Speaker
Who is telling the story
What does "Occasion" mean in SOAPstone?
The time and place of the piece, and the context that prompted the writing.
Define "Audience" in a rhetorical term
The person or group the message is directed toward.
What is “Purpose” in SOAPSTone?
The reason behind the text, and what the speaker wants to achieve.
What does SOAPSTone stand for?
Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone.
True Or False: The Speaker is always the author
What is False?
Name the two types of occasion.
Immediate and broader (larger) occasion.
Why is knowing the audience important for analyzing purpose?
The author tailors tone and content based on the audience’s beliefs and needs.
Name one common purpose in rhetorical writing.
To persuade, inform, or entertain.
What is a rhetorical precis?
A four sentence summary that analyzes an author’s argument.
Name one way the author reveals the speaker's identity or persona?
Through tone, diction, or background details.
Give an example of a broader occasion.
A historical movement, war, or cultural shift.
Why might an author disguise or indirectly address their true audience?
To avoid censorship, provoke thought, or gain broader appeal.
How do rhetorical devices support purpose?
They enhance persuasion and clarify the message.
How long is a rhetorical precis?
Four sentences.
Explain why understanding the speaker is important in rhetorical analysis.
It helps us interpret bias, credibility, and perspective.
How does occasion influence the message?
It affects the urgency, relevance, and tone.
What clues help identify the audience in a speech?
Word choice, references, tone, and direct address.
How does an author's purpose affect the rhetorical strategies they choose?
Different purposes require specific appeals, tones, and structures.
What should the first sentence of a precis include?
Author, title, genre, date, and main claim.
Describe how the speaker's background can influence their rhetorical choices.
Their experiences, identity, and social position shape tone, examples, and appeals.
How can historical, cultural, or political context deepen your understanding of a text’s occasion?
It reveals underlying motivations, tensions, or influences that shape the message and its urgency.
Explain the difference between intended and secondary audience.
Intended is the primary target, while secondary may analyze the message later.
How can you determine an author’s purpose?
By analyzing diction, tone, structure, and argument.
What should sentence 2 of a precis explain?
How the author develops their argument.