Personification means giving human characteristics to an object, an animal or an idea.

The pylons marched across the field, clad in their iron armour.

Pylons are not alive and cannot move, but by describing them in this way the writer suggests that they are like soldiers.

Verbs (doing words) are often used to personify things.

In the next example, the verb danced has been used to make the stars seem alive.

The stars danced across the sky.

Personification is often used in fiction and poetry.

In this activity, you can read examples of personification.