What does TPCASST stand for?
TPCASTT
This is an acronym which is explained below. The TPCASTT method
can be used as a format for writing a short analysis essay about a
poem. Rely on what you find in the poem, what the words say, and
how the poetic devices increase the meaning.
*Title--Think about the meaning of the title before reading the
poem.
*Paraphrase--Translate the poem into your own words.
*Connotation--Look for meaning in the poem beyond the paraphrase
by finding all poetic devices such as alliteration, onomatopoeia,
rhythm, rhyme, simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism,
diction, point of view, etc.
*Attitude--What is the speaker's tone? What is the poet's tone?
(They might not be the same.)
*Shifts--Point out the changes in who is speaking or in
tone.
*Title--Think about the title again. Has the meaning of the
title changed after studying the poem?
*Theme--What is the poet trying to say? What idea is being
communicated? (NOT what happened in the poem!) Tp Casst stands for:
Title paraphrase connotation attitude shift in tone Speaker
Theme