writing, and they should never be taken literally.

Our everyday lives are filled with hyperboles, especially among the more witty and humorous. The exaggeration is effectively used to convey the emotional effect or depth on the part of the speaker.

Take for instance the sentence : “I haven’t seen her for eons”.

The exaggerative ‘eons’ is used to emphasize the length of time that the speaker has felt about the other person’s absence.

Hyperboles are also extensively used in creative writing for their amusement quotient.     

Examples of hyperbole

• The Smiths have amassed tons of wealth.
• She appeared so hungry that she could eat a horse.
• Mr Gerard is older than the hills.
• She would die of embarrassment if she had to wear this outfit.
• I will walk to the ends of the Earth to be with you !
• I had stocked enough food to feed an army.
• The remote outpost is as dry as a desert.
• Haven’t I told you a million times to not leave the door unlocked?

How to write personification

If you want to describe a particular scenario , first identify the emotional impact that you want to create in the readers. Then infuse the description of that scenario with apt words of human attributes that would best evoke that emotional response.

Consider the following example.

If you want to describe a violent storm from the viewpoint of a frightened child, then you have to apply human-like attributes while describing that storm.

This attribution can bring out the intended emotional effect on the readers to help them understand what the child felt like.

Thus you should write as follows: Emily trembled with fear as the storm raged outside incessantly and heavy rain pummeled the rooftop.

To be able to effectively use personification as a literary device, a high level of creativity is needed on the writer’s part to equate a human attribute to an inanimate object or phenomenon.

The relation between the object and the attribute should be readily understood by the reader in order to have the intended effect.

Otherwise, the whole exercise would become fruitless.

Example: The car engine coughed up black smoke through the exhaust pipe when I turned the ignition key.

Poetic skill

With enough deftness and poetic skill, personification can be efficiently employed by writers in creating vibrant and memorable images in the minds of readers. A popular example of the skillful use of personification can be found in Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Raven’.

In this poem, Poe has brilliantly enabled the raven to utter the word ‘nevermore’ as if to answer questions posed by the narrator. Poe personified the raven with this human-like attribute to make it more poetic and communicative. 

Personification can also be used as a powerful device in infusing humor into your writing. The degree of humor is determined by the contrast or incongruity between the inanimate object and the attributed trait. The contrast can even be stretched to the point of absurdity to make the comparison funnier.

Imagination

Personification can encourage the imaginative spirits of readers by making them imagine pets and inanimate objects as having distinct personalities and attributes of their own. This can be compared to a child talking to her Barbie doll and pet owners emoting with their pets or even having imaginative conversations with them.

Examples of personification in literature

Great literary masters have deftly employed personifications in their masterpieces that have enthralled readers for many generations.

Among them is William Shakespeare who with his poetic brilliance and imaginative exuberance has elevated his works to a higher level.

In his classic work ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Shakespeare exclaims “The grey-ey’d morn smiles on the frowning night…” In this passage, he compares the unfolding love of Romeo and Juliet with the process of dawning.

The English poet John Keats has also used personifications extensively in his literary works.

In his famous love sonnet, he exclaims “Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art”. Here, he expresses his desire to be as steadfast as a star. A classic example of a literary master using the personification of a star to express a human quality.

• 1) Personification: Explanation and Examples – Grammar Monster
• 2) Anthropomorphism & Personification: What’s the Difference?
• 3) Difference Between Personification and Anthropomorphism
• 4) Figurative Language: Use These 5 Common Types – Grammarly
• 5) What Is A Metaphor? —Definition and Examples | Grammarly
• 6) What Is A Simile? Definition and Examples | Grammarly Blog
• 7) Examples and Definition of Personification – Literary Devices
• 8) Hyperbole | Vocabulary – EnglishClub
• 9)  When and How to Write a Personification | LiteraryTerms.net
• 10) Personification in Poems and Literature – EnglishGrammarSoft

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Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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How To Teach Personification

Written by Dan

Last updated December 15, 2023

Understanding personification in literature and using it correctly can be a challenge for young students. However, with the right resources and strategies, teaching personification to children can be simple! This article will cover creative tips for introducing and engaging kids with personification concepts.

