1. SIFTT: A POEM ANALYSIS STRATEGY

2. IN POETRY ANALYSIS, SIFTT STANDS FOR…  S = Symbols  I = Imagery  F = Figurative Language  T = Tone/Mood  T = Theme

3. IMAGERY  Words that appeal to the five senses. Sight Smell TasteTouchSound  When a poem shows you something instead of just telling you.

4. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE REVIEW  Metaphor: Comparison between two things Our vacation was heaven.  Simile: Comparison using like or as “She grew up slow, like American honey.” The tree is as strong as an Army tank. Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.  Personification: Un-human things take on human traits The walls listened to our conversation.

5. TONE  What is the author’s attitude toward the subject of the poem?  Imagine the way the author’s voice would sound as they read the poem’s words.  Tone must be inferred from the author’s word choice. Mood  What does the poem make you feel?  Tone is them (the author)  Mood is me  Mood/Tone Video Mood/Tone Video

6. THEME  What is the deeper meaning behind the words of the poem?  What is the poem trying to teach you? Examples: I learned that loyalty is an important part of friendship. I learned that families can take on many shapes and forms.

7. WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SUBJECT? TONE: WHAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE POEM? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SUBJECT? Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Reminder: Tone- The author’s attitude toward the subject. Theme- The lesson about life or deeper meaning behind the words.

8. TONE: WHAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE POEM? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SUBJECT? Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Reminder: Tone- The author’s attitude toward the subject. Theme- The lesson about life or deeper meaning behind the words.

9. MOOD: HOW DOES THE POEM MAKE YOU FEEL? Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.

10. MOOD Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.

11. IDEA. WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT THAT IDEA? THEME: CHOOSE A THEMATIC IDEA. WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT THAT IDEA? Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Reminder: Theme- The lesson about life or deeper meaning behind the words.

12. Love is like the wild rose-briar, Friendship like the holly-tree— The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms But which will bloom most constantly? The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring, Its summer blossoms scent the air; Yet wait till winter comes again And who will call the wild-briar fair? Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now And deck thee with the holly’s sheen, That when December blights thy brow He still may leave thy garland green. Emily Brontë

13. ROSE BRIAR HOLLY