Title: Examine the title of the poem BEFORE reading the poem. What do the words suggest to you? What denotations are presented in the title? What connotations or associations do the words possess?
Paraphrase: Translate the poem into your own words. DON NOT interpret anything at this point. You must look for the literal before theinterpretive. What is the poem literally about?
Connotation: Now examine the poem for meaning behind the literal. Things to examine include: form, diction, imagery, p.o.v., allusions, symbolism, figurative language, sound devices, etc.
Attitude: What is the speaker's attitude? How does the speaker feel about himself, others, and the subject? What is the author's attitude? How does the author feel about the speaker, other characters, the subject, and the reader? Remember: do not confuse the author with the speaker.
Shift: Where do the shifts in tone, setting, voice, etc. occur? Look for time and place, keywords, punctuations, stanza divisions, etc. What is the purpose of each shift? How does each contribute to the effect and meaning?
Title: Examine the title again...on an interpretive level. What part does the title play in the overall interpretation of the poem?
Theme: What is the poet's message about the poem's subject(s)? Remember: the theme must always be expressed in a complete sentence.
T.P. C.A.S.T.T.
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