We’ll discuss how to effectively illustrate the topic using examples from classic literature and modern popular culture references. With these ideas in mind, you’re sure to find success while helping your students grasp this essential literary element!

Related : For more, check out our article on  How To Use Speech Marks Correctly  here.

Table of Contents

What Is Personification And Why Is It Important To Teach Children About It

Personification is a figure of speech where inanimate objects, animals, or ideas are given human qualities or characteristics. This literary device can provide readers with an entirely new perspective on familiar topics and help them consider them with more detail or complexity.

It is, therefore, an essential tool to teach children to introduce them to creative thinking and encourage excellent descriptive writing. Personification is also helpful because it makes abstract ideas more accessible by providing a visual representation that children may have difficulty understanding otherwise.

Personification allows us to connect familiar concepts excitingly, inspiring imaginations and sparking conversation by making simple connections between human qualities and non-human objects.

Using Examples to Illustrate Personification

To make this concept come to life, providing your students with real-world examples of personification can be beneficial. Point out to them that the characters in favourite stories often exhibit personification traits; for instance, does a character speak or act like a natural person?

Some animated films are also great for teaching about this literary device; for example, many Disney movie characters are animated objects that come alive through personification.

Bring eyes to life by having your students create their personifications—either from scratch or by basing them off classic works such as Aesop’s Fables—to illustrate what they’ve learned. By putting your students in charge of creating their examples, they will better understand and appreciate personification.

Activities To Introduce Personification To Kids

Introducing children to personification can be a fun and rewarding activity. Kids can learn about giving human qualities to inanimate objects, animals, and concepts through imaginative exercises and engaging stories.

Teachers can introduce children to personification by reading stories that feature personified characters, acting out scenes for them, and having them create their own stories with displayed characters. These activities give children an understanding of personification and help foster a love for reading, writing, and storytelling.

Tips for Making Learning About Personification Fun

By making personification fun, kids will be more receptive to the concepts being taught and more easily remember what they’re learning for later use. One fun way to teach about personification is by creating stories with your students involving all the significant elements: characters, setting, plot, etc., and then selecting keywords or phrases from the story to personify.

You could also use songs or movies to identify examples of personification in literature or media. Additionally, turning classic works of literature into skits and having your students put their spin on them by incorporating personification can be incredibly rewarding for both you and your students.

Personification doesn’t have to be complex or tedious; by making it fun and engaging, you can transform a complex topic or seemingly mundane piece of literature into a fascinating learning experience.

Common Mistakes When Teaching Personification

Teaching personification to children can sometimes feel daunting, but it is achievable with effective communication and creative guidance. Common mistakes include needing to fully explain what personification is and being too lenient in how one understands the use of figurative language.

Another mistake is to provide more examples to demonstrate the concept. To avoid these pitfalls, explain personification, allowing time for practice inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, provide measures your students can relate to and encourage their use for poetic purposes. With these steps in place, you will be well on your way to success when teaching children about personification.

Personification is a great way to engage children and help them learn basic writing skills. It encourages creative thinking and allows them to look at the world from a different perspective. Teaching this concept can be exciting and even fun with the right approach! By following these guidelines, you will be well on your way to introducing personification in a thorough, fun and effective manner.

Don’t forget to include activities that will make learning engaging, provide lots of examples and remember to have patience, as mistakes will inevitably happen. With practice and dedication, you can become an expert in teaching personification to children!

Personification Examples

Here are 20 sentences showing personification:

• The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
• The sun smiled down on the children playing in the park.
• The flowers danced in the breeze.
• The moonlight painted a silver path on the water.
• The car engine roared to life.
• The waves crashed angrily against the shore.
• The leaves rustled their approval as we walked by.
• Time flies when you’re having fun.
• Fear gripped her heart like a cold hand.
• Hope is a light that guides us through dark times.
• The storm clouds loomed menacingly overhead.
• Laughter bubbled up from within her like a fountain of joy.
• Love is a rose with thorns that can wound but also heal.
• The city streets were alive with the sound of traffic and people rushing about like ants.
• Loneliness crept into his heart like a thief in the night.
• Despair hung heavy over her like a dark cloud she couldn’t shake off.
• Her words were music to my ears, soothing and sweet like honey on my lips.
• Time marched relentlessly, never stopping for anyone or anything in its path.
• Curiosity burned inside her like a flame, driving her to explore and discover new things around every corner.
• The river ran swiftly, eager to reach its destination.

