**SOAPSTone Analysis Framework**

**S - Subject:**
- What is the subject of the piece?
- What are the general topics, content, and ideas contained in the text?
- How do you know this from the text?
- Summarize the text.

**O - Occasion:**
- What are the time and place?
- What prompted the author to write the piece?
- What event led to the development?
- How do you know this from the text?

**A - Audience:**
- Who is the audience?
- To whom is the piece directed?
- What assumptions can you make about the audience?
- Are there any unusual or different words or phrases?
- Why is the speaker using this type of language?
- How do you know this from the text?

**P - Purpose:**
- What is the reason for the text?
- Why was it written?
- What goal did the author have in mind?
- How is the author trying to get a reaction from the audience?
- How do you know this from the text?

**S - Speaker:**
- Who is the speaker?
- Who is the voice that is speaking?
- What do we know about this person?
- What is his/her background?
- Is there a bias in what is written?
- How do you know this from the text?

**Tone:**
- What is the tone of the piece?
- What is the attitude expressed by the speaker?
- How do you know this?
- Examine the words and imagery to show where in the text your answer is supported.

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**Questions:**

1. What is the speaker’s viewpoint and claim?
- Optional sentence starter: The speaker’s viewpoint is... and his claim is...

2. What reasons does he give as evidence to support his viewpoint and claim?
- Optional sentence starter: Affleck uses several pieces of evidence to support his reasons/claim, including...

3. Identify a counterclaim that the speaker uses.
- Optional sentence starter: Affleck addresses the counterclaim of...

4. Locate an example of false/fallacious reasoning, distorted or weak evidence, and exaggerated language in the speech. Share your example and describe how you know it is not credible.
- Optional sentence starter: Affleck uses false/fallacious reasoning when he says...

5. Write a 1–2 paragraph RACES writing evaluation of the speaker’s argument. Use 2 or more direct quotes as evidence. Discuss whether the speaker used valid reasoning and sufficient, relevant, and valid evidence to support his viewpoint.

**RACES Support:**
- **R:** Restate the question in the answer.
- **A:** Answer all parts of the question.
- **C:** Cite evidence.
- **E:** Explain your evidence: Why you chose it and what it shows.
- **S:** Summarize what you said.

**Video Link:**
[Evaluate Speaker Ben Affleck Video](https://stride-streaming-media.k12.com/CURRICULUM2/691614/8093292/CURRENT_RELEASE/NG_ELA_09_B-01_Evaluate_Speaker_Ben_Affleck_VID.mp4)