1. SOAPSTone Analysis
Pre-AP English 9

2. Sell me this pen! Reflection
Did you feel that you were able to write an effective argument with only the information that you were given? Why or why not?
Once you knew the information that other groups were given, in what ways would you have changed your argument?
In what other situations in life might it be important to consider the aspects of argument that you considered today? Why might considering ALL of the elements be important?

3. SOAPSTone Analysis
A method for doing a close reading of any piece of writing that helps you to consider many elements of how the piece was written, beyond the surface
Understanding the elements of SOAPSTone can also help you as a writer to construct more compelling writing.

4. S - SPEAKER
What is it?
The voice that tells the story or makes the argument
What do I need to ask myself?
Who is speaking? Is it the writer? Is it a character? How can we tell? What does the writing say about the speaker?

5. O - Occasion
What is it?
The time and place the piece was written; the context that prompted the writing
What do I need to ask myself?
What are they writing in response to? What’s happening in the larger world? What is the specific reason the person is writing?

6. A - Audience
What is it?
The group of readers to whom this piece is directed
What do I need to ask myself?
Is the writing intended to challenge a predicted point of view? To build on a point of view? Is the audience a peer group? Superiors? Other? Are there intended audiences and unintended audiences?

7. P - Purpose What is it? The reason behind the text
What do I need to ask myself?
What are readers supposed to think as a result of this person’s writing?
PURPOSE is different than OCCASION. This element deals NOT with the context of the writing but with what you want the reader to DO after reading.

8. S - Subject
What is it?
The main topic or idea of the writing; should be able to state in a few words or phrases
What do I need to ask myself?
What is the main topic of the writing?

9. Tone What is it? The attitude of the writer towards their topic
What do I need to ask myself?
What is the writer’s attitude? How does that attitude influence the writing and how the reader feels?