In order to dissect a poem (analyze it), it is necessary to take it in steps. I have here a tool for analyzing a poem. It is called TPS-FASTT (I pronounce it "Tips Fast"). If you follow each step, by the end of the process you will have everything you need to put together an analysis of a poem.
T - Title First , you make predictions regarding the poems content, intent, deeper meaning. Don't worry about being wrong. Just make some predictions. (Note: If there is no title, as in several of the sonnets we read, use the first line of the poem.)
P - Paraphrase Next, you go through the poem and paraphrase (or rewrite in your own words) each line or stanza. Note: You are not interpreting or reading into the poem. Just rewrite the literal meaning of the line.
S - Speaker Who is the speaker of the poem? What can you tell about them?
F - Figurative Langugage Look for examples of figurative language (similes, metaphors, hyperbole, personification, symbolism) or other poetic devices.
A - Attitude What is the attitude of the speaker at the beginning of the poem?
S - Shift Does the attitude shift at any point? Where? How do you know?
T - Title Revisit the title. Now, what do you think it means?
T - Theme What is the theme of the poem?
If you have followed all these steps, you have everything you need to write an analysis of the poem. Watch for future blogs on how to organize that essay.
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