Personification Resources

• TeachStarter – This website overviews personification and how it can be used in writing. It also includes examples and teaching resources for using personification effectively in the classroom. Link:  https://www.teachstarter.com/gb/blog/what-is-personification-in-literature-definition-examples-and-teaching-resources/
• PoetryFoundation.org – This website has an informative article on personification that explains what it is and how it works in poetry and provides examples of different types of personification. There are also exercises that students can do to practice identifying and using personification correctly. Link:  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/learn/glossary-terms/personification
• K12Reader.com – This website offers various worksheets on personification, including activities and games to help children learn about them in a fun way. There are also helpful teaching guides for educators who want to incorporate personification into their lessons. Link:  https://www.k12reader.com/term/personification/
• LiteraryDevices.net – This website offers an extensive personification guide covering everything from basic definitions to advanced usage rules for more complex sentences. The guide includes examples and quizzes to test your understanding of the topic and tips for avoiding common mistakes when using personification in your writing. Link:  https://literarydevices.net/personification/
• ReadWriteThink.org – This website offers lesson plans and resources for teachers looking to teach their students about personification in a creative way through poetry writing or other literary devices such as metaphors or similes. There are ideas for incorporating drama, art, and other subjects into lessons on grammar and punctuation, as well as printable worksheets and activities for students to complete independently or as part of group work. Link:  http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/making-metaphor-personifying-poem-797.html

Q: What is personification?

A: Personification is a literary device that gives human qualities to non-human things or abstract ideas. It’sIt’s a way of making writing more exciting and engaging by creating vivid images in the reader’sreader’s mind.

Q: Why is personification important?

A: Personification can help writers create more memorable and impactful descriptions and add depth and meaning to their writing. It can also make complex concepts easier to understand by giving them relatable human qualities.

Q: How do you use personification effectively?

A: To use personification effectively, it’s essential to choose the proper object or idea to personify and then use descriptive language that brings it to life. The best personifications are surprising and creative and evoke strong emotions in the reader.

Q: Can you give some examples of practical personification?

A: Sure! Here are some examples: “”The wind whispered secrets through the trees.”” “”The sun smiled down on us from a clear blue sky.”” “”Fear gripped her heart like a cold hand.”” “”The city streets were alive with the sound of traffic and people rushing about like ants.””

Q: Is there such a thing as using too much personification?

A: Yes, overusing personification can make writing seem forced or unrealistic. It’sIt’s crucial to balance using enough description to create vivid images without going overboard.

Q: What are some other literary devices that work well with personification?

A: Similes and metaphors often work well with personification because they also involve comparing one thing to another to create meaning. Alliteration (repeating sounds at the beginning of words) can also be used effectively with personification.

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I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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What is Personification ?

Personification is the attribution of human or human-like characteristics to an inanimate object or natural phenomena. It is commonly used to create imagery and symbolism in writing. Personification is often confused with Anthropomorphism in which human-like characteristics are literally attributed to animals and objects. While both may be applied to inanimate objects, they are not the same thing and therefore, not interchangeable.

How to pronounce Personification ?

When do writers use personification .

Personification is a literary device used to give human characteristics to inanimate objects. Writers frequently incorporate personification into similes and metaphors to add depth to their writing. Personification frequently contributes to the development of vivid imagery and makes a writer’s writing more interesting and engaging.

How to use Personification

• Only use personification to attribute human-like traits to an inanimate object.Do not apply human-like behaviors (walking, talking, etc.) to the thing you are personifying. 
• Do not apply human-like behaviors (walking, talking, etc.) to the thing you are personifying. 
• Use personification when you want to make it easier for your reader to relate the object being personified.
• Use personification when you want to demonstrate the object’s role in a story more clearly.
•  Personification may be used as a single word, line, or phrase.

