TPCASTT Analysis Strategy

TPCASTT Analysis Strategy

This is another strategy commonly used when analyzing poetry, but could be adjusted for fiction and nonfiction. It is a systematic, step-by-step system for students. Introduce the strategy and have them pair up to work through each step on a poem or short nonfiction piece.

For additional help, the following PREZI was created to introduce and guide students through a poetry analysis exercise:

TPCASTT: An Introductory PREZI

T - TITLE: Make a prediction about the poem based on the title.

[STOP - Now Read the Poem or Article]

P - PARAPHRASE: Summarize the poem in your own words.

[STOP - Share your summary with a peer or the whole class]

C - CONNOTATION: Look for three examples of figurative language or literary devices.

A - ATTITUDE: Describe the author's TONE.

S - SHIFTS: In poetry, the author's TONE will usually shift over the course of the poem. 

When does it shift? How do you know?

T - TITLE (AGAIN): Look at the title again and reevaluate how it connects to the content of the poem.

T - THEME: What is the THEME of the poem? How do you know? How does it relate to life?

[STOP - Share your summary with a peer or the whole class]