TPCASTT Criteria

Poetry TPCASTT

Title

§ This step asks that you look at the title and take an educated guess at what the poem might be about. The key is to do this before you read any of the poem.

§ There is no right or wrong response to the title, but you must demonstrate a genuine effort in your educated guess.

Paraphrase

§ Read the poem.

§ Paraphrase the poem. Focus on the literal interpretation of the poem. Don’t try to analyze the poem at this point. Stick to what appears in black and white.

Connotations

§ Focus on key words and explain whether certain words have connotations.

§ Look for words that have positive or negative connotations.

§ Focus on words that give you an image in your mind.

Attitude

§ What is the tone that the speaker takes in the poem?

§ Look for loaded words and repetition of images or symbols.

§ What emotions do you notice when you read the poem? Is it sarcastic? Is it celebratory? Is it angry?

Shift(s)

§ Identify shifts in the poem. Do you notice a mood change? Do you notice a change in the subject?

§ Identify what line(s) where the shift takes place.

§ Explain what the shift is (mood, subject, etc.).

Title (again)

§ Now that you have read the poem, take a look at the title again.

§ Write down your interpretation of the poem now that you have read it and analyzed it.

Theme

§ What is the main idea of the poem? What is the author trying to say that goes beyond the literal meaning of the poem?