1. SOAPS elements
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Jonathan Edwards
S – subject/general topic/ideas the writer is describing
O – occasion for the writing (think “exigence” – time/place/situation)
A – audience the writing is directed toward
P – purpose/reason for writing
S – speaker’s characteristics/attitudes/views
Subject - analyze and provide 3 pieces of evidence from text or outside
reference.
Occasion - analyze and provide 3 pieces of evidence from text or outside
reference.
Audience the writing is directed toward - analyze (remember to identify the
beliefs, assumptions, and prejudices of that audience) and provide 3 pieces of
evidence from text or outside reference (e.g. Video Lesson #4).
Purpose/reason for writing - analyze and provide 3 pieces of evidence from text
or outside reference. REFER TO YOUR POWER VERBS CHART! No “describes”,
“shows” or “explains.”
Speaker’s characteristics/attitudes/views - analyze and provide 3 pieces of
evidence from text or outside reference.
2. What is the primary topic of his sermon? What are the sub-topics? How
does this represent Puritan life? Be brief.
Choose 3A/diction OR 3B/syntax.
3A. Analyze the diction: connotations and denotations, abstract and concrete
and images created by concrete diction—analyze the overall connotations and
emotional impact of these images. Limit your response to 5-6 sentences and be
sure you include evidence from the text.
OR
3B. Analyze the syntax: Lengths and types of sentences, loose, periodic, and
balanced, parallelism/patterns of repetition and other syntactical devices such
as appositives. Limit your response to 5-6 sentences and be sure you include
evidence from the text.
4. Determine the tone of the piece. How does this impact his purpose? Limit your response
to 3-4 sentences and be sure you include evidence from the text.
5. Analyze the appeals utilized by the speaker. You need at least one example of each
pathos, logos and ethos and then three more examples of your choice (ethos, pathos, and/or
logos). You will have six examples when you are finished. For each example, analyze its
impact on the piece and how it contributes to the purpose. Your response should be
complete, but not overly wordy -- be precise and direct.
Format:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Logos - “Quote” – impact
Pathos – “Quote” – impact
Ethos – “Quote” – impact
Your choice – “Quote” – impact
Your choice – “Quote” – impact
Your choice – “Quote” – impact