A great example of personification is Lady Justice – The blindfolded woman holding balancing scales in one hand and a book in the other is a representation of justice. In this example, justice is being personified. To explain, the woman represents the concept of Justice and it is the concept or idea of justice that is being personified as the idea, not the woman, balances of the scale of justice

Personification in Literature 📚

• Act III, Romeo and Juliet ,William Shakespeare subtly personifies the night when Juliet says, “Come, gentle night ; come, loving , black-brow’d night” 
•  In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings , Tolkien cleverly personifies the Ring as a powerful and evil force when he writes, “One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”
•  In The Odyssey , Homer personifies the sea as a dangerous and unpredictable force in the line, “The sea was like a millstone, grinding us down.”

Personification in Children’s Literature 🧸

The children’s author, Shel Silverstein, is well-known for his incorporation of personification into his children’s poems and stories. In “Dancing Pants,” Silverstein humanizes the pants by implying they are so talented that they do not need to be worn to dance.

And now for the Dancing Pants,

Doing their fabulous dance.

From the seat to the pleat

They will bounce to the beat,

With no legs inside them

And no feet beneath.

They’ll whirl, and twirl, and jiggle and prance,

So just start the music

And give them a chance—

Let’s have a big hand for the wonderful, marvelous,

Super sensational, utterly fabulous,

Talented Dancing Pants!

Personification in Songs 🎧

.”Here Comes the Sun,” The Beatles – Rarely do we have the pleasure of seasons being personified in song, much less as happy go lucky things, but The Beatles seldom disappoint as illustrated here in the song’s lyrics:

“Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

And I say it’s all right

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter

Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here”

 Jimi Hendrix is a special case as he is widely renowned for his skill as a guitarist, but his song lyrics attend to the emotional and imaginative aspects of the listener’s mind. In “The Wind Cries Mary,” he personifies the wind at the end of  each stanza and in the final line of the song as a person calling out to a woman named Mary. The lyrics read,  “And the wind whispers , ‘Mary,’” “And the wind, it cries , ‘Mary,’” and as the song climaxes, like a person searching for a loved one, the wind as becomes more frantic as illustrated in the lyric,“And the wind screams , ‘Mary’.”

“The Isla Bonita,” Madonna – Ever the chameleon, Madonna’s take on Latin turned heads and climbed the charts. The lyrics, 

“Warm wind carried on the sea, he called to me.”

personified the tropical island breeze as a living thing, possibly even a man. The imagery created through the personification of the wind continued for the duration of the song and is highlighted in the lyric above as the wind is carried on the sea’s back while calling out to the singer.

Personification in Poetry ✍🏽

• In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven, ” the narrator personifies the bird’s eyes by implying the raven is a messenger of death when Poe writes, saying,

 “And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming.”

• In her poem, “Hope is the Thing with Feathers,” Emily Dickinson personifies the idea of hope with the line, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.”
•  In “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” William Wordsworth uses personification throughout the poem, beginning with the title itself. In the stanza below, he humanizes the cloud by implying that it is a lonely soul floating above the field of daffodils. He uses personification to create the image of the daffodils as a large crowd of people gathered in the field.

“I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

Personification in Movies 🎥

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

“I think I’m a sofa.”

“I know how you feel.”

(Both scream)

Personification in Advertising 📺

It’s understandable where the confusion lies when trying to use or explain personification and anthropomorphism correctly. This is why it is not surprising that personification seems to be grossly misrepresented in advertising. At first glance, it appears that advertising campaigns are chock full of examples of personification. However, while legitimate examples may exist, an overwhelming majority of advertising campaigns and internet identifications have gotten it wrong.  What is being illustrated in these ad campaigns is Anthropomorphism , which attributes literal human characteristics and traits, such as walking, talking, etc., to animals and inanimate objects. Key examples of this error are: The Kool-Aid Man, M&Ms, and the Aflac duck, but in truth, the list is quite extensive. The key to getting it right is to always remember personification humanizes an object without literally making it walk or talk like a human. Anthropomorphism makes a nonhuman thing act like a human.

Often Confused with Personification 👥

Anthropomorphism – Attribute human or human-like characteristics to nonhuman entities such as animals or inanimate objects rather than only inanimate objects like personification. Anthropomorphism makes a nonhuman thing act like a human.

What is personification in literature?

