Which term means giving human characteristics to non-human things?

Which term means giving human characteristics to non-human things?

• A. Alliteration
• B. Onomatopoeia
• C. Personification
• D. Imagery

Answer: (C)

This question tests personification, a literary device where human traits are given to non-human things. That means you describe animals, objects, or ideas as if they could think, feel, or act like a person. This helps readers connect or relate to something in a more vivid way. For example, saying “The wind whispered through the trees” gives the wind a human action of whispering to create a mood. Alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds, like “silly sally sells seashells.” Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate sounds, such as “buzz” or “clang.” Imagery is language that creates vivid sensory details. None of these involve giving human characteristics to non-human things, which is why they don’t fit this question.

This question tests personification, a literary device where human traits are given to non-human things. That means you describe animals, objects, or ideas as if they could think, feel, or act like a person. This helps readers connect or relate to something in a more vivid way. For example, saying “The wind whispered through the trees” gives the wind a human action of whispering to create a mood.

Alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds, like “silly sally sells seashells.” Onomatopoeia uses words that imitate sounds, such as “buzz” or “clang.” Imagery is language that creates vivid sensory details. None of these involve giving human characteristics to non-human things, which is why they don’t fit this question.