2.1.4
Personification
Personification
Personification
Personification is when you give human characteristics to something non-human to create imagery.
Moaning wind
Moaning wind
- The frosty wind moaned.
- In this phrase, you are creating an image of the wind making a moaning sound. This is personification because moaning is a human action – the noise is produced from a human mouth. The wind cannot physically produce a moan.
Groaning stairs
Groaning stairs
- The stairs groaned under the weight of the huge monstrosity.
- In this phrase, you are creating an image of the stairs making a groaning sound. This is personification because groaning is a human action – the noise is produced from a human mouth. Therefore, the stairs cannot actually produce a groan.
Clawing tree branches
Clawing tree branches
- The tree branches clawed at her face as she ran past.
- In this phrase, you are creating an image of the trees making a choice to reach out their branches and claw at the woman’s face. This is personification because clawing is a human action and usually requires a conscious decision – trees cannot actually make the decision to claw at people.
Tips for Using Personification
Tips for Using Personification
Personification is when you give human characteristics to something non-human to create imagery.
Focus on the image
Focus on the image
- Focus on the image you are trying to create.
- What are you describing and what human quality do you think would suit it?
Consider tone/atmosphere
Consider tone/atmosphere
- Consider what kind of tone/atmosphere you are trying to create – for example, if you want to create a positive, happy setting, then you might not want the trees in your sentences to be ‘clawing’ at people. Instead, you could have the leaves ‘tickling’ or ‘caressing’ your skin as you pass them.
Choose vocabulary carefully
Choose vocabulary carefully
- Your choice of vocabulary is vital in creating your language devices effectively.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
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