Personification is a literary device where non-human objects, animals, or abstract concepts are given human characteristics, behaviors, or emotions. It is used to create vivid imagery or to convey meanings in a way that readers can easily relate to and understand.

How does personification enhance a text?

Personification enhances a text by making descriptions more lively and engaging, allowing readers to connect with non-human elements on a personal level. It can add emotional depth, animate the inanimate, and make complex ideas more accessible and relatable through human traits.

Can personification be found in both poetry and prose?

Yes, personification can be found in both poetry and prose. In poetry, it is often used to evoke strong imagery or convey emotions. In prose, it can add depth to narrative descriptions and help to express themes or the atmosphere of a setting more vividly.

Why do writers use personification?

Writers use personification to breathe life into non-human elements, making their work more compelling and imaginative. It allows them to express thoughts and emotions in creative ways, to highlight connections between humans and the natural world, and to imbue abstract concepts with relatable characteristics.

How can I identify personification in a text?

To identify personification in a text, look for descriptions where non-human objects or concepts perform actions or exhibit emotions typically associated with humans. This could include nature behaving in human-like ways, objects interacting as if alive, or ideas being described with human qualities. Recognizing personification involves noticing when an author attributes animate characteristics to inanimate entities.

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Personification Worksheet

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

30 March 2020

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This resource contains two worksheets on the literary device of personification.

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Personification - Set of 16 Worksheets

This resource contains a set of 16 worksheets on identifying and using personification.

Tasks include:

Identifying personification in sentences and poetry and literature from The Ancient Mariner by Coleridge, The Fog by Carl Sandburg , Jack Frost, The Eight-Story Kiss by Tom Robbins , The Windmill by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow , Sea Fever by John Masefield, I wandered lonely as a cloud by William Wordsworth, Snow and Snow by Ted Hughes.

Writing sentences and short paragraphs containing personification

Personification PowerPoint Lesson

This resource contains a 50 slide PowerPoint lesson on personification. The PowerPoint includes:

An explanation and definition of personification and why it is used.

Examples of personification from poetry and literature - I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud, The Ancient Mariner, Snow and Snow, The Fog, The Eight-Story Kiss.

Opportunities for pupils to identify personification in sentences, texts and poetry.

Images for students to compose their own writing containing personification.

Set of 36 Personification Posters

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Free Printable Personification worksheets

Personification worksheets: Discover an extensive collection of free printable resources for Reading & Writing teachers to help students understand and master the art of attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.

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Personification worksheets are an excellent resource for teachers to help their students develop a strong foundation in reading and writing, grammar, language, and vocabulary. These worksheets focus on figurative language, specifically personification, which is a literary device that gives human qualities to non-human objects or ideas. By incorporating personification worksheets into their lesson plans, teachers can effectively engage their students in understanding and applying this important aspect of language. In addition to improving their reading and writing skills, students will also enhance their overall language and vocabulary knowledge. As a result, personification worksheets are an essential tool for teachers to foster their students' growth in language arts and ensure they are well-equipped to tackle more complex literary concepts in the future.

Quizizz is an innovative platform that offers a wide range of educational resources, including personification worksheets, to support teachers in their quest to enhance their students' reading, writing, grammar, language, and vocabulary skills. With Quizizz, teachers can create interactive quizzes and games that not only test their students' understanding of figurative language but also make learning fun and engaging. The platform also offers various other resources, such as flashcards and interactive lessons, to help teachers create a comprehensive and well-rounded learning experience for their students. By utilizing Quizizz in conjunction with personification worksheets, teachers can effectively reinforce their students' understanding of language arts concepts and ensure they are well-prepared to excel in their academic pursuits.

Figurative Language

Figurative Language Definition

What is figurative language? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Figurative language is language that contains or uses figures of speech . When people use the term "figurative language," however, they often do so in a slightly narrower way. In this narrower definition, figurative language refers to language that uses words in ways that deviate from their literal interpretation to achieve a more complex or powerful effect. This view of figurative language focuses on the use of figures of speech that play with the meaning of words, such as metaphor , simile , personification , and hyperbole .

