Module 5 Poetry Analysis Overview

Now that we have explored the elements of poetry, types of poetry, and figurative devices, it is time to analyze some poetry. Our main strategy for analyzing poetry will be TPCASTT. TPCASTT is an acronym standing for title, paraphrase, connotation, attitude, shift, title (again), and theme.

Essential Questions

1. How does figurative language add to the meaning of poetry?

2. What is TPCASTT?

3. How do I use TPCASTT to analyze poetry?

4. How do I determine the theme of a poem?

Key Terms

Alliteration: The repetition of words that have the same first consonant sounds either next to each other or close together.

Figurative Language: Using figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive and impactful. Figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, allusions go beyond the literal meanings of the words to give the readers visual images.

Theme: The central, or deeper meaning of a written work.

Symbolism:  Something that stands for or suggests something else; it represents something beyond literal meaning. 

Analyze:  To reveal meaning through detailed examination.

Ambiguous: A word or phrase with an unclear meaning.

Repetition:  A literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer.

Assonance:  The repetitionLinks to an external site. of similar vowel sounds takes place in two or more words in proximity to each other within a line of poetry. 

Consonance: The repetitionLinks to an external site. of the same consonant sounds in a line of text. 

Anaphora: The repetitionLinks to an external site. of a word or phraseLinks to an external site. at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses.

Juxtaposition:  Placing two ideas or concepts side by side to create dramatic or ironic contrast. 

Idiom: A non-literal phrase used to describe a distinct event. Generally accepted by society.

If you noticed that Poetry analysis terms have a lot in common with Literary Devices, you are right!

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