Which of the following best describes the effect of using personification in prose?

• A. It assigns human qualities to non-human things.
• B. It summarizes information.
• C. It is a figure of speech that exaggerates.
• D. It describes events in chronological order.

Answer: (A)

Personification is a figure of speech where non-human things are described as if they have human qualities, such as thoughts, feelings, or actions. This approach makes objects, animals, or nature feel alive, helping readers connect more deeply with the scene and feel the mood the author wants to convey. For example, saying the wind whispered through the trees or the sun smiled down on us gives life to elements of the world and enriches the imagery. This isn’t about summarizing information, exaggerating for emphasis, or describing events in order; those are different techniques—summarization, hyperbole, and conveying sequence, respectively.