Question Stems (Reading or Writing) +BONUS
"The author cites Lincoln's example primarily to...?" Is what type of question stem? Reading or Writing?
Reading
Before you read the passage, you should do this to ALL the paragraphs.
Number the Paragraphs
Strategy 1: Where should I look to find the author's core concern, purpose, and/or stance?
First and Last Lines
"I wave as he walks by me. No reply. I wave to my friend when I see her in the hall. No reply. I wave to my classmates when I leave the school for the last time. No reply."
What rhetorical device would be labeled here?
Anaphora
This is also known as the general topic, content, and ideas contained in the text.
Subject
"Which of the following sentences, if placed before sentence 1, would...?" is what type of question stem? Reading or Writing?
Writing
Sometimes a passage is given a small 'blurb' prior to the actual reading itself, what context does this usually contain and should be noted? (Multiple Answers)
Time/Occasion (When the piece was written)
Source Context (Where it was excerpted from)
Author Background
Audience
Strategy 3: When given a section of the passage to read, how much more of the passage should be considered?
A. 4 lines after the section
B. The entire paragraph the section is in
C. 1 line above and below
D. 2 lines above and below
D.
The author is considering adding a detail about swingsets to to following excerpt about diversity in playground equipment...Should the author add this detail?
Yes, It pertains to the subject of the piece and would add value to the author's point that playgrounds should have a variety of structures.
This can often be found when considering publication date, important historical events of the time, and the context of the subject at the time.
(Also includes exigence for Non-fiction)
Occasion
Given that "The relationship between ____ and ____ is explained primarily by the use of which of the following?" is a Reading question stem, which Sub-category is it located in?
Reasoning and Organization
These devices should be noted when an author changes the subject and needs a segway from one point to another.
Transition Words/Phrases
Strategy 6: What type of wording should ALWAYS pay attention to in the answer choices?
Absolutes and "loaded" words (always, never, universally, etc)
When the answer choice is "descriptive analysis followed by a final judgment" you can infer that the question was asking about the passages _____"
Organization/Rhetorical Structure
There may be many of these. It is possibly the most important part of SOAPSTone to consider when you are an author. It is also important to note when analyzing rhetorical effectiveness.
(The piece is directed at this group)
Audience
Given that "The writer wants to add the following sentence to the third paragraph to provide additional explanation. Where would the sentence best be placed?" is a Writing question stem, what Sub-category is it located in?
None (there are no sub-categories) :0
When reading the passage, you notice that the author makes a specific writing choice that aids in the development of the purpose of the piece. What would you label this as?
Rhetorical Device
Strategy 2: This basic English Convention should be noted when close reading.
Punctuation and how it influences the flow of ideas
The sample passage is a personal account of the events a successful business women had to overcome to achieve success in the mid-1980s and was published today. Which of the following would be a likely exigence for this piece?
A. The Women's Rights Movement
B. Civil Rights Movement
C. The Speech Made by Harrison Butker
D. 2020 Black Lives Matter
C.
When you read the piece aloud, what does it sound like? How does the author feel towards the subject? Attitude?
Tone
"The imagery in lines (...) best functions to achieve what effect?" is what type of question stem and sub-category (as needed)?
Reading (Style)
The author is speaking about a subject and suddenly they convey that they don't feel the same way about a subject as they did before. They change verbiage and use of adjectives in the piece. What would this indicate?
Tone Shift
Strategy 8: These are the choices an author makes to convey the purpose to a specific audience, and should be noted while close reading.
Rhetorical Devices
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."
*The excerpt is from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
The italicized portion is described as which rhetorical strategy?
Euphemism
This is often used when searching for bias in a piece. In fiction, it isn't necessarily the author, but also the narrator.
Speaker