Activity Overview
Poetry is one of the most expressive forms of literature. It can evoke emotions, set a mood, tell a story, or create a deeply and universally understood feeling in its readers. This makes expounding its elements, and understanding its rich meaning, comparisons, and symbols, even more important.
The TP-CASTT method of poetry analysis is a great way to teach students to dissect a poem and understand its parts. It helps students to uncover the deeper meanings within poems while giving them the confidence to be self-educators. TP-CASTT Poetry Analysis is an order of operations similar to PEMDAS for math. It asks students to list items in sequential order and answer questions based on their reading of the poem.
In class, it is an excellent idea to look at poets who have been inspired by the Greeks. For this example, I have chosen “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats, a poem inspired by works like The Odyssey by Homer. This activity can be used with any poem of your choice, related to Greek mythology.
This is a great activity to have students do in a small group! Students may also enjoy selecting their own poem to analyze, with some parameters in place to help guide them in their decisions.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Perform a TPCASTT analysis of a poem inspired by Greek mythology. Remember that TPCASTT stands for Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shift, Title, Theme.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose any combination of scenes, characters, items, and text to represent each letter of TPCASTT.
- Write a few sentences describing the importance or meaning of the images.
- Finalize images, edit, and proofread your work.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPCASTT Responses | Every part of TPCASTT was thoroughly answered and there was sufficient evidence from the text. | Most parts of TPCASTT was answered with sufficient evidence to support claims. | Less than half of TPCASTT was answered and/or responses had insufficient evidence from the text. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depictions | Depictions chosen for each section are accurate to the poem and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for each section are mostly accurate to the poem. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for each section are inaccurate to the poem. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the poem. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the poem and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the poem. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
Activity Overview
Poetry is one of the most expressive forms of literature. It can evoke emotions, set a mood, tell a story, or create a deeply and universally understood feeling in its readers. This makes expounding its elements, and understanding its rich meaning, comparisons, and symbols, even more important.
The TP-CASTT method of poetry analysis is a great way to teach students to dissect a poem and understand its parts. It helps students to uncover the deeper meanings within poems while giving them the confidence to be self-educators. TP-CASTT Poetry Analysis is an order of operations similar to PEMDAS for math. It asks students to list items in sequential order and answer questions based on their reading of the poem.
In class, it is an excellent idea to look at poets who have been inspired by the Greeks. For this example, I have chosen “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats, a poem inspired by works like The Odyssey by Homer. This activity can be used with any poem of your choice, related to Greek mythology.
This is a great activity to have students do in a small group! Students may also enjoy selecting their own poem to analyze, with some parameters in place to help guide them in their decisions.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Perform a TPCASTT analysis of a poem inspired by Greek mythology. Remember that TPCASTT stands for Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shift, Title, Theme.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose any combination of scenes, characters, items, and text to represent each letter of TPCASTT.
- Write a few sentences describing the importance or meaning of the images.
- Finalize images, edit, and proofread your work.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPCASTT Responses | Every part of TPCASTT was thoroughly answered and there was sufficient evidence from the text. | Most parts of TPCASTT was answered with sufficient evidence to support claims. | Less than half of TPCASTT was answered and/or responses had insufficient evidence from the text. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depictions | Depictions chosen for each section are accurate to the poem and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for each section are mostly accurate to the poem. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for each section are inaccurate to the poem. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the poem. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the poem and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the poem. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How Tos about TP-CASTT a Greek Poem
Organize a poetry analysis gallery walk
Display each group's TP-CASTT analysis around the classroom so students can walk around and view different interpretations. This encourages peer learning and sparks new insights from seeing classmates' perspectives.
Assign student roles for group analysis
Divide TP-CASTT components among group members so each student is responsible for one part. This ensures everyone participates and becomes an expert on their section.
Model a think-aloud for one poem section
Demonstrate your thought process by analyzing one TP-CASTT category out loud. Students gain confidence seeing how to interpret and articulate their ideas step by step.
Use sentence starters to guide analysis
Provide helpful prompts like 'Based on the title, I predict...' or 'The tone of this poem feels...' This scaffolds student responses and makes analysis more accessible for all levels.
Facilitate a whole-class theme discussion
Lead a conversation comparing the themes identified by different groups. This helps students synthesize ideas and recognize recurring motifs in Greek-inspired poetry.
Frequently Asked Questions about TP-CASTT a Greek Poem
What is the TP-CASTT method in poetry analysis?
TP-CASTT is a structured approach for analyzing poems. It stands for Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shift, Title, Theme. This method helps students systematically break down and interpret the deeper meanings and elements within a poem.
How do I use the TP-CASTT strategy with a Greek poem in my classroom?
To use TP-CASTT with a Greek poem, guide students to analyze each step—starting with the poem’s title and ending with its overall theme. Encourage them to identify Greek mythological references, discuss tone, and summarize the poem’s message. Group discussions or creative assignments can deepen understanding.
Can TP-CASTT be applied to any poem or just those inspired by Greek mythology?
TP-CASTT can be used to analyze any poem, not just those related to Greek mythology. Its step-by-step structure works for poems from any genre or culture, making it a versatile tool for poetry study.
Why is TP-CASTT effective for helping students understand poetry?
TP-CASTT is effective because it breaks down complex poems into manageable steps. It helps students focus on individual elements—like tone, symbolism, and theme—boosting confidence and critical thinking when interpreting poetry.
What are some examples of Greek poems or poets suitable for TP-CASTT analysis?
Some suitable examples include poems inspired by Homer’s epics like The Odyssey, Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats, or modern works referencing Greek myths. These offer rich imagery and symbolism ideal for TP-CASTT analysis.
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