The Soapstone Method

THE SOAPSTONE METHOD

Who is the
SPEAKER?
• The voice that is speaking. Identification of the historical person (or group of people) who created the primary source.
• What do we know about this historic or contemporary person?
• What role does he play in an historic event?
What is the
OCCASION?
• What is the time and place? The context in which the primary source was created?
• What is the Geographic and Historic intersection at which this source was produced?
Who is the
AUDIENCE?
• The readers to whom this document is directed
• The audience may be one person, a small group, or a large group; it may be a certain person or a certain people.
What is the
PURPOSE?
• What is the reason behind the text;
• Why was it written? What goal did the author have in mind?
What is the
SUBJECT?
• What is the general topic, content, or idea contained in the text?
• Summarize in a few words or phrase.
What is the
TONE?
• What is the attitude expressed by the speaker?
• Examine the choice of words, emotions expressed, imagery used to determine the speaker’s attitude.
2011-2012 Designed by Larry Knight (#3153)