SIFTT: A POEM ANALYSIS STRATEGY

IN POETRY ANALYSIS, S IFTT STANDS FOR…

S = SymbolsI = Imagery

F = Figurative LanguageT = Tone/MoodT = Theme

IMAGERY

Words that appeal to the five senses.• Sight Smell Taste Touch Sound

When a poem shows you something instead of just telling you.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE REVIEWMetaphor: Comparison between two things

• Our vacation was heaven.

Simile: Comparison using like or as• “She grew up slow, like American honey.”• The tree is as strong as an Army tank.

Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration• I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Personification: Un-human things take on human traits• The walls listened to our conversation.

TONEWhat is the author’s attitude toward the subject of the poem?

Imagine the way the author’s voice would sound as they read the poem’s words.

Tone must be inferred from the author’s word choice.

MoodWhat does the poem make you feel?

Tone is them (the author)

Mood is me Mood/Tone Video

THEMEWhat is the deeper meaning behind the words of the poem? What is the poem trying to teach you?

Examples:I learned that loyalty is an important part of friendship.

I learned that families can take on many shapes and forms.

T O N E : W H A T I S T H E S U B J E C T O F T H E P O E M ?W H A T I S T H E A U T H O R ’ S A T T I T U D E T O WA R D T H E

S U B J E C T ?

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

Reminder:Tone- The author’s attitude toward the subject.Theme- The lesson about life or deeper meaning behind the words.

T O N E : W H A T I S T H E S U B J E C T O F T H E P O E M ?W H A T I S T H E A U T H O R ’ S A T T I T U D E T O W A R D T H E

S U B J E C T ?

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

Reminder:Tone- The author’s attitude toward the subject.Theme- The lesson about life or deeper meaning behind the words.

MOOD: HOW DOES THE POEM MAKE YOU FEEL?

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

MOODHold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

T H E M E : C H O O S E A T H E M AT I C I D E A .W H AT D O W E L E A R N A B O U T T H AT I D E A ?

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

Reminder:Theme- The lesson about life or deeper meaning behind the words.

Love is like the wild rose-briar, Friendship like the holly-tree— The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms But which will bloom most constantly?

The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring, Its summer blossoms scent the air; Yet wait till winter comes again And who will call the wild-briar fair?

Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now And deck thee with the holly’s sheen, That when December blights thy brow He still may leave thy garland green.

Love and FriendshipEmily Brontë

ROSE BRIAR HOLLY

ROSE BRIAR HOLLY