Which Statement Is an Example of Personification? Understanding This Literary Device

What is Personification?

Personification is one of the most commonly used literary devices, especially in poetry and storytelling. But what does it actually mean? In simple terms, personification gives human characteristics to non-human things or abstract concepts. When you personify something, you describe it as if it were a person, with emotions, actions, or traits usually attributed to humans.

For example, instead of saying “The wind blew,” personification would turn this into something like, “The wind whispered through the trees.” Here, the wind is given the ability to whisper, which is a human trait.

It’s an easy way to bring life and emotion to otherwise inanimate or abstract things. But how can you identify a statement that uses personification? Let’s break it down.

Identifying Personification in Examples

Example 1: "The sun smiled down on us."

This is a clear example of personification. The sun is given the human characteristic of smiling. Obviously, the sun cannot literally smile, but by attributing this human trait to it, the sentence evokes a sense of warmth and friendliness. The action of "smiling" adds a positive, welcoming image to the scene.

Example 2: "The car engine roared to life."

Here, the car engine is being described as "roaring." Engines don’t actually roar like animals, but this is a case of giving a non-living object a human-like behavior (a roar). This description helps create a more vivid and dynamic image of the engine starting up.

Example 3: "The flowers danced in the wind."

In this sentence, the flowers are described as dancing. While flowers don’t have the ability to dance, this personification helps convey the idea of the flowers moving gracefully with the breeze, making the image more lively and poetic.

Why Do Writers Use Personification?

To Create Emotional Impact

Personification can help create stronger emotional connections with readers. By describing natural elements, objects, or ideas as if they had human emotions or actions, writers can convey feelings more effectively.

For example, saying “the night was crying” (meaning it was raining heavily) adds an emotional depth that just stating “it rained heavily” wouldn’t.

To Enhance Imagery

It’s all about painting a picture in the reader’s mind. When you personify an object or an idea, it makes the scene more relatable and vibrant. It’s much easier for us to imagine an object “talking” or “running” than just observing it as an inanimate thing. The visual and emotional connections we make are amplified, making the story richer.

To Add Creativity and Uniqueness

Another reason writers use personification is to add a unique voice to their work. Describing the wind as “sighing” or a storm as “angry” is a creative way to make otherwise mundane aspects of the story stand out. It’s a fun way to engage readers’ imagination.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Personification

Confusing Personification with Metaphors or Similes

Sometimes people confuse personification with metaphors or similes. While metaphors and similes also describe things by comparing them to others, they don’t necessarily attribute human characteristics.

For example:

• Metaphor: "Time is a thief."

• Simile: "The water was like a mirror."

These are not personification because they don't give human traits to non-human things. They compare, but they don’t personify.

Overusing Personification

As powerful as personification can be, overusing it can make the writing feel too exaggerated or unrealistic. Too much of it, especially in a single piece, can make it difficult for the reader to connect with the more genuine or grounded moments in the story.

It’s about balance – personification should enhance, not overpower, the message or emotion being conveyed.

Conclusion: Recognizing Personification in Literature

In short, when you encounter a statement with human traits applied to something non-human or abstract, you’re looking at personification. It’s a simple but effective technique that can deeply enhance the emotional impact and imagery of any piece of writing.

So next time you read something like "The wind howled through the night," or "The city never sleeps," remember — these are perfect examples of personification, and understanding them is key to understanding the depth of the author's intent.

By knowing how to identify personification and its purpose, you can better appreciate the nuances in the writing you read every day.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.