Poetry is one of the most expressive forms of literature. It can evoke emotions, set a mood, tell a story, or create a feeling that can be deeply and universally understood by its readers. This makes it even more important to be able to expound its elements and understand its rich meaning, comparisons, and symbols. Teaching students to look at a poem with an order of operation in mind will greatly help them to understand and see beyond the literal words. Using the TPCASTT method is the perfect way to get students reading and analyzing with little assistance from the instructor.
TPCASTT is a great way to teach students to dissect a poem and understand its part and deeper meaning. TPCASTT is an order of operations similar to PEMDAS for Math. It asks students to list items in sequentially and answer questions based on their reading of the poem.
| T | TITLE | “The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica” is, perhaps, about a place that the speaker visits frequently. |
|---|---|---|
| P | PARAPHRASE |
The poem describes a store where Latinos gather. Despite their differences, many Latinos in the United States find themselves connected by their experiences and life in America. The speaker of the poem mentions the specific foods and customs of various Latino groups that visit the deli, what makes them unique, and what ties them together. As the customers express memories of their home countries and their American Dreams, a sense of unity is conveyed for all people of Latino heritage. |
| C | CONNOTATION |
The poem expresses both uniqueness and individuality among Hispanic backgrounds. It also conveys a complex feeling of homesickness and nostalgia, and how these feelings are mediated through the food the deli sells. |
| A | ATTITUDE/TONE |
Ortiz Cofer achieves her tone with words that suggest a strong tie to the past, such as ancient, exiles, lost lovers, stale, old man, and “places that now exist only in their hearts”. Her word choice presents an attitude of longing for something that once was. The tone is nostalgic for the past and for the cultures of the people in the poem. |
| S | SHIFTS |
No shift occurs. |
| T | TITLE |
After reading the poem my interpretation of the title was correct. The speaker romanticizes a Latino deli where members from various Hispanic backgrounds gather. |
| T | THEME |
The theme of the poem is one of unity; despite coming from various background, their common language and their experience as immigrants create a bond for among these Latinos in the United States. |
This is a great activity to have students do in a small group! Once they are finished, ask them to create a storyboard with the TPCASTT steps.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Perform a TPCASTT analysis of "The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica". Remember that TPCASTT stands for Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shift, Title, Theme.
Foster interactive learning by organizing small group discussions where students share their interpretations of each TPCASTT step. This encourages active participation and helps students see multiple perspectives, deepening their understanding of the poem.
Designate each student in a group to focus on one TPCASTT component, such as Title, Paraphrase, or Theme. This allows students to become ‘experts’ on one part and then teach it to their peers, building confidence and collaboration.
Encourage students to relate the poem’s themes or imagery to their own experiences or backgrounds. This personalizes the analysis and makes poetry more relevant to every learner.
Invite students to create posters, digital slides, or graphic organizers that visually represent each TPCASTT step for the poem. Visual mapping helps clarify abstract ideas and supports different learning styles.
Have groups summarize what they learned about the poem and the TPCASTT process in a brief presentation or written reflection. This reinforces comprehension and celebrates students’ analytic growth.
TPCASTT is a structured approach for analyzing poetry, where each letter stands for Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shift, Title (again), and Theme. This method helps students break down a poem’s elements step by step to better understand its meaning and themes.
To analyze "The Latin Deli: An Ars Poetica" with TPCASTT, examine the poem’s title, summarize its content, explore connotations and tone, note any shifts, revisit the title’s meaning after reading, and identify the central theme—such as unity among diverse Latino backgrounds.
The main theme is unity and connection among Latinos in the United States, showing how shared language and immigrant experiences create bonds despite cultural differences and feelings of nostalgia.
TPCASTT guides students through a logical sequence, making poetry analysis less intimidating and more accessible. It helps learners break down complex poems, encouraging independent critical thinking and deeper understanding.
Start with a group activity, model each step using a familiar poem, encourage discussion on tone and theme, and use visuals or storyboards to represent each TPCASTT element. Reinforce by having students explain their reasoning for each step.