Personification Example: How to Use It in Writing to Engage Readers

August 25, 2025 Jason Edward 275 Views 0 Comments Personification

Alright, let’s talk about personification. Or more specifically — let’s talk about that one literary device that can magically turn a thunderstorm into a screaming banshee, or a lonely streetlamp into a wistful old man. That’s right. Welcome to the wonderful, slightly weird world of personification.

Now, before we dive in like overcaffeinated dolphins, here’s the game plan. We’re gonna explore every nook and cranny of how a good personification example works. I’ll throw in a few of my own glorious (and not-so-glorious) attempts. We’ll get casual, maybe a little chaotic. You might even laugh once. Or at least smirk.

Let’s roll.

What Is Personification Anyway?

So, here’s the plain-English definition: Personification is when you give human traits to non-human things. Boom. That’s it.

It’s not about making things talk like in Disney movies — though that’s part of it. It’s more like giving attitude or emotion to stuff that really shouldn’t have either. Like the way your alarm clock “screams” at you in the morning.

Basic Personification Example:

The wind whispered through the trees.
— Obviously, wind can’t whisper. But you feel that mood, right?

Or here’s one I scribbled once while half-asleep:

The moon watched me like it knew my secrets.
— Honestly, it felt kinda creepy. Like some cosmic tattletale.

That’s the magic of it. It’s not just visual — it’s emotional. And yeah, it’s lowkey everywhere.

Why Writers Use Personification (A Lot)

Because it works. That’s the simple answer. But let’s break it down.

1. It makes boring stuff interesting

You could say “the leaves moved in the breeze.” Fine. Whatever.

Or you could say:

The leaves danced in the breeze like they were showing off.

Now we’re talking. That’s a personification example that slaps.

2. It helps set the mood

You can shift a whole scene’s vibe with just one well-placed line:

The shadows crawled across the floor.
The morning sun peeked in like a nosy neighbor.

Big difference, right?

3. Readers remember it

Because brains are weird. We like stories. We like people. So when non-people start acting like people? It sticks.

I once read a story where a house was described as “grumbling through the night.” I don’t remember the plot. But I remember that dang house.

Everyday Personification Example You Already Use

You don’t have to be Shakespeare to use this trick. You already do — in real life.

Here’s proof:

“My phone died.” (Phones don’t “die.” They just shut off. But “died” sounds more dramatic.)
“Time flies.” (It doesn’t. Time has no wings. And yet we all say it.)

One time, I yelled, “This coffee hates me!” because I spilled it three times. In reality, it was just gravity. But still. Felt personal.

Let’s list a few more you’ve definitely used:

The sun smiled down on us.
My computer is being stubborn.
The car groaned as it started.

Each one? Yep — solid personification example material.

How to Actually Write a Good Personification Example

Okay, let’s say you’re writing a story or an essay and you wanna spice it up. Here’s how to make your personification sing.

Step 1: Pick your object

What are you describing? A tree? A thunderstorm? A slice of toast?

Doesn’t matter. Pick something non-human.

Step 2: Ask: “If this thing were a person, what would it do?”

Would the clouds sigh?
Would the door protest being opened?
Would the floor grumble under heavy boots?

Start there.

Step 3: Use emotion or intention

It’s not just about action. The trick is giving feelings.

The wind begged me to stay.
The flame danced, unaware it was dying.

I tried writing a poem once where the ocean “refused to speak to me.” Honestly, I still think it was a mood.

Famous Writers Who Nailed It

Let’s take a little walk through the literary park.

William Wordsworth — the guy who made daffodils sound like extroverts:

“Ten thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance.”

That’s a personification example with serious spring vibes.

Emily Dickinson — moody queen of metaphor:

“Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me.”

Death = a guy in a carriage. Dark, right? But also clever.

Ray Bradbury — master of weird:

“The house shuddered.”

That’s it. Just that. A shuddering house. I still feel uneasy.

Wrote this paragraph by hand. Then spilled coffee on it. Classic.

Personification in Real Life (and Slightly Embarrassing Stories)

I remember when I was 8, I swore our family fridge hated me. It always hummed louder when I walked by. I once whispered “shut up” to it, and my mom looked at me like I needed a nap. Fair.

Another time in college, I named my printer Harold. Because he refused to print my term paper unless I begged him. I said “please” out loud once. Not even joking.

These are all just casual, lived-in personification example moments.

You probably have your own. Ever cursed at a remote? Or said “you traitor” when your pen runs out?

Yeah. That’s personification, too.

Quickfire List: 15 Solid Personification Examples

Here’s a whole buffet of phrases you can swipe or get inspired by:

The clouds marched across the sky.
The stars winked at me.
The door yawned open.
The wind slapped me awake.
The kettle screamed for attention.
The old car coughed and sputtered.
The clock stared at me accusingly.
The rain danced on the roof.
The leaves whispered secrets.
The fire crackled with laughter.
The streetlight blinked sleepily.
The stairs moaned under his weight.
The sun chased away the fog.
The pencil trembled in my hand.
The shadows tiptoed around the room.

Use one. Twist one. Heck, make it weirder. That’s the fun.

Mixing Personification with Other Literary Tricks

Alright, advanced mode. Let’s say you want to go full literary wizard.

Try mixing personification with:

1. Metaphor

The river was a restless child, always running away.
(Boom. Metaphor + personification.)

2. Simile

The wind howled like a wolf with something to prove.

3. Hyperbole

The sun glared so hard it burned a hole in my soul.
— Okay, a little dramatic. But it hits, right?

These blends make for some juicy lines — especially when you’re writing poetry, fiction, or a breakup letter to your laundry machine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though there’s no strict right or wrong, here are a few traps I fell into as a beginner:

Overdoing it

If everything is a person, it starts feeling like a weird Pixar movie. Pick your moments.

Confusing with metaphor

Metaphor = comparing
Personification = acting human

Like this:

❌ The sea was a monster. (Metaphor)
✅ The sea roared with fury. (Personification)

Using cliches

The angry storm.
The smiling sun.

We’ve all seen these a million times. Twist them a bit.

Try:

The storm grumbled like it’d just gotten bad news.
The sun peeked out like it wasn’t sure it was welcome.

Practice Time: Build Your Own Personification Example

Let’s get messy. Do this little writing challenge. Right now. No excuses.

Pick one:

Your least favorite kitchen appliance
The last place you cried
Something you saw this morning

Now give it a feeling.

Here’s mine:

The microwave blinked at me like it knew I was too lazy to cook for real.

You try. And don’t overthink it. Even if it sounds weird — that’s kinda the point.

Final Thoughts (If You’re Still Here, Gold Star)

So yeah, personification is kind of like adding seasoning to your writing. You don’t need it in every sentence, but when you sprinkle it just right? Magic.

From childhood cartoons to awkward poems I wrote in high school, I’ve seen how a solid personification example can take a plain sentence and give it soul.

Honestly, I still whisper “thank you” to my car when it starts without complaining. Is that weird? Probably. But hey, it works.

And that’s really the heart of it — writing that feels alive. Whether you’re crafting stories, journaling, or just trying to make a school essay sound cooler, personification gives your words a pulse.

Feels kinda cool, huh?