This document outlines the SOAPSTone method for analyzing texts. It breaks the method down into its components: S (Speaker), O (Occasion), A (Audience), P (Purpose), S (Subject), and T (Tone). For each component, it provides guidance on what to look for and consider, such as the speaker's identity and credibility, the context and prompt for creation, the intended and actual audiences, the author's goals, the topic, and attitude conveyed. The overall purpose of the SOAPSTone method is to conduct a thorough contextual analysis of a text in order to better understand its intended meaning and effect.

1. SOAPSTone
A tool for analyzing

2. S – Speaker
 Who/what is the voice
behind the words or images?
 Remember it is not enough to
simply name the speaker!
 What can you say about the
speaker based on references
to the text?
 Why is it important that the
audience know who he is?

3. O – Occasion
 What is the context? Time and place?
 What incident caused this to be created?
 What prompted the author to write this
piece? How do you know from the text? What
event led to its publication or development?
 Be certain to discuss and
record both the larger occasion,
that is, those issues or ideas
that must have made the
speaker think about the
incident, as well as the
immediate occasion,
whatever made her decide
to write about it now.

4. A – Audience
 To whom is this text
directed?
 It’s not enough to say:
“Anyone who reads it.” You
want to identify a certain
audience by describing some of
its characteristics.
 It may be one person, a small
group, or a large group; it may
be a certain person or a certain
people.
 Think about who is the
immediate audience and
then a larger scale/long
term one.
 What assumptions can you
make about the audience?

5. P – Purpose
 What is the reason
behind the text?
Why was it written?
 What goal did
the author have
in mind?
 What modes of writing/
rhetoric does it use?
 The purpose could be purely a
personal one, e.g. to assuage guilt, to boast.
But it could also be directed at the audience,
in which case you will have to decide what
the message is and how the author wants the
audience to respond.

6. S – SUBJECT
 What is the general topic, content, or idea
contained in the text?
 Think about it both literally and figuratively.
 Summarize in a few words or phrase.

7. Tone
 BEFORE we can even get to TONE, we must
analyze TECHNIQUES!
 DIDLS, Rhetoric – this is where your terms and
handouts come into play.
 You should annotate the passage. Examine the choice of
words, emotions expressed, imagery used to determine
the speaker's attitude.
 However, just marking items isn’t enough. You have to
think about the EFFECT of its usage.
 Then to determine tone, decide what attitude is
expressed by the speaker towards the subject.
 This is where your tone list comes in handy.
 Remember a piece’s tone can be obvious or nuanced.
Either way you must rely on textual evidence to support
your evaluation.

8. Today’s Task
 With your partner(s) complete a
SOAPSTone Analysis over a poem
 Clearly label each section of your analysis.
 Then, be prepared to discuss the following
question:
 What are the chief rhetorical
devices/techniques that the author uses to
develop her assertion, and what is the effect
created by their usage?