Renea Kruckemeyer
Read these books to find out how the authors use personification. Then use the guiding questions listed for each book to help you analyze and evaluate its use.
How does the author use personification in this story to create suspense?
Try rewriting one of the author's examples of personification in a more "boring" way and notice the difference. For example, instead of saying, "The match flickered and died as terror gripped her," the author could have said, "The match went out. She was afraid."
Now go back into your own writing and look for a "boring" sentence or idea. Use personification to spice it up.
As you read this story, notice how the author makes the wind seem like an actual character in the story by using personification.
Do you think the author's descriptions of the wind are effective? Why/Why not?
Most of us probably think of mountains as objects that remain still and silent. Read Thomas Locker's book and see how he uses personification to bring mountains to life.
Then choose another element of nature. Can you bring it to life in a similar manner using personification?
Read to find out how the author personifies sunshine and the river in this book about a visit to a lake.
What other human actions might an author use to describe the sun or a river?
