Writing Poetry.jpg

What does TPCASTT stand for?

Poems can be very difficult to interpret because a lot of what they have to say is not written but is implied. A major problem that students have with interpreting poetry is that they read the poem once, pick out a detail or two and then jump to a conclusion, often the wrong conclusion. To avoid this pitfall, it is important to gather significant data and try out different hypotheses before drawing a conclusive interpretation. These steps, sort of like the scientific method, comprise a safe way to avoid serious misinterpretations.

Title

Ponder the title before reading the poem. Make up questions about the title. There are two kinds of titles: interactive titles and naming titles. Interactive titles are have some sort of interplay with poem itself and can affect its meaning. Naming titles may give less crucial information. If a poem lacks a title, you should do this step with the first line of the poem.

Paraphrase

Translate the poem into your own words. Word for word! Line for line! Find synonyms for every possible word. Summarizing is NOT paraphrasing!

Connotation

Contemplate the poem for meaning beyond the literal. Identify and figure out the figurative language.

Do DIDLS.

Attitude

After identifying a subject/topic of the poem, figure out how the speaker (and/or the poet) feels about it. This is also called tone.

Shifts

Note transitions in the poem. Shifts in speaker, subject, time, attitude, diction, mood, or motif.

Title

Examine the title again, this time on an interpretive level. Answer your questions. Figure out how the title illuminates the poem. Remember a “naming title” may not mean much. Remember you should do this with the first line of a poem if it lacks a title.

Theme

After identifying a subject/topic of the poem, determine what the poet thinks about the subject. What is his/her opinion? What is her/his message? What life lesson is being taught or reinforced. REMEMBER**Theme is NOT one word. Theme MUST be at least one complete sentence!