TP-CASTT is…
TP-CASTT is a process for you to gather the
many treasures to be found in a well written
poem through exploring the parts first and then
determining the important theme(s) last
While poetry is usually shorter than prose, it is
often more complex because of the extensive
use of literary devices and multiple layers of
meaning
Why do you need to use it?
Poetry is truth in its Sunday clothes. ― Joseph
Roux
While poetry is usually shorter than prose, it is
often more complex because of the extensive
use of literary devices and multiple layers of
meaning
Why is it worth the work to
understand poetry? For life.
It evokes feeling and life
Poetry is what in a poem makes you laugh, cry,
prickle, be silent, makes your toe nails twinkle,
makes you want to do this or that or nothing, makes
you know that you are alone in the unknown world,
that your bliss and suffering is forever shared and
forever all your own. ― Dylan Thomas
There is not a particle of life which does not bear
poetry within it. ― Gustave Flaubert
Why is it worth the work to
understand poetry?
It reflects us to ourselves
If I feel physically as if the top of my head were
taken off, I know that is poetry. ― Emily
Dickinson
Poetry is eternal graffiti written in the heart of
everyone. – Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Why is it worth the work
to understand poetry?
Here, let Robin Williams explain to you the value
of poetry
Title
What might this poem be about based upon the title?
Are there any “clues” hidden in the title? Such as:
Allusions
Symbols
Literary devices
Possible perspectives
Write down what you think the poem is about based
upon the title and explain why you believe this.
Paraphrase
What is happening in the poem?
Is there a literal situation or experience that can
be identified? What is it?
Without trying to interpret or make meaning from
it, summarize the content of the poem in your
own words.
Connotation
What poetic devices are used in the poem? Can you find:
Imagery
Figures of speech (simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism etc.)
Diction (word choice)
Point of view
Sounds devices (alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhythm, rhyme etc.)
Why does the author use these devices? What effect do they have on the reader?
How do these devices and effects contribute to the overall meaning of the poem?
Choose the poetic devices you think are most important to developing the poem’s
overall meaning and describe how the effect contributes to the poem as a whole.
Attitude
When determining attitude, think “complexity.” Human feelings and
expressions are often complex in poetry (and otherwise, too) and
cannot be named in a single word.
What is the primary attitude present in the poem about the subject?
Are there shifts in attitude? Are there secondary emotions present?
What devices contribute to the development of these attitudes?
Diction
Imagery
Other details
Describe the attitudes present in the poem and give evidence to
support how these attitudes are developed throughout the piece.
Shift
Where are there shifts in attitude or understanding within the poem?
Are those shifts indicated by:
• Key words, (but, yet, however, although) Punctuation (dashes,
periods, colons, ellipsis)
• Stanza divisions
•
Changes in line or stanza length or both
• Changes in sound that may indicate changes in meaning
Changes in diction
Describe the shifts you find in the poem and the effect it/they
has/have on the reader.
Title Revisited
Look at the title again:
What new insights do you have about the title?
What do you think the title means now?
Interpret the title and how it contributes to the to
the overall meaning of the poem.
Theme
What subject or subjects does the poem address?
What is the author’s perspective on this/these
subject(s)?
What did you learn about those subjects? What idea
does the poet want you to take away concerning
these subjects?
In a complete sentence, describe the theme of the
poem and provide textual evidence to support this
conclusion.
Works Cited
“50 Powerful Quotes About Poetry.” Word Dance.
Word Dance Publishing. 9 Jul. 2014. Web. 23
Apr. 2015.