Analyzing Primary Sources with SOAPSTone

SOAPSTone is an acronym that can help you remember what questions to ask when you're evaluating a primary source. To understand what the source is about and how to use it in your paper, first you need to identify this key information:

Who is the Speaker?

Who is the author or creator of thesource? Is it an individual or an organization/group? What details about the creator or creators do you think are important to consider? Identify important aspects of their background, interests, biases, and the degree of their expertise on the topic of the source.

What is the Occasion?

The occasion is the time and place the source was created. Consider whether these details add context to the source itself and why it was made. Think about distance — how geographically far was the location where the source was created from the location of the topic it focuses on? How much time has passed between the occurrence of the topic or event and the creation of the source?

Who is the Audience?

Who was the source created for? Who is meant to read or interact with the source and what details about them may influence how and why the source was made?

What is the Purpose?

What was the reason that inspired the creator to make this source? Did they have a particular goal in mind? For example, are they trying to persuade the audience to believe something or do something? Librarian Tip: How the acquisition of money and/or power might be involved in an author's purpose is often an important factor to consider!

What is the Subject?

Thinking about all the preceding question helps put the subject or topic of the source into context. What is the author ultimately trying to say or express? Is there a deeper meaning you can identify with all of this context in mind?

What is the Tone?

The tone of the source reflects the author's attitude or feelings towards the topic. If the source is written or verbal, we can piece this information together by analyzing the author's word choice — how is it meant to make the audience feel? If the source is art or another physical object, we will look for clues about the creator's tone in other ways. For example, if you are using a painted portrait as a primary source, does the artist depict the person who is the subject of the painting in a flattering way? Do they use objects in the painting to hint at details of that individual's life or personality and are those details embarrassing or complimentary?

Reading Primary Sources Like a Detective

Evaluating primary sources is a lot like a detective investigating for clues. Then, once you have the clues identified you become like the lawyer using those them as evidence to make an argument. Watch this short video to get into the detective mindset when you interact with your primary sources!