Some additional key details about figurative language:

• Figurative language is common in all sorts of writing, as well as in spoken language.
• Figurative language refers to language that contains figures of speech, while figures of speech are the particular techniques. If figurative speech is like a dance routine, figures of speech are like the various moves that make up the routine.
• It's a common misconception that imagery, or vivid descriptive language, is a kind of figurative language. In fact, writers can use figurative language as one tool to help create imagery, but imagery does not have to use figurative language.

Figurative Language Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce figurative language: fig -yer-uh-tiv lang -gwij

Figures of Speech and Figurative Language

To fully understand figurative language, it's helpful to have a basic understanding of figures of speech. More specifically, it's helpful to understand the two main types of figures of speech: tropes and schemes .

• Tropes are figures of speech that play with and shift the expected and literal meaning of words.
• Schemes are figures of speech that involve a change from the typical mechanics of a sentence, such as the order, pattern, or arrangement of words.

Put even more simply: tropes play with the meaning of words, while schemes play with the structure of words, phrases, and sentences.

The Different Things People Mean When They Say Figurative Language

When people say figurative language, they don't always mean the precise same thing. Here are the three different ways people usually talk about figurative language:

• Dictionary definition of figurative language: According to the dictionary, figurative language is simply any language that contains or uses figures of speech. This definition would mean that figurative language includes the use of both tropes and schemes.
• Much more common real world use of figurative language: However, when people (including teachers) refer to figurative language, they usually mean language that plays with the literal meaning of words. This definition sees figurative language as language that primarily involves the use of tropes.
• Another common real world use of figurative language: Some people define figurative language as including figures of speech that play with meaning as well as a few other common schemes that affect the rhythm and sound of text, such as alliteration and assonance .

What does all that boil down to for you? If you hear someone talking about figurative language, you can usually safely assume they are referring to language that uses figures of speech to play with the meaning of words and, perhaps, with the way that language sounds or feels.

Common Types of Figurative Language

There are many, many types of figures of speech that can be involved in figurative language. Some of the most common are:

• Metaphor : A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another thing, even though this isn't literally true. For example, the phrase "her lips are a blooming rose" obviously doesn't literally mean what it says—it's a metaphor that makes a comparison between the red beauty and promise of a blooming rose with that of the lips of the woman being described.
• Simile : A simile, like a metaphor, makes a comparison between two unrelated things. However, instead of stating that one thing is another thing (as in metaphor), a simile states that one thing is like another thing. An example of a simile would be to say "they fought like cats and dogs."
• Oxymoron : An oxymoron pairs contradictory words in order to express new or complex meanings. In the phrase "parting is such sweet sorrow" from Romeo and Juliet , "sweet sorrow" is an oxymoron that captures the complex and simultaneous feelings of pain and pleasure associated with passionate love.
• Hyperbole : Hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration of the truth, used to emphasize the importance of something or to create a comic effect. An example of a hyperbole is to say that a backpack "weighs a ton." No backpack literally weighs a ton, but to say "my backpack weighs ten pounds" doesn't effectively communicate how burdensome a heavy backpack feels.
• Personification : In personification, non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent to their plans." Describing the rain as "indifferent" is an example of personification, because rain can't be "indifferent," nor can it feel any other human emotion.
• Idiom : An idiom is a phrase that, through general usage within a particular group or society, has gained a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. The phrase "it's raining cats and dogs" is known to most Americans to mean that it's raining hard, but an English-speaking foreigner in the United States might find the phrase totally confusing.
• Onomatopoeia : Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words evoke the actual sound of the thing they refer to or describe. The “boom” of a firework exploding, the “tick tock” of a clock, and the “ding dong” of a doorbell are all examples of onomatopoeia.
• Synecdoche : In synecdoche, a part of something is used to refer to its whole . For example, "The captain commands one hundred sails" is a synecdoche that uses "sails" to refer to ships—ships being the thing of which a sail is a part.
• Metonymy : Metonymy is a figure of speech in which an object or concept is referred to not by its own name, but instead by the name of something closely associated with it. For example, in "Wall Street prefers lower taxes," the New York City street that was the original home of the New York Stock Exchange stands in for (or is a "metonym" for) the entire American financial industry.
• Alliteration : In alliteration, the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “ b ” sound in: “ B ob b rought the b ox of b ricks to the b asement.” Alliteration uses repetition to create a musical effect that helps phrases to stand out from the language around them.
• Assonance : The repetition of vowel sounds repeat in nearby words, such as the " ee " sound: "the squ ea ky wh ee l gets the gr ea se." Like alliteration, assonance uses repeated sounds to create a musical effect in which words echo one another.

