SOAPSTone (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone)
I’m not sure of the source of this…but I found out about this method of analyzing writing via Michael Flinchbaugh. I may have my interns develop a writing prompt that addresses these features.
SOAPSTone (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone)
Who is the Speaker?
The voice that tells the story. Before students begin to write, they must decide whose voice is going to be heard. Whether this voice belongs to a fictional character or to the writers themselves, students should determine how to insert and develop those attributes of the speaker that will influence the perceived meaning of the piece.What is the Occasion?
The time and the place of the piece; the context that prompted the writing. Writing does not occur in a vacuum. All writers are influenced by the larger occasion: an environment of ideas, attitudes, and emotions that swirl around a broad issue. Then there is the immediate occasion: an event or situation that catches the writer’s attention and triggers a response.Who is the Audience?
The group of readers to whom this piece is directed. As they begin to write, students must determine who the audience is that they intend to address. It may be one person or a specific group. This choice of audience will affect how and why students write a particular text.What is the Purpose?
The reason behind the text. Students need to consider the purpose of the text in order to develop the thesis or the argument and its logic. They should ask themselves, “What do I want my audience to think or do as a result of reading my text?”What is the Subject?
Students should be able to state the subject in a few words or phrases. This step helps them to focus on the intended task throughout the writing process.What is the Tone?
The attitude of the author. The spoken word can convey the speaker’s attitude and thus help to impart meaning through tone of voice. With the written word, it is tone that extends meaning beyond the literal, and students must learn to convey this tone in their diction (choice of words), syntax (sentence construction), and imagery (metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language). The ability to manage tone is one of the best indicators of a sophisticated writer.
Vick wrote:
The SOAPSTone exercise is time wasting and does not allow students to think about their assignment. Most students make up random “fluff” that fills space and looks good on the sheet, but when actually asked about each topic, they can only produce one sentence. One word should be used for each of those and then an explanation of why that word fits the topic should be the required exercise.
Posted on 03-Mar-08 at 10:57 pm | Permalink
Grace wrote:
I hate SOAPSTone’s. they don’t help you learn and kids just lose them. I don’t understand teachers that use them.
Posted on 28-May-08 at 9:54 am | Permalink
Margo wrote:
SOAPS is from teh College board. I like to use it but i added, UDS– undertones, diction, and support ( or in poetry, sound qualities)
Posted on 06-Nov-08 at 11:56 am | Permalink
Dennis kafbaibre wrote:
Very usefull post.
Thanks.
P.S. I like your writing style.
Posted on 17-Dec-08 at 7:43 pm | Permalink
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Posted on 18-Dec-08 at 6:37 am | Permalink
TimurAlhimenkov wrote:
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Posted on 01-Jan-09 at 3:00 pm | Permalink
CHRISTINA wrote:
My AP LANGUAGE teacher uses SOAPSTONE. I actually find it to be very helpful, as it allows you to dig deeper with a guideline that is essential to understanding the text! Smart teachers will use this.
Posted on 30-Aug-09 at 10:37 pm | Permalink
Jaded wrote:
SOAPSTone is complicated for a middle schooler
Posted on 22-Nov-09 at 5:15 pm | Permalink
sherry wrote:
thanksss. this helped alot =D
Posted on 21-Dec-09 at 10:36 pm | Permalink
Odin wrote:
This is a good example of why i hate the American school system.
Posted on 12-Feb-10 at 4:44 pm | Permalink
American Student wrote:
You guys are just jelous that America has the best school system after WWII. Germanye ain’t got nothin’ on us.
If you think that this is time-wasting, explain Quantum Physics to me. Go ahead.
Posted on 26-Feb-10 at 8:18 am | Permalink
American Student wrote:
im a fag
Posted on 02-Mar-10 at 7:49 am | Permalink