What literary device involves giving human traits to non-human things?

Personification is the literary device that attributes human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas. This technique allows writers to create relatable imagery and evoke empathy from the reader. For example, if a writer describes the wind as "whispering through the trees," they are personifying the wind by giving it the human ability to whisper, which enhances the reader's connection to the scene.

Anthropomorphism, while similar, specifically refers to giving human characteristics to animals, helping to convey a personality that allows them to interact in a human-like way. Symbolism involves using symbols to represent ideas or qualities, where an object or character stands for something beyond its literal meaning. Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things to highlight similarities, without using "like" or "as." Each of these devices serves its own purpose in writing, but when the focus is on giving human-like qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts, personification is the correct term.