What literary technique involves giving human attributes to non-human subjects?

The technique of giving human attributes to non-human subjects is known as personification. This literary device allows writers to create a deeper emotional connection with the audience by imbuing inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts with human-like qualities, behaviors, or emotions. For instance, when a writer describes the wind as "whispering through the trees" or "angry clouds," they are engaging personification to evoke feelings and imagery that resonate with human experiences. This technique enhances the reader's understanding and engagement with the text by making the non-human elements feel more relatable and alive.

Other techniques listed, such as imagery, metaphor, and simile, serve different purposes. Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures. Metaphor involves a direct comparison between two unrelated subjects without using "like" or "as," while simile does use "like" or "as" to make comparisons. These literary devices may contribute to the richness of a text, but they do not specifically involve attributing human traits to non-human entities, which is the essence of personification.