Poetry: TPCASTT

01 Title

Step One-Title

The first step of TPCASTT is finding out the meaning of the title of a poem without referring to the text.

• What does the title mean?
• Why does the poet use such a title?
• What can be inferred from the title of the poem?

02 Paraphrase

Step 2: How to paraphrase poetry

The second step of TPCASST is to rephrase the text in your own words.

• Put the text in your own words to better understand it.
• Look up words you don't know and insert synonyms.
• Paraphrase in complete thoughts
• Pay attention to the punctuation
• Read in complete sentences
• Think about how you would explain the poem to a friend

03 Connotation

Step 3: Connotation

Elements to review

- Diction (word choice)- Poetic Devices & Figurative language(including metaphors, similes, alliteration, assonance, consonance, symbolism, ect.) -Rhyme Scheme -Meter -Punctuation

Connotation stands for an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning.

04 Attitude

Step 4: Attitude

Examples: Subjective example: America is the greatest country on earth! Objective: America is directly south of Canada.

There are two kinds of attitude: 1. Subjective(personal) 2. Objective (non influenced by personal feelings).

05 Shifts

Step 5: Shifts

Find the shifts or transitions in the text. The shift means a sudden change in the attitude (mood and tone), including a variation in rhythym and meter. It can be indicated by a change in emotion or thought.

06 Title(again)

Step 6: Title

Look at the title again. Compare your initial thoughts and primary reactions with your new understanding of the techniques and nuances of the poem.

06 Theme

Step 7: Theme

Determine the theme of the poem.