“Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins

Title Before you even read the poem, what do you think the poem will be about by only reading the title? (Guesses are okay here… that’s what you are supposed to do)

Before we begin using the TP-CASTT method… What is a “color slide”? Does anyone know?

Paraphrase Take a few minutes and put the lines of this poem into your own words. (It’s okay to be “wrong”; just try your best by writing down what you “think” he meant to write in your own words.

Connotation Remember what “connotation” means from the notes you took last week. What is the “deeper” meaning? Take your paraphrased version and make “guesses”. What was the author “really” trying to say?

Attitude (TONE -- Author’s Feelings) Now that you have analyzed this poem, what do you think Collins’ tone is towards students beginning to learn how to “read” poetry? Why?

Shifts (Change in Tone) Look for words or phrases that signify “changes” in the tone of the poem: but, however, although, besides, or, on the other hand, in contrast, while, still, etc. – you get the drift)

Title (Yes, Again…) Now that you have read and analyzed the poem, take a minute to look back at the title. Is your initial belief about the meaning of it the same? Is it different? Why? What made you change your mind (if it’s different)

Theme What do you think the author’s message was to his readers? What was his purpose in writing this poem? How did you come to this conclusion?