What's "personification"?


One way you can make your writing more interesting is to use "personification". It means to make something that isn't a person take on the qualities or personality of a person. It makes for fun stories. (You didn't think that the three little pigs really talked and built their own houses did you?)

Personification is also used sometimes to graphically describe something.
For example:

The wind howled. 
The volcano belched smoke and ash.

We know, of course, that howling and belching is something that humans do quite well. When you use these actions to describe the wind or a volcano, it paints a wonderful picture with words!

In this lesson we'll be learning a little about leaves, and then writing a story using personification.

What is a leaf? What does it do? Why are leaves important? Let's do a little research about leaves. Make sure to take notes; you'll need them! You will also need to know what the following words mean:

Photosynthesis
Chlorophyl
oxygen
carbon dioxide
stomata
chloroplasts
glucose

Visit these sites - TAKE NOTES!!

Newton's Apple: Photosynthesis
Science Made Simple - Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?
New Kersey News - Photosynthesis

Now for the fun part! We will be using personification to write about the a leaf from its first appearance in the spring to its last "breath" in the late fall. There are two ways you may accomplish this assignment. Choose one.
 
 

Personification Activity Choice One
Personification Activity Choice Two
You may write a normal report using the five paragraph format. However, you must use personification in your writing at least once every paragraph.("As winter gets closer and closer, the little leaf clings on for dear life.") You may write a story from the view point of the leaf. Have the leaf take on a personality and style of its own. Give the leaf human qualities. Your essay must also follow the five paragraph format. 

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