Figurative Language vs. Imagery

Many people (and websites) argue that imagery is a type of figurative language. That is actually incorrect. Imagery refers to a writers use of vivid and descriptive language to appeal to the reader's senses and more deeply evoke places, things, emotions, and more. The following sentence uses imagery to give the reader a sense of how what is being described looks, feels, smells, and sounds:

The night was dark and humid, the scent of rotting vegetation hung in the air, and only the sound of mosquitoes broke the quiet of the swamp.

This sentence uses no figurative language. Every word means exactly what it says, and the sentence is still an example of the use of imagery. That said, imagery can use figurative language, often to powerful effect:

The night was dark and humid, heavy with a scent of rotting vegetation like a great-aunt's heavy and inescapable perfume, and only the whining buzz of mosquitoes broke the silence of the swamp.

In this sentence, the description has been made more powerful through the use of a simile ("like a great-aunt's..."), onomatopoeia ("whining buzz," which not only describes but actually sounds like the noise made by mosquitoes), and even a bit of alliteration in the " s ilence of the s wamp."

To sum up: imagery is not a form of figurative language. But a writer can enhance his or her effort to write imagery through the use of figurative language.

Figurative Language Examples

Figurative language is more interesting, lively, beautiful, and memorable than language that's purely literal. Figurative language is found in all sorts of writing, from poetry to prose to speeches to song lyrics, and is also a common part of spoken speech. The examples below show a variety of different types of figures of speech. You can see many more examples of each type at their own specific LitChart entries.

Figurative Language Example: Metaphor

Metaphor in shakespeare's romeo and juliet.

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet , Romeo uses the following metaphor in Act 2 Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet , after sneaking into Juliet's garden and catching a glimpse of her on her balcony:

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Romeo compares Juliet to the sun not only to describe how radiantly beautiful she is, but also to convey the full extent of her power over him. He's so taken with Juliet that her appearances and disappearances affect him like those of the sun. His life "revolves" around Juliet like the earth orbits the sun.

Figurative Language Example: Simile

In this example of a simile from Slaughterhouse-Five , Billy Pilgrim emerges from an underground slaughterhouse where he has been held prisoner by the Germans during the deadly World War II firebombing of Dresden:

It wasn't safe to come out of the shelter until noon the next day. When the Americans and their guards did come out, the sky was black with smoke. The sun was an angry little pinhead. Dresden was like the moon now , nothing but minerals. The stones were hot. Everybody else in the neighborhood was dead.

Vonnegut uses simile to compare the bombed city of Dresden to the moon in order to capture the totality of the devastation—the city is so lifeless that it is like the barren moon.

Figurative Language Example: Oxymoron

These lines from Chapter 7 of Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls describe an encounter between Robert Jordan, a young American soldier fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and his lover María.

She held herself tight to him and her lips looked for his and then found them and were against them and he felt her, fresh, new and smooth and young and lovely with the warm, scalding coolness and unbelievable to be there in the robe that was as familiar as his clothes, or his shoes, or his duty and then she said, frightenedly, “And now let us do quickly what it is we do so that the other is all gone.”

The couple's relationship becomes a bright spot for both of them in the midst of war, but ultimately also a source of pain and confusion for Jordan, as he struggles to balance his obligation to fight with his desire to live happily by Maria's side. The contradiction contained within the oxymoron "scalding coolness" emphasizes the couple's conflicting emotions and impossible situation.

Figurative Language Example: Hyperbole

Elizabeth Bennet, the most free-spirited character in Pride and Prejudice , refuses Mr. Darcy's first marriage proposal with a string of hyperbole :

From the very beginning, from the first moment I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form that ground-work of disapprobation, on which succeeding events have built so immoveable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.

