1. TPFASTT T itle P araphrase F igurative Language A ttitude S hifts T itle T heme

2. Title The meaning of the title without reference to the poem Ponder the title before reading the poem

3. Paraphrase Put the poem, line by line, in your own words. DO NOT READ INTO THE POEM Only read on surface level

4. Figurative Language Looking for deeper meaning: Diction and symbolism Imagery Metaphors and similes Rhyme scheme End rhyme and internal rhyme End stop Punctuation Enjambment Alliteration Assonance Consonance Mood Allusions Personification

5. Attitude Looking for the poet’s tone How is the writer speaking? Observe both the speaker’s and poet’s attitude

6. Shift Looking for shifts in tone, action and rhythm. Don’t just write the number. Discuss how the shift(s) affect the poem. Discuss shifts in attitude and speakers

7. Shift Look for the following to indicate shift changes Keywords (but, yet, however, although) Punctuation (dashes, periods, colons, ellipsis) Stanza division Changes in line or stanza length or both Irony (sometimes irony hides shifts) Effect of structure on meaning Changes in sound (rhyme) may indicate changes in meaning Changes in diction (slang to formal language)

8. Title Reevaluate the title as it pertains to the poem Examine it on an interpretive level after reading the poem

9. Theme What does the poem mean? What is it saying? How does it relate to life? Determine what the poet is saying Follow the steps of identifying theme