Life Center Academy

Mnemonic Reminders

TP-CASTT Analysis
1 Title: Ponder the title before reading the poem
2 Paraphrase: Translate the poem into your own words
3 Connotation: Contemplate the poem for meaning beyond the literal
4 Attitude: Observe both the speaker's and the poet's attitude (tone)
5 Shifts: Note shifts in speakers and in attitudes
6 Title: Examine the title again, this time on an interpretive level
7 Theme: Determine what the poet is saying

Elements of Tone (DIDLS)
1 Diction: the connotation of the word choice
2 Images: vivid appeals to understanding through the senses
3 Details: facts that are included or omitted
4 Language: the overall use of language, such as formal, clinical, jargon
5 Sentence Structure: how structure affects the reader's attitude

Diction
Consider the following when discussing diction (word choice).
1 monosyllabic/polysyllabic
2 colloquial / informal / formal
3 denotative/ connotative
4 concrete / abstract
euphonious/cacophonous

SATTT
(Especially useful when first considering a narrative work)Ask yourself these questions about what you've read.
1 Setting: when and where is the event occurring? Could there be any symbolic significance to the author's choice of setting?
2 Action: What is occurring in the passage? Why did the author choose those particular actions?
3 Time: How much time elapses? How the passage of time (if any) is depicted? How is it significant to the text?
4 Tone: What is the author's attitude toward the subject? What does that suggest about the author? The topic?
5 Theme: What message is the author trying to convey? What lesson is being taught?

• Essay Tips: 5 Ways to Improve Your Essay Scores
• Connect the purpose (thesis) of your essay to the "big picture." This technique can be especially useful in the conclusion of your essay. Don't just restate your thesis!
• Be original. Answer the prompt with creativity! Everyone else is likely answering the prompt with the same approach. Take a risk, and be original! Most AP scorers will reward you for not putting them to sleep with a boring yet "safe" essay.
• Vary your sentence structure. Use short sentences. Mix those in with longer sentences to add variety and sophistication to your writing.
• Be specific. Which literary devices did the author use? Why did he use these particular literary devices? The more specific you are, the more credibility you'll get from the AP scorer.
• Use present tense. Present tense is more direct and powerful than passive voice.
• Good: The author used alliteration to emphasize his point.
• Bad: Alliteration was used by the author to emphasize his point.