TPCASTT Poetry Analysis tion! ti e p re onom atop oeia!
TPCASTT is an ACRONYM for Title Paraphrase Connotation Attitude Shift Title Theme
It is a method used by our high schools to help us understand, appreciate, and communicate about poetry and the power of words. First, lets review some vocabulary: Literal = means exact or not exaggerated. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language. Example: Let the cat out of the bag.
Figurative = the opposite of literal language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface. Often used by poets and other writers. Example: Let the cat out of the bag. Review vocabulary, continued: Denotation = the dictionary definition of a word or phrase Connotation = a meaning suggested by a word or
phrase, in addition to its exact (denotative) meaning; can be the emotional feelings associated with the word Think of the denotative and connotative meanings of words such as home, mother, love, peace, friend, etc. Vocabulary Continued Personification = giving human qualities to an inanimate object
Example: The moon smiled down at me. Vocab. Cont Hyperbole = an exaggeration Example: This backpack weighs a ton!! Vocab. Cont. Simile = comparing
two things using the words like or as Example: She runs as fast as a cheetah. Vocab. Cont. Metaphor = comparing two things WITHOUT using like or as Example: You are my
sunshine. Vocab. Cont. Alliteration = repetition of consonant sounds in a poem Write the following title and author on
your TP-CASTT handout Dreams by Langston Hughes Title: What predictions can you make about the poem from the title? What are your initial (first) thoughts about the poem? What might be the theme of the
poem? Title: What predictions can you make about the poem from the title? The poem will be about dreams. It can be about dreams as goals
or about people having dreams when they sleep. **Now read the poem** Dreams By: Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words. You have to hold on to dreams
because if dreams die, they are like a bird with a broken wing. Hold on to dreams because if you let your dreams go, life is like a field with nothing in it that is frozen with snow. Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level? Find examples of
imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, idioms, hyperbole, alliteration, rhyme scheme, rhythm, etc. and think about their possible connotative meanings. Consider the emotional feelings that the words may give the reader. Personification: dreams die, dreams go
By making them have human-like qualities, the dreams seem important. Metaphor, Imagery: Life is a broken winged bird, life is a barren field Both of these are negative things. Losing a dream can have negative results in your life. Point of View: The poem is written in 2nd person. The speaker is
speaking directly to the reader. Repetition: Hold fast to dreams Alliteration: Dreams die This sound device gives the poem a melancholy (sad) sound and mood. Attitude: Describe the tone of the The speaker sounds wise, so he poem. What is the poets attitude or she knows what they are toward the subject of the poem? talking about. The speakers tone
The speakers attitude? Find and is cautionary and somewhat list examples that illustrate the melancholy. The poets attitude tone and mood of the poem seems to be one of sadness. He (these show attitude). or she seems to have known what its like to have lost a dream. dreams die (line 2) broken-winged bird (line 3) barren field (line 7)
Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem? Where does the shift happen in the poem? What does it shift from and to? This poem has only two sentences. There arent any shifts, but the poem does end quickly with a strong image, a
strong negative image. frozen with snow (line 8) Title: Look at the title again. The poem is about dreams and Have your original ideas about continuing to dream. The the poem changed? How? What dreams are goals in life that people want to reach. do you think the title means now?
Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem? What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem? This poems shows us the importance of dreams. The
theme or message in this poem shows us that a life without dreams will be an empty life. Doing a TP-CASTT poem analysis will help you turn your observations into meaningful discussions or writing. You have noticed the details - now can you put them together so you can understand and talk about the poem much better.
Time to Practice a TPCASTT on your own!!
