Sound It Out

Personification

Episode Summary

Today we’re exploring the word “personification.” What do you think it means?

Episode Notes

Today we’re exploring the word “personification.” What do you think it means?

Okay, wordsmiths! Now it’s your turn! Share your writing with us or record a voicemail and send it to listen@akidspodcastabout.com. And let us know what other words are on your mind!

Check out other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com.

Episode Transcription

SIO, Ep 24

“Personification”

[INTRO]

Matthew: Hello, dear curious, inquisitive ones! My name is Matthew. Welcome to Sound It Out. This podcast is all about words: why we use them, what they mean, and why they’re so darn important.

[TODAY’S WORD]

Today’s word is “personification.”

This is the kind of word that can be intimidating just by looking at it. Look at how it’s spelled in the episode title on the device you’re using to listen to this show. I’ll spell it: P-E-R-S-O-N-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N.

So… the word “person” is in there. But when you say the word, you sound it out differently with emphasis on the “son”.

Let me say it again, and then we’ll break down it’s meaning. 

Personification. 

Personification.

Personification.

[EXAMPLES]

Personification is a literary device. That means it’s used by writers to make their writing more interesting, appealing, or thought-provoking to the reader.

Let me share a few examples of personification with you. You might be able to figure out what it means before I even say it!

Example One:

The wind whistled in Aria’s ears as her bike raced down the hill.

Example Two:

The tree stretched its branches up towards the sun.

Example Three:

When Leo hefted the bag kitty litter into the trunk of his mom’s car, the car seemed to groan at the added weight.

[MEANING & USAGE]

Did you figure it out? What is personification?

To recap the examples, the wind whistled, the tree stretched, and the car seemed to groan.

Personification is a figure of speech that gives human qualities to non-human things.

Why do writers use personification? I would say “because it just makes writing sound more interesting”, but what I really want to tell you is…

Why don’t you try adding personification into a story you’re writing or telling with your words? Then you can see for yourself if the literary device brings your words to life even more!

Ah! I just did it! Personification! “Bringing words to life”! Yes!

[CLOSING]

Okay, wordsmiths! Now it’s your turn! Share your writing with us or record a voicemail and send it to listen@akidspodcastabout.com. And let us know what other words are on your mind!

Check out other podcasts made for kids just like you by visiting akidsco.com. And come back tomorrow for a new word! 

See ya!