Definition
Personification in writing is when writers give human traits to a non-human item.
Personification in writing is when writers give human traits to a non-human item.
To give you a clear example I am going to use a cliche:
A man stands beside his friend and says, "Isn't she a beauty". (Referring to the car he just bought.)
Obviously the car cannot have a gender but the use of this type of figurative language enhances the meaning behind the words. The character (the man) is comparing his new car to a beautiful woman. This can change the scene and the character.
For a basic formula:
{ Non-Human Thing + Human Trait / Verb = Personification }
Do it Right
{ Non-Human Thing + Human Trait / Verb = Personification }
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| What is it? Who Cares!! It's Your Story |
Personification can impact the character, story, tone, and mood, of your writing. When using this type of comparison it is important to remember the context of your story. If your story occurs in a fantasy medieval setting--the example above would seem ridiculous. Make sure that your comparisons come naturally for your characters.
Do it wrong
Don't confuse personification with anthropomorphism. Don't confuse personification with fantasy race creation. In a fantasy story you may have characters that are unique--such as Tolkien's talking trees.
A fantasy race is allowed to act on its own accord.
Examples
What does it look like?
(1) The fire fed its belly on the village.
(2) The fire fed on the village.
Non-Human Thing = Fire
Human Attribute = belly
Verb = Fed
Further Reading