Personification

The attribution of human characteristics to something non-human to create imagery.

1. Groaning stairs

The stairs groaned under the wight 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.