1. TP-FASTT Poetry Analysis
a.k.a. a way to figure out what the heck a poem might mean

2. Getting Started…
This is a process to help you organize your analysis of poetry.
We have already learned the vocabulary that applies to poems--now it’s time to put it into practice!

3. TP-FASTT
TP-FASTT is an acronym that helps us analyze poems through seven simple steps (each letter represents one step of analysis)
By looking at each smaller part individually and then at the poem altogether, it can help us make some sense of what the poem might be about!
Let’s try it together…

4. TP-FASTT ‘American Hero’

5. T is for TITLE Analyze the title first.
PREDICT what this poem will be about?
Write down your predictions.
We will reflect on the title again after we have read the poem; this simple step helps us think about what the poet may be implying in their titles.

6. READ THE POEM!!!!

7. American Hero I have nothing to lose tonight.
All my men surround me, panting,
as I spin the ball above our heads
on my middle finger. 5
It’s a shimmering club light
and I’m dancing, slick in my sweat.
Squinting, I aim at the hole
fifty feet away. I let the tension go.
Shoot for the net. Choke it. 10
I never hear the ball
slap the backboard. I slam it
through the net. The crowd goes wild
for our win. I scored
thirty-two points this game 15
and they love me for it.
Everyone hollering
is a friend tonight.
But there are towns,
certain neighborhoods 20
where I’d be hard pressed
to hear them cheer
if I move on the block.

8. P is for PARAPHRASE
Paraphrasing is putting something in your own words.
After reading the poem, rewrite it in your own words.
This may be three sentences or a page, depending on the particular poem.

9. F is for Figurative Language
apostrophe
ASSONANCE
Analyze the figures of speech and sound effects of the poem.
These are the poetry vocabulary we have already studied.
These elements add to the meaning, so we need to make sure we understand what each one means!
alliteration
RHYME
diction
personification
onomatopoeia
simile
implied metaphor
meter
HYPERBOLE
direct metaphor

10. A is for ATTITUDE
Tone is the attitude of the speaker toward the subject of the poem. WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE AUTHOR’s ATTITUDE (TONE) TO BE!

11. Attitude/Tone Words Upset Urgent Complimentary Contemptuous Silly
Joking
Condescending
Happy
Boring
Poignant
Sympathetic
Confused
Apologetic
Hollow
Childish
Humorous
Angry
Sad
Afraid
Cold
Detached
Benevolent
Dreamy
Shocking
Candid
Proud
Giddy
Pitiful
Dramatic
Provocative
Sentimental
Joyful
Peaceful
Horrific
Mocking
Sarcastic
Sweet
Objective
Nostalgic
Vexed
Vibrant
Zealous
Tired
Frivolous
Irrelevant
Bitter

12. S is for SHIFT If there is a change in… Time Tone Speaker
For example, does it start happy and end sad? Does time pass during the poem?
There may or may not be shifts..

13. T is for TITLE (again) At this time, you should reconsider the title.
Were you right in your predictions?
What other meanings might the title have in light of your analysis?
Next, the biggie….

14. T is for THEME
Theme is the general insight into life conveyed by the author through his/her work.
It does not make a judgment.
example: “Don’t do drugs” is not a theme.
It merely states something that is true to life and the human condition.

15. How do I find the THEME? Look at the other parts of TPCASTT.
What insight are all of these working together to convey?
What is the poet trying to say about their subject?