Example
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Poetry is one of the most expressive forms of literature. It can evoke emotions, set a mood, tell a story, or create a deeply and universally understood feeling in its readers. This makes expounding its elements, and understanding its rich meaning, comparisons, and symbols, even more important.
The TP-CASTT method of poetry analysis is a great way to teach students to dissect a poem and understand its parts. It helps students to uncover the deeper meanings within poems while giving them the confidence to be self-educators. TP-CASTT Poetry Analysis is an order of operations similar to PEMDAS for math. It asks students to list items in sequential order and answer questions based on their reading of the poem.
| T | TITLE | The title will be about a black bird and the bad luck it will bring. |
|---|---|---|
| P | PARAPHRASE |
A man loses someone he loved, named Lenore. He is devastated. One night, in December, while sitting in his room, he hears a knock. A raven visits him. It makes him angry when it tells him that he'll never see Lenore again. |
| C | CONNOTATION |
The man is severely depressed, and is caught in his grief. |
| A | ATTITUDE/TONE |
Poe uses words like 'chamber', 'ponder', 'weary', 'bleak', 'ghosts', and 'embers' to make the dead come alive. These words are depressing and melancholy. |
| S | SHIFTS |
A shift occurs when the speaker asks the raven if he will ever see Lenore again. This shows his anger with the bird, whom he kicks out. |
| T | TITLE |
After reading the poem, my title was partially correct. The poem was about a raven, but he represented sorrow and death. |
| T | THEME |
One interpretation of the theme: even though death is painful and sad, one must not dwell on it, or it will consume one. |
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 4 (Difficult / Complex)
Type of Assignment Individual or Partner
Type of Activity: TPCASTT Poetry Analysis
Common Core Standards(This will start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
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Perform a TPCASTT analysis of "The Raven". Remember that TPCASTT stands for Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shift, Title, Theme.
Template
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