1. Poetry Analysis
AP Literature

2. Free Response Question #1
Offers “a complex and deep meditation on the human condition” (NMSI)
Single poem for analysis or a compare/contrast
In the prompt, what follows “such as” is a recommendation.

3. AP Literature Poetry Analysis: TPCASTT
TITLE: Make a prediction … if this prediction proves to be incorrect, this could be significant.
PARAPHRASE: Denotation - the literal meaning, at face value.
CONNOTATION: Look deeper. Infer meaning. Fig. language? Imagery? Diction? Syntax? Details? Sound elements? Elements?
ATTITUDE (TONE): Who is the speaker? What is the POV? What is his/her/its attitude toward the subject?
SHIFTS: Changes in tone/subject/images, etc. Where does it occur? Infer why it occurs.
TITLE (AGAIN): Return to the title again.
THEME: What is the real subject of the poem and what argument does the poem make?
DEVICES: What poetic elements are prominate?

4. Introduction
Introduce the theme through an assertion (about the human condition).
Connect this assertion to the poem: In “…” by … the author (does what?)
Paraphrase poem in one sentence.
Thesis: (author) uses (concrete) in order to (the big, universal idea about the human condition).

5. Body Assertion Intro evidence  evidence  commentary Conclusion
Bisect the poem in a logical manner by identifying an important shift.
The first body paragraph covers two important poetic elements in the first half.
The second covers the second half.
Assertion
Intro evidence  evidence  commentary
Conclusion
Assertion
Intro evidence  evidence  commentary
Conclusion

6. Conclusion Restate thesis Restate assertions
Final assertion about the human condition