Figurative Language

Personification

In Lesson 34 you will:1. Understand what is ‘personification’.2. Know the purpose of personification.3. Practice writing personifications.

What is a personification?

Personification makes things human. It gives human qualities to things that are not human. The pencil picture shows this idea. The happy pencilThink of the word ‘person’ to letyou know it will have human-likebehavior or traits.

Figurative Language

Where do you find personification?Personification is usually found in many different genres. It is often used in poetry, fables and fairy tales.

Figurative Language

Why do authors use personification?It allows the reader to think creativelywith human character traits for

Continued…objects that are not human. It helps the reader to see things in new ways. In this way we get a better understanding.

Figurative Language

How to recognize personification…Let’s look at some examples.

Can you see why these are examples of personification?The wind howled into the night.The old house groaned as the wind beat on it.The angry ocean whipped the shore again and again.The rain danced on the roof to a steady beat.

Figurative Language

How do the examples show personification?The wind howled into the night.The old house groaned as the wind beat on it.The angry ocean whipped the shore again and again.The rain danced on the roof to a steady beat.

Figurative Language

The First DandelionBy Walt Whitman

Simple and fresh and fair from winter’s close emerging,

As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics, had ever been,

Forth from its sunny nook of shelter’d grass-innocent,

Golden, calm as the dawn,The spring’s first dandelion shows its

trustful face.

Did you find the personification in the poem?

Figurative Language

1. Winter is leaving: closing2. The dandelion is presented as

the main character: innocent, calm and trustful

Is there personification in the bible?Yes, there is! This form of figurative language is used very effectively. It makes us think about things in a new way to help us understand better.

Figurative Language

Let’s look at some examples of personification in the bible:

Figurative Language

Example: "Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars" (Proverbs 9:1).

Let’s look at some examples of personification in the bible:

Figurative Language

Example: ”You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. She’s worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary." (Proverbs 3:13-15).

Let’s look at some examples of personification in the bible:

Figurative Language

Example: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other: or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Money" (Matthew 6:24).

How do you think personification compares to a metaphor, or simile? Do you prefer one over the other? Why?

Figurative Language

Practice using personification on the following :

Figurative Language

Wind NightBook SunshineMoon PetLove

Here are 2 examples to get you started:

Figurative Language

Love wrapped me up in warm embrace.The moon pointed the way as it guided my steps through the dark woods.

Reading is Thinking Practice

Read the following passage: Genesis 33:1-20, The Message

Respond in your journal on the following:

1.What is the main idea of this passage? (Make sure you support your opinion by using the text.)

2. What connections did you make with this chapter? What questions do you have?

(Think about what happened between Esau and Jacob. Was there forgiveness between the brothers?)

Share your connections and questions in the Discussion Forum with others taking this course!

Here are some questions I want you to reflect on in your journal:

A.Why do you think Esau acted so kind to Jacob? Explain.

B.What could have happened if Esau did not forgive his brother?

C. Do you think we can learn from this?

Explain your thinking.

Look for examples of personification in your reading this week. Record them in your journal. Remember to write the date and title: Examples of Personification.

Writing

Good-Bye, until next time!

I look forward to teaching you more about figurative language in Lesson 35. Until then, keep writing! Write anything you want. Free write! Keep up your reading! Use the CROPQV to show reading is thinking!