How to Unpuzzle a Poem

TPCAT

• Title
• Paraphrase/summary
• Catch 'em all
• Attitude/tone
• Theme/message

Title

• Look to title for clues
• Based on title alone, what might the poem be about?

Paraphrase

• Read through poem line by line or stanza by stanza
• Rephrase each line or stanza in your own words: what's it about?
• Circle (and define) any unknown words

Catch 'em all

• Catch all poetic devices in the poem
• Identify them and explain what they mean or do
• Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, rhyme, alliteration

Attitude/Tone

• Who is the speaker in the poem?
• How does he/she/it feel about the things he's speaking about?
• Point to lines that prove it
• Angry, optimistic, depressed, passionate, loving, heartbroken, cheerful, nostalgic

Theme

• Consider all of the things you've learned about the poem so far:
• What is the overall message the poet is trying to communicate in this poem?
• In [poem], [poet] shows readers that [message]. She does this by [what specific elements from the poem connect to this theme?]