SOAPSTone
Purpose: To use an analytical process
to understand the author’s craft
*AP Strategy for test taking*
Credit: Katie Brown, Erin Meese
Shuksan Middle School
S
O
A
P
S
Tone
Speaker- who?
Occasion- what happened?
Audience- reader?
Purpose- why?
Subject-
what?
Tone- attitude?
Speaker
•
•
•
•
Who is the speaker, not just the author!
What are they like?
What are their interests?
Who are they speaking for?
Occasion
• What caused someone to think about writing?
• What is the particular occasion for this specific
piece of writing?
Audience
• Who is the intended reader?
• Who is the writer speaking to?
Purpose
• Why is this article being written?
• Inform?
Explain?
Persuade ?
Subject
• What is the topic?
• What is this article about?
TONE
• What is the author’s attitude toward the
subject?
• Does the writing seem positive or negative?