Poetry Analysis November 18

Do Now – 5 Min Direction: read each passage and identify the text structure. Write down two examples that explain why you believe this is so. Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors. Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate. Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not. Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake. a. cause and effect b. compare and contrast c. chronological d. spatial / descriptive e. sequence / process

Again… The ice-cream shop around the corner from my house has the best ice-cream in the city. When you first walk inside, there is a long chrome counter with matching stools extending to alongside the far wall. Right where the counter stops, the booth seating begins. There are lots of old-timey knickknacks on the walls and chrome napkin holders on all the tables. My favorite part of the shop is behind the counter glass, where they keep all of the ice-cream flavors. A rainbow of delicious sugary flavors is kept cool and delicious behind the counter glass. a. problem and solution b. compare and contrast c. Chronological d. spatial / descriptive e. Sequence process

Our Focus We Will: Define Poetry Terms Learn the TPS-FASTT method to analyze and evaluate poetry You Will: Utilize the TPS-FASTT method on one poetry selection as your exit slip

Poetry Analysis TP-FASTT

Getting Started… This is a process to help you organize your analysis of poetry. We have already learned the vocabulary, now it’s time to put it into practice! Together, we are going to analyze “American Hero” using TP-FASTT. Now, please copy the next chart in your notebook…

TPS-FASTT T P S F A S T T

“American Hero” to this sheet! Add your analysis of “American Hero” to this sheet!

The Poem Title: American Hero

T is for TITLE Analyze the title first. (“American Hero”) What do you predict this poem will be about? Write down your predictions. We will reflect on the title again after we have read the poem. The next step is often omitted, but it is the most important!!!!

NOW READ THE POEM

American Hero By Essex Hemphill I have nothing to lose tonight. All my men surround me, panting, as I spin the ball above our heads on my middle finger. 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. 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 and they love me for it. Everyone hollering is a friend tonight. But there are towns, certain neighborhoods where I’d be hard pressed to hear them cheer if I move on the block.    

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.

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. alliteration RHYME personification diction onomatopoeia meter simile ONOMATOPEIA HYPERBOLE metaphor consonance

Onomatopoeia is a critical element in this poem. What words are used to help the reader hear the sounds of the basketball game? Words like panting, hollering, slap, and slam help the reader feel like he or she is at the big game. Since this poem is free verse, meaning there is no rhyme scheme, the alliteration adds to the rhythm.

A is for ATTITUDE Tone is the attitude of the speaker toward the subject of the poem.

Don’t Confuse Tone & Mood! * Tone and mood are two different aspects of a poem! * Tone is the author's or the poet's attitude towards his or her subject. * Therefore, the tone in this poem would be how Hemphill feels about the game of basketball and the fans. * The tone seems to be bitter and resentful since the fans are so shallow.

S is for SHIFT If there is a change in… Time Tone Mood Speaker This should always be noted as this will also affect the meaning.

Shift in Mood Mood is how the poem makes the reader or the listener feel. For example, at the beginning of the poem, the mood is excited and elevated as the speaker plays ball and scores points. But, the mood becomes more somber and serious towards the end of the poem as the reader discovers the superficiality of the fans’ cheering.

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….

T is for THEME As you already know, 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.

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 life?

THEME of “American Hero” Sometimes people are appreciated for their talents and not as a person. The crowd likes the player while he is scoring points on the court, but they would not want to be his friend off the court. Some people can’t see past the color of someone’s skin. Discrimination is a big part of the world we live in. http://www.slideshare.net/hharvey102/poetry-anaysis-tpcastt/download

La Belle Dame Sans Merci Use Online Textbook Textbook: 651-652 Homework La Belle Dame Sans Merci Use Online Textbook Textbook: 651-652

Homework Rough Drafts Due Friday TPS-FASTT FOR La BELLE DAME