Explicating Poems ex·pli·cate - transitive verb \ˈek-splə-ˌkāt\ — ex·pli·ca·tion \ˌek-splə-ˈkā-shən\ noun — ex·pli·ca·tor \ˈek-splə-ˌkā-tər\ noun Definition of EXPLICATE 1 : to give a detailed explanation ofexplanation 2 : to develop the implications of : analyze logically Examples of EXPLICATE an essay explicating a theory

“Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light like a color slide or press an ear against its hive. I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out, or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a light switch. I want them to waterski across the surface of a poem waving at the author's name on the shore. But all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it. They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means. from The Apple that Astonished Paris,1996 University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Ark.

Using SOAPSTONE Speaker – a poet or teacher Occasion – student or class being taught a poem Audience – students or someone trying to understand a poem Purpose – to explain how a poem should be read versus how some try to read it Subject – poetry explication Tone – frustrated or disappointed

Using TP-FASTT Title: Introduction to Poetry – introducing how to approach a poem AND introducing this poem Paraphrase: Explaining how a poem should be treated versus how some/many treat one Figurative Devices: “ask…say” shifts to “I want” “but they want” shows a disappointment and disagreement between advice and desires and actual actions, whereas “hold it to the light…press an ear…drop a mouse…watch him probe…walk…feel” shifts to “waterski…waving” shifts to “tie… to chair with rope and torture” and “beating it with a hose” shows a playfulness/inquisitive nature that should be taken but, instead hostile and abusive tactics are taken.

Using TP-FASTT cont’d Attitude: frustrated or disappointed or disgusted Shifts: (see figurative devices) Title: seems like “welcome to poetry” as if a teacher is going to try one more time, despite no one ever listening Theme: If you will treat a poem as if it is full of wonder you will discover it’s beauty/meaning; don’t treat it as a hostile criminal holding back information.