PERSONIFICATION

Human Characteristics

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EXPLANATION

Sometimes a writer will give human characteristics to nonhuman things. Objects, ideas, places or animals may be given human qualities. They may perform human actions. This type of figurative language is called personification. It helps the writer create an exciting picture in the reader’s mind.

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EXAMPLES:

• The sailboat danced gracefully past us.

• The flames ate hungrily at the burning house.

• The once-proud trees bent meekly before the storm.

• The broad, flat rock lay sunning itself by the stream.

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PRACTICE• Directions:• Read the sentence, think about the meaning,

notice how personification creates a word picture. Identify the personification in each sentence.

1. The fog crept silently into the valley.2. The tree fought the wind with its branches3. The computer devoured information all day

long.

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REVIEW

• Sometimes a writer will give human characteristics to nonhuman things.

• Objects, ideas, places, or animals may be given human qualities.

• They may perform human actions. • This type of figurative language is called

personification.

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HELPFUL HINTS

• To recognize personification:1. Read the sentence carefully.2. Try to see the meaning of the

words in your mind.3. Notice how personification creates

a word picture and makes the sentence more interesting.

Two Sunflowers Move in the Yellow Room.

"Ah, William, we're weary of weather,"said the sunflowers, shining with dew."Our traveling habits have tired us.Can you give us a room with a view?"

They arranged themselves at the windowand counted the steps of the sun,and they both took root in the carpetwhere the topaz tortoises run.

William Blake(1757-1827)

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The Cat & The Fiddle

Hey diddle, Diddle,The cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon;The little dog laughed To see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

By Mother Goose10

• Create a poem with your group using personification

• Each member of your group has a specific responsibility.

• Team Leader look in back of your card and you will find out the “topic” of which your poem needs to be about.

• Everyone needs to work on the poem and poster together.

Have fun 11