TP-CASTT AnalysisHow to Analyze Poetry

Title Ponder the title before reading the

poem.

Paraphrase Translate the poem into your own words.

Connotation Contemplate the poem for meaning

beyond the literal. Are there symbols? Imagery?

Personification? Other poetic devices? Why do you think the poet used these poetic devices?

Attitude Observe the speaker’s and the poet’s

attitude (tone). What is the speaker’s tone? What is the

poet’s tone? Do the speaker and the poet’s tone

have to be the same?

Shifts Note shifts in speakers and in attitudes Point out changes in who is speaking or

in the tone. Does the attitude/tone switch gears?

Title Think about the title again. Has the meaning of the title changed

after studying the poem?

Theme What is the poet trying to say? What

idea is being communicated (not a summary of what happened in the poem)?

Use TP-CASTT! TP-CASTT can be used to help you

determine what you think a poet is trying to say in their poetry.

Rely on what you find in the poem, what the words say and how the poetic devices increase the meaning.