Writing Notes #7: SOAPSTone Mr. Eble CP2 Senior English

What is SOAPSTone? An acronym that will help you analyze any persuasive text (like a speech) and organize your own persuasive writing.

SUBJECT What is the general topic of the text? Summarize in a few words or phrases EXAMPLE: The subject of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech is racism, civil rights, and equality in American society.

OCCASION What is the time and place in which the text was created / delivered (in the case of a speech)? What geographical, historical influences are important to consider? EXAMPLE: MLK spoke during the Civil Rights movement in America on August 28, 1963 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. American struggled with nearly one hundred years of segregation following the Civil War. One hundred years before, Lincoln had delivered the Emancipation Proclamation

AUDIENCE The listeners / readers towards whom the text is directed. Not everyone is the same; often, speakers will have different audiences in their speeches. EXAMPLE: In MLK’s speech, he directed his attention to African Americans suffering under the oppression of Jim Crow and segregation; he also spoke to white Americans and leaders. In particular, his audience of 250,000 were gathered around the Reflecting Pool in D.C., and millions more listened at home on radio and watched on television.

PURPOSE What is the goal behind the text? (write in an infinitive: to ____) Why was it written? Sometimes this is explicit (stated directly); other times, it is implicit (not stated directly) EXAMPLE: MLK sought to assure African Americans that their struggles were not in vain, that their suffering from segregation would come to an end and that they should have hope; he also sought to persuade white Americans to adopt the struggle of African Americans in the context of the American dream. His purpose was implicit.

SPEAKER The voice that is speaking / the person delivering the speech. What do we know about the person delivering the speech? What did the audience think about the person delivering the speech? EXAMPLE: Many white Americans saw King as a rabble-rouser who was causing problem; others saw him as many of his African American audience members did: As a leader of a movement and a preacher who was a faith-filled man of action.

TONE The author’s attitude towards the subject. Examine the diction (word choice), emotions expressed, imagery used to determine the speaker’s attitude. EXAMPLE: MLK spoke in a sometimes informative tone to show Americans the struggle of African Americans; he also spoke in a hopeful tone, as evidenced by his use of allusions to the Bible.

Diction Ladder Frozen (ceremonial): Language that does not change. EXAMPLE: Religious ceremonies, Pledge of Allegiance Formal: Complete sentences and specific word usage. EXAMPLE: Academic papers, essays, editorials. Consultative: Formal register used in conversation. EXAMPLE: Language used in business or classroom discussions. Casual: Word choice is general, and conversation is dependent upon non-verbal assists. EXAMPLE: Language used in conversation with friends. Colloquial: Language particular to a geographic location. “Y’all” is associated with the south; “Pop,” “Soft Drink,” or “Soda” all denote a carbonated beverage in different geographical regions. Intimate: Language between lovers. Also the language of sexual harassment… Jargon: Language associated with a trade or profession. Slang: Language only understood among a select group of people often defined by age, sex, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.