P.A.S.T. / L. A.S.T. (The
poetry reading prompt) - Prof's Notes
| Consider this mnemonic and the associated questions in your first readings of a poem. However, artificial, it may lead you to consider aspects of a poem that you would otherwise neglect. Once you begin to become familiar with it, you may want to move more freely among the terms; eventually you will sense whether or or another set of elemetns is important to a poem--and focus there. As we discuss poems in class, you will also learn more precise literary terms. Remember that PAST/LAST is a deliberately simple prompt for reading which you will eventually outgrow! |
Paraphrase
- restate the most obvious thread of the poem (think content)
Argument - briefly recap its 'point' if one is
obvious
Structure - note formal features: lines, stanza,
rhyme, rhythm (patterns and shifts)
Title - what is the title? what expectations does
it raise? how does it fit what follows?
Language
- is it literal or figurative (symbol, metaphor, hyperbole, etc.)? describe the diction.
Attitude/tone - does the language suggest a mood,
emotion, or general "feel"? What and how?
Speaker - is the speaker identifiable (singular)?
gender, age, time period...?
Theme - does the poem suggest an overall theme
(perhaps something familar, eg. carpe diem).