Personification is a figurative language technique. It is when an author or speaker gives an object or idea human characteristics, abilities, or qualities. Here is an example of personification:
The frost paints the pines in the winter time.
In this example the writer gives frost the ability to paint. Frost can’t paint. People paint. Since the writer gives frost this human ability, the writer personifies it.
This is more poetic than saying that the pine trees were frosty. Sometimes students have difficulty identifying personification and distinguishing it from other figurative language techniques. I believe that this is because they need more practice working with examples of personification. These worksheets will give students the experience that they need.
Personification Worksheet 1 – Students practice identifying examples of personification and explain what human trait or characteristic the personified object or idea receives. The problems increase in difficulty toward the end of the worksheet.
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Personification Worksheet 2 – More practice for students to identify examples of personification and explain what human characteristic the personified object or idea receives. As with the first worksheet, the problems increase in difficulty toward the end.
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Personification Worksheet 3 – Still more practice identifying and explaining examples of personification. As with the other worksheets, the problems increase in difficulty near the end of the worksheet.
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Personification Worksheet 4 – 10 more personification problems! Read each example of personification, identify what is being personified, and describe the human qualities or characteristics that are being given.
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Personification Worksheet 5 – Here is another personification worksheet to help you or your students master personification skills. This one is a little bit harder than some of the others.
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Personification Worksheet 6 – The fun doesn’t stop with these personification worksheets! This one contains language that is a bit more difficult than the other worksheets on this page. It has ten excerpts from poems in which an example of personification is used. Students read the examples, determine what is being personified, and explain the quality, action, or trait that is given.
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Personification Worksheet 7 – Are you ready to push it to the max? This personification worksheet contains some pretty challenging language and some fantastic examples of personification. Another double-sided 10 problem worksheet to help students review personification.
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Personification Worksheet 8 – Your students will cheer when you give them this personification worksheet. How could they not? It is double-sided and contains ten examples of personification from moderately challenging texts. If your students do not cheer, perhaps they need more practice with personification.
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Personification Worksheet 9 – Here is yet another personification worksheet. This one contains examples drawn from some pretty complex texts. Recommended for advanced readers.
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Format Guide
RTF – These files should open up in any word processing program. I include the RTF files so that you may edit the content of these worksheets should you want to modify them for use in your classroom.
PDF – These files are designed to print exactly as they were intended by the author. If you like these worksheets as they are, consider using the PDF files.
HTM (Preview File) – These files open up directly in your web browser. Many people rightfully fear downloading files from unfamiliar websites. While I assure you that every file on my website is free from malignant coding, you can preview all of these worksheets directly in your web browser using the preview link before you download them.
Common Core State Standards Related to Personification
Anchor Standards
Expand to View All Common Core State Standards Related to PersonificationCCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4 – Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
ELA Standards: Literature
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
ELA Standards: Language
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5a – Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5a – Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
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Common Core Lesson and Unit Plans
Understanding Common Core State Standards
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snowflake
/ November 28, 2016I teach developmental reading at a college. Your worksheets have been a blessing. Thank you!
Lakshmi
/ September 29, 2016These are amazing .I am really happy that now I am able to differentiate simile metaphor and personification.Thank you so much ……
Liv Roonie
/ April 18, 2016It has helped my teacher and myself I’m in Std 5 and I’m always in the top #3. But , for some reason I needed to learn this subject a little more.
jagruti
/ January 7, 2016Good worksheets.They really help.
Valerie
/ December 1, 2015I love the worksheets and the variety provided. I really like the fact I can select specific sheets based on the students levels. This was my first time visiting, but will not be my last. Thanks!!
Mr. Morton
/ December 2, 2015I’m so happy to hear it. I am committed to continuing to develop and improve the site.
Justine
/ July 18, 2015Wow – what a site! I’m an Aussie teacher and this stuff is terrific. Thank you for these great worksheets! Summer Sun by Robert Louis Stevenson is another great poem which I use to help students identify personification.
Cheers
Justine
Tamia
/ April 28, 2015these worksheets are the best
Merlin
/ January 29, 2015I teach English as a second language to middle schoolers in Indonesia. Your worksheets have been very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
Mr. Morton
/ March 2, 2015I’m so happy to hear it.
