Simple Definition:
Personification is a literary device that gives human qualities [characteristics that people have] to non-human things [objects or animals]. It is used to make the description more interesting and imaginative.
For example:
- The wind whispered in my ear. [Personifying the wind – the wind cannot literally whisper as humans do]
- The sun smiled on the beach. [Personifying the sun – smiling is a human characteristic]
Very Simple Definition:
Personification is when we give human qualities to things that are not human.
For example:
- The flowers danced in the breeze. [dancing is done by humans]
- The stars winked at me in the sky. [winking is done by humans]