Elizabeth's closing statement, that Darcy is the "last man in the world" whom she would ever marry, is an obvious hyperbole. It's hard to believe that Elizabeth would rather marry, say, an axe murderer or a diseased pirate than Mr. Darcy. Even beyond the obvious exaggeration, Austen's use of hyperbole in this exchange hints at the fact that Elizabeth's feelings for Darcy are more complicated than she admits, even to herself. Austen drops various hints throughout the beginning of the novel that Elizabeth feels something beyond mere dislike for Darcy. Taken together with these hints, Elizabeth's hyperbolic statements seem designed to convince not only Darcy, but also herself, that their relationship has no future.

Figurative Language Example: Personification

In Chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter , Nathaniel Hawthorne describes a wild rose bush that grows in front of Salem's gloomy wooden jail:

But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.

In the context of the novel's setting in 17th century Boston, this rose bush, which grows wild in front of an establishment dedicated to enforcing harsh puritan values, symbolizes those elements of human nature that cannot be repressed, no matter how strict a community's moral code may be: desire, fertility, and a love of beauty. By personifying the rosebush as "offering" its blossoms to reflect Nature's pity (Nature is also personified here as having a "heart"), Hawthorne turns the passive coincidence of the rosebush's location into an image of human nature actively resisting its constraints.

Figurative Language Example: Idiom

Figurative language example: onomatopoeia.

In Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's The Tempest , Caliban uses onomatopoeia to convey the noises of the island.

Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices...

The use of onomatopoeia makes the audience feel the sounds on the island, rather than just have to take Caliban's word about there being noises.

Figurative Language Example: Synecdoche

In Act 4, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth , an angry Macbeth kicks out a servant by saying:

Take thy face hence.

Here, "thy face" stands in for "you." Macbeth is simply telling the servant to leave, but his use of synecdoche makes the tone of his command more harsh and insulting because he uses synecdoche to treat the servant not as a person but as an object, a body part.

Figurative Language Example: Metonymy

In his song "Juicy," Notorious B.I.G. raps:

Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight

Here he's using "limelight" as a metonymy for fame (a "limelight" was a kind of spotlight used in old theaters, and so it came to be associated with the fame of being in the spotlight). Biggie's use of metonymy here also sets him up for a sweet rhyme.

Figurative Language Example: Alliteration

In his song "Rap God," Eminem shows his incredible lyrical dexterity by loading up the alliteration :

S o I wanna make sure, s omewhere in this chicken s cratch I S cribble and doodle enough rhymes T o maybe t ry t o help get s ome people through t ough t imes But I gotta k eep a few punchlines Just in c ase, ‘ c ause even you un s igned Rappers are hungry l ooking at me l ike it's l unchtime…

Why Do Writers Use Figurative Language?

The term figurative language refers to a whole host of different figures of speech, so it's difficult to provide a single definitive answer to why writers use figurative language. That said, writers use figurative language for a wide variety of reasons:

• Interest and beauty: Figurative language allows writes to express descriptions, ideas, and more in ways that are unique and beautiful.
• Complexity and power: Because figurative language can create meanings that go beyond the literal, it can capture complex ideas, feelings, descriptions, or truths that cause readers to see things in a new way, or more closely mirror the complex reality of the world.
• Visceral affect: Because figurative language can both impact the rhythm and sound of language, and also connect the abstract (say, love) with the concrete (say, a rose), it can help language make an almost physical impact on a reader.
• Humor: By allowing a writer to layer additional meanings over literal meanings, or even to imply intended meanings that are the opposite of the literal meaning, figurative language gives writers all sorts of options for creating humor in their writing.
• Realism: People speak and even think in terms of the sorts of comparisons that underlie so much figurative language. Rather than being flowery, figurative language allows writers to describe things in ways that match how people really think about them, and to create characters who themselves feel real.

In general, figurative language often makes writing feel at once more accessible and powerful, more colorful, surprising, and deep.

Other Helpful Figurative Language Resources

• The dictionary definition of figurative : Touches on figurative language, as well as some other meanings of the word.
• Figurative and Frost : Examples of figurative language in the context of the poetry of Robert Frost.
• Figurative YouTube : A video identifying various forms of figurative language from movies and television shows.
• Wikipedia on literal and figurative language : A bit technical, but with a good list of examples.

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