Elaine
/ May 8, 2014I’m so grateful to you for sharing these fantastic resources
Angelique
/ May 6, 2014The worksheets are VERY useful!Thank you so much!
AnnaMaria
/ May 1, 2014Your worksheets are amazing, they are really helpful, can you to upload answers for personification…pleeease, thanks for sharing!!!
Jennifer Campbell
/ March 22, 2014Thanks for these worksheets. They are just what my Y4/5 students need. It has cut down on my lesson prep time too.
Keep them coming!!
Jennifer Campbell, Sydney, Australia
Mr. Morton
/ April 21, 2014I’m doing some big additions this summer.
You are going to love it.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Mrs. Allen
/ February 5, 2014These are great! I liked the ones you had on irony as well. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Mr. Morton
/ February 7, 2014Awesome. Check out the new online versions:
Irony Practice 1
Irony Practice 2
happy
/ December 22, 2016i dont understand i want worksheets for grade 6
Chloe
/ January 6, 2014These worksheets were exactly what I needed to reinforce our lessons.
Thanks,
Chloe
Andrea F
/ December 9, 2013Thank you so much! I’m tutoring a student and we’re doing figurative language this week. I decided to start with personification as it can get quite fun. This is exactly what I was looking for.
CHRISTINA
/ December 4, 2013Concerned with the terminology in some of these examples-
Mr. Morton
/ March 30, 2017What concerns you?
sang
/ November 28, 2013Thank you for working so hard to create such solid interesting materials and then sharing them so selflessly. They are much appreciated.
Kiera
/ October 22, 2013I love these worksheets!! They are very helpful to my gifted students. Are there answers to these sheets?
tony
/ October 17, 2013very helpful…are the answers available?
Faith Purchase
/ September 19, 2013This is awesome!!
Simone
/ August 9, 2013I have been told that anthropomorphism is very similar to personification but the difference is that with anthropomorphism, the object or animal is actually doing something human. With personification, the object or animal just seems like it’s doing something human.
For example: “The fog waltzed through the hills.” This is personification.
“The fog grew legs, grabbed a partner, and waltzed through the hills to the tune of ‘Piano Man'” This is anthropomorphism.
Mr. Morton
/ August 9, 2013I am functioning under the definition that anthropomorphism is when an animal is given human traits or characteristics; however, the longer I run this site the more that I realize that arguing about literature terminology is like arguing about pizza toppings.
Leanna
/ April 28, 2013These worksheets were just what I was looking for and is there any way for me to view the answers?
Mr. Morton
/ May 1, 2013I will try to add answers soon.
Scott Neff
/ April 16, 2013Are the answer keys available for any of these worksheets?
Denise
/ April 16, 2013Thanks so much. They were just what I needed.
carol
/ March 9, 2013great worksheets on personification, thank you so much, I will use these in class on Monday!
Anjali
/ January 2, 2013Thanks got just what I was looking for!
Denikka
/ September 13, 2012These are wonderful, exactly what I needed.
faizaumar
/ May 28, 2012thanks 4 ur worksheets it helps me alot
Marie
/ March 29, 2012Are the answer keys available for the personification worksheets?
Marie
/ March 22, 2012Excellent worksheets!
Maricel Cua
/ February 21, 2012just what i need. hope you put the answers too. thank you.
Kimberly
/ November 9, 2011I find some of the sentences used in your personification worksheets offensive…we need to be careful what we chose as professional educators to write as examples.
Mr. Morton
/ November 14, 2011I agree. We should also preview all materials prior to using them in our classrooms. That way we can make sure that such materials meet our standards, professional or otherwise.
Ann
/ March 25, 2017Great answer!
Suzanne Williams
/ October 19, 2011LOVED THE WORKSHEETS! Very creative and fun too!
Evadne
/ October 8, 2011The worksheets were just what I needed for my students. Thanks a million!
Mr. Morton
/ October 10, 2011Happy to help. Thanks for visiting!
Onykahonie
/ May 11, 2011Just what I was looking for; Thanks!
Roxanne
/ April 20, 2011These worksheets are perfect! Thanks!
Martha Parnell
/ March 18, 2011I found your worksheets on figurative Language very helpful.