![TPCASTT in "Ozymandias"](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-srcsets/kristy-littlehale/tpcastt-in--ozymandias-.png "TPCASTT in "Ozymandias"")
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.
"Ozymandias" TPCASTT
| T | TITLE | “Ozymandias” sounds exotic. It could be the name of a place, or a person from a long time ago. |
|---|---|---|
| P | PARAPHRASE |
The speaker meets a traveler who has recently seen the great statue of the powerful pharaoh Ramses II, or Ozymandias. The traveler tells the speaker that the statue is in pieces in the sand in the middle of the desert. Ozymandias used to be a great and mighty king, but there is nothing left of his empire anymore. |
| C | CONNOTATION |
The speaker uses words such as antique, vast, shattered, cold command, despair, nothing… remains, decay, and wreck to emphasize that this once-great King’s statue now lies broken in a wasteland. Ozymandias once thought he would be remembered for his works which were so great they would last forever, but now, there is nothing left. |
| A | ATTITUDE/TONE |
The tone seems to be ironic. After describing this shattered visage which was once sculpted with such care by its creator, the inscription on the pedestal shows that it was once a symbol of great power. Unfortunately, that power did not last for Ozymandias. |
| S | SHIFTS |
As is true of most sonnets, there is a shift. The shift is found when the speaker moves from describing the physical aspects of the statue, which shows that it is in pieces, to the significance of the statue which is found on the pedestal. This is no longer a piece of marble in the desert; it was the statue of a great king. |
| T | TITLE |
The title is about the King, Ozymandias, and his great statue that lies in ruins in the middle of the desert. |
| T | THEME |
The theme of the poem is that human power and greatness is transient, and while we all hope to leave our mark on the world in some way, nothing lasts forever—not even great empires. |
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 "Ozymandias". 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.
"Ozymandias" TPCASTT
| T | TITLE | “Ozymandias” sounds exotic. It could be the name of a place, or a person from a long time ago. |
|---|---|---|
| P | PARAPHRASE |
The speaker meets a traveler who has recently seen the great statue of the powerful pharaoh Ramses II, or Ozymandias. The traveler tells the speaker that the statue is in pieces in the sand in the middle of the desert. Ozymandias used to be a great and mighty king, but there is nothing left of his empire anymore. |
| C | CONNOTATION |
The speaker uses words such as antique, vast, shattered, cold command, despair, nothing… remains, decay, and wreck to emphasize that this once-great King’s statue now lies broken in a wasteland. Ozymandias once thought he would be remembered for his works which were so great they would last forever, but now, there is nothing left. |
| A | ATTITUDE/TONE |
The tone seems to be ironic. After describing this shattered visage which was once sculpted with such care by its creator, the inscription on the pedestal shows that it was once a symbol of great power. Unfortunately, that power did not last for Ozymandias. |
| S | SHIFTS |
As is true of most sonnets, there is a shift. The shift is found when the speaker moves from describing the physical aspects of the statue, which shows that it is in pieces, to the significance of the statue which is found on the pedestal. This is no longer a piece of marble in the desert; it was the statue of a great king. |
| T | TITLE |
The title is about the King, Ozymandias, and his great statue that lies in ruins in the middle of the desert. |
| T | THEME |
The theme of the poem is that human power and greatness is transient, and while we all hope to leave our mark on the world in some way, nothing lasts forever—not even great empires. |
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 "Ozymandias". 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 \"Ozymandias\" TPCASTT Analysis
Use Visual Aids to Make TPCASTT Analysis Engaging
Incorporate visual elements such as images, diagrams, or storyboards when teaching TPCASTT to help students connect with the poem. Visualizing each component makes abstract ideas more concrete and boosts understanding, especially for visual learners.
Model TPCASTT Analysis with a Sample Poem First
Demonstrate a full TPCASTT breakdown using a different, shorter poem before assigning "Ozymandias." This walkthrough lets students see the process in action and ask questions, building their confidence for independent work.
Encourage Small Group Collaboration on Each TPCASTT Step
Assign students to small groups and have each group tackle one TPCASTT element before sharing with the class. Collaboration sparks discussion, clarifies confusion, and helps everyone engage with the poem's layers.
Support Deeper Thinking with Guiding Questions
Provide targeted questions for each TPCASTT step, such as "What mood does the word 'shattered' create?" or "How does the theme relate to a modern context?" This encourages analysis beyond surface-level answers and supports critical thinking.
Celebrate Creative Interpretations in Student Presentations
Invite students to present their TPCASTT findings in creative ways, like skits, posters, or digital slideshows. Celebrating diverse interpretations fosters engagement and shows there are many valid ways to understand poetry.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"Ozymandias\" TPCASTT Analysis
What is the TPCASTT method for analyzing poetry?
The TPCASTT method is a step-by-step strategy for analyzing poetry. It guides students through examining a poem’s Title, Paraphrase, Connotation, Attitude/Tone, Shifts, Title (again), and Theme to uncover deeper meanings and literary elements.
How do you use TPCASTT to analyze "Ozymandias"?
To analyze "Ozymandias" with TPCASTT, students break down the poem by summarizing its meaning, exploring word choices, identifying tone and shifts, and discussing its central theme about the fleeting nature of power. Each TPCASTT step helps reveal new insights.
What is the main theme of "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley?
The main theme of "Ozymandias" is the impermanence of human power and achievement. The poem illustrates that even the greatest empires and rulers will eventually fade, leaving only ruins behind.
Why is TPCASTT effective for teaching poetry to students?
TPCASTT is effective because it provides a clear structure for students to follow, boosts literary confidence, and encourages critical thinking. By breaking analysis into manageable steps, it makes poetry more accessible for all learners.
What are some tips for creating a TPCASTT analysis assignment for "Ozymandias"?
For a TPCASTT analysis assignment, ask students to describe each step in their own words, use visuals for each part of the acronym, and explain the significance of their choices. Encourage discussion on the poem’s message about legacy and impermanence.
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