Poetry Analysis: TP CASTT Method
The TP CASTT method:
TITLE: consider denotative meanings of the title before reading the poem
PARAPHRASE: translate (on a literal level - don't interpret things) the poem into your own words (best done stanza by stanza) - don't focus on each word but rather the overall idea of each stanza
CONNOTATION: consider meanings beyond the literal
ATTITUDE: observe both the speaker's and the poet's attitudes
SHIFTS: note any changes in the speaker or attitude due to: occasion, key words, punctuation, stanza divisions, line and stanza length changes
TITLE: examine the title again - now consider it on a more interpretive level
THEME: determine what the poet is saying (what message about life are they trying to convey?)