Analysis of Poetry
Using TPFASTT to Analyze Poetry T – Title P – Paraphrase F – Figurative Language A – Attitude S – Shifts T – Title T - Theme
Title What do the words of the title suggest to you?
Paraphrase Translate the poem in your own words. What is the poem about?
Figurative Language What meaning does the poem have beyond the literal meaning? Consider: O Imagery O Point of View O Allusions O Symbolism O Figurative Language
Attitude What is the speaker’s attitude? What is the author’s tone?
Shifts Shift refers to a change or movement in a piece resulting from an epiphany, realization, or insight gained by the speaker, a character, or the reader. Where do the shifts in tone, setting, voice, etc. occur? Look for time and place, keywords, punctuation, stanza divisions, changes in length or rhyme, and sentence structure.
Title Reanalyze the title on an interpretive level. You have read the poem, now what are your thoughts on the title?
Theme What is the underlying message the author is trying to convey to the reader? What is the poem saying?