What do you think

Personification means?

Created by Sharlet Mullen

For BSU Language Arts III ED 3203

Personification
Personification means giving human
traits (qualities, feelings, actions or
characteristics) directly to a non-living
object.

3.1.4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
distinguishing literal from nonliteral language, including figurative language such as
similes.

Personification
Thinks of it this way:
Personification is when an
author/writer gives characteristics of a
person to an animal or an object.

The Wind Howled at Night.

Personification
Examples:
The sad Cloud,
who wanted to
make friends.

The tree that

talked.

The Flowers Dance in the Grass.

Descriptive words:
On chart paper we are going to

create a list of descriptive words.

Laughing
Swimming

Why use personification in

your writing?
Many times an author will use this literary
technique to add more fun, drama, sparkle,
excitement, or interest to a story or to
convey a certain mood.
Can letters of the alphabet race to the top
of the coconut tree?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
by: Bill Martin Jr.
Big Idea: Writers use words to paint a picture of a situation or idea
when they write a story or poem?

Why use personification in your

writing?
It makes more sense to us (as readers) to
understand what they author is talking
about when WE can RELATE to the
emotions or characteristics that the nonliving object has.
Can a little train engine talk herself into
pulling a bunch of heavy cars up a steep
hill by repeating, think I can, I think I can,
I think I can?
What Book?

Objective(s): Student will be able to recognize personification in childrens literature and

sentience phrases.

The Little Engine That Could

by Watty Piper

Personification
Examples
the trees were dancing with the wind
the pot of soup bubbled merrily on the
stove
the sun peeked over the hill.
Why are these sentences examples of personification?
What do you picture?
What is the object or animal?
What human Characteristics was it given?

Questions ? Ready to Try?

Traffic slowed to a crawl.
The stairs groaned as we walked on them.
My flowers were begging for water.
Time flies and waits for no one.
My cars headlights winked at me.

Underline the object and circle the human

Characteristics.

Ready to Try?
Two worksheets
First worksheet read the sentence,
underline the object being
personified and circle the human
characteristic. (What the object is
doing that makes it a
personification) singing, danced,
winks, hugs, wraps.
Second worksheet read the pair of

sentences. Circle the sentence that

uses personification.

End of Day 1
Assessment of worksheet 1 Guided Practice

This worksheet will start as a guided activity and when the

student feels ready they can finish on their own.
Do 1, 2, and 3 together if ready try on own
Help answer question 4 and 5 if ready try on own
5 to 10 students talk teacher through the rest/help as needed

Assessment of worksheet 2

The assessment is so students gain an understanding of

personification.
8 to 12 The student gets the concept and is ready to write.
1 to 7 The student needs more examples and practice before

writing.

Day 2 Personification
What is personification?
Personification is when an author/writer gives

characteristics of a person to an animal or an

object.
Why would an author use personification in writing?
Many times an author will use this literary technique

to add more fun, drama, sparkle, excitement, or

interest to a story or to convey a certain mood.
Helps audience relate to the emotions being used.

Personify this picture of a house.

What is the
object or animal?
What human
Characteristics
was given?

Personify this picture of a house.

Personify this picture of a house.

Art:
Each student will receive
1 piece of Orange Construction Paper
piece of Yellow construction paper.
Other colors are in the scrap box if students
want to add other details or use markers to add
color.
Each student create a pumpkin character for a
writing lesson later.

Other materials:
Scissors
Glue sticks
Pencils

Art
Time to create: on the orange piece of
construction paper create a pumpkin
character.
Things to think about
Shape What shape is the pumpkin? Is
the shape creative and exciting?
Features Arm, face, legs, hair
Activity What will the pumpkin do in the
story?
Movement Will the pumpkin move?

Make the pumpkin shape

come to life
Does it need arms, feet, a
face?
Maybe wheels or wings?

Possibly a tail or hair?

The possibility is endless.
Use the list to help think of
ideas.

Got an Idea?

The class will have 15 minutes.

Students need:
Pencil
Pumpkin Character
Writing Journal or notebook

Writing
The Pumpkin created now needs a
story.

What must be in the story?

Must describe the pumpkin you created.
Must give the pumpkin a name and
personality. Example: I am Polly the Pumpkin,
and I love to bake.
The story must use personification.
The story should be creative.
The Goal is for the reader to enjoy the
story.
Use your imagination.
Writing - 3.6.4.4 3 With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and
organization are appropriate to task and purpose. Personification story of pumpkin character.

Other options and

resources:
1. May use descriptive words list from Day 1.
2. May use childrens literature to reference for examples.
3. May talk with table partner for more suggestions.

Plan

2-days to write

Writing Process
Plan (pre-write create pumpkin, give name
and characteristics)
Write
Revision (re-read, check for spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, spacing, letter
formation and read with partner)
Edit
Publish on final draft paper

Use Checklist and Rubric

for reference

What
will
be
graded?
1. The student will create a creative story with
details that contribute to the readers
enjoyment.
2. The student will use several personifications to
give the pumpkin human like traits in an
exciting way.
3. The student will use capitalization, punctuation
and check spelling during the writing process.
4. The student will create a legible story with
proper spacing, and formation of letters.

Expectations
How does work time in the
classroom?...Quiet
Students should
work the whole time
stay at their spots
and do their best.

Sources
Barker, Kim. "Personification Practice Page."Teachers Pay Teachers. TeachersPayTeachers.com, 21 Oct.
2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Dawn. "How to Draw Thomas the Tank Engine."Dragoart. N.p., 13 Feb. 2008. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Fanpop, Inc. Finding Nemo."- Fanpop. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016

Freeman, Don.Corduroy. New York: Puffin, 1968. Print.

Goguen, Isabel. "Tale as Old as Time."Guacamole Window:. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

Horowitz, Dave. "The Ugly Pumpkin."The Ugly Pumpkin. Puffin Books, 14 Aug. 2008. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.
London, Jonathan, and Frank Remkiewicz.Froggy's Halloween. New York: Puffin, 2002. Print.

Martin, Bill, John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert.Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. New York: Little Simon, 2006.
Print.

Piper, Watty, George Hauman, and Doris Hauman.The Little Engine That Could. New York: Platt & Munk,
1976. Print.