SOAPS - Mood Boosters Comic

​SOAPS Analysis

By Elizabeth Rauscher

SOAPS is a rhetorical analysis framework that helps readers understand how authors construct their messages. Each letter represents a key element:

- Speaker

- Occasion  

- Audience

- Purpose

- Subject

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​What is SOAPS Analysis?

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Definition: The main topic or content focus

How to Identify:

- Identify the central theme or topic

- Look at headings, titles, and key terms

- Consider what the text is fundamentally about

- Examine supporting details and examples

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​Subject

In Our Example:

- Subject: Quick mood improvement techniques

- Focus on "science-backed" methods

- Emphasizes 15-minute timeframe

- Covers feeling "energized," "calm," and "connected"

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​Subject

Who is the Speaker in the Comic?

- The speaker appears to be Life Kit (NPR's self-help program)

- Uses accessible, friendly tone suggesting expertise in wellness

- Positions themselves as helpful guides, not medical professionals

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​Speaker

Who is the Speaker in the Comic?

- The speaker appears to be Life Kit (NPR's self-help program)

- Uses accessible, friendly tone suggesting expertise in wellness

- Positions themselves as helpful guides, not medical professionals

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​Speaker

Open Ended

Who wrote this article and why should we trust them?

Look at where this came from (Life Kit) and think about what makes someone qualified to give advice about improving your mood. Does the writer's background make their advice more believable?

Open Ended

How does the writer talk to readers?

Notice words like "tricks," "snap yourself out," and "slump." Why do you think the writer chose casual, everyday language instead of formal terms? How does this affect how you feel about the advice?

In Our Example:

- Originally published October 16, 2024, then republished

- Addresses universal human experience of feeling down

- Timing suggests response to ongoing mental health awareness

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​Occasion

In Our Example:

- Originally published October 16, 2024, then republished

- Addresses universal human experience of feeling down

- Timing suggests response to ongoing mental health awareness

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​Occasion

Open Ended

Why do people need mood-boosting tips today?

Think about what's happening in our world right now. What social media, technology, or life pressures might make people feel down more often?

Open Ended

What's good and bad about making science "easy to understand"?

The article mentions "science-backed techniques." What are the pros and cons of taking research studies and turning them into simple tips for everyday people?

Definition: The intended readers or listeners

How to Identify:

- Analyze vocabulary level and complexity

- Look for direct address (you, your)

- Consider what knowledge the author assumes readers have

- Examine examples and references used

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​Audience

In Our Example:

- Uses "you" directly addressing readers

- Assumes audience experiences common mood challenges

- Language is accessible to general public

- Targets people seeking quick, practical solutions

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​Audience

Open Ended

Would these tips work for everyone?

Think about people of different ages, lifestyles, and income levels. Would a 15-minute solution work the same way for a busy parent, a high school student, and a retired person?

In Our Example:

- Primary purpose: to provide practical mood-boosting techniques

- Secondary purpose: to offer hope and empowerment

- Wants readers to try science-backed methods

- Aims to help people "turn your day around"

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​Purpose

Definition: The author's goal or intention

How to Identify:

- Look for explicit statements of intent

- Examine calls to action

- Consider what the author wants readers to think, feel, or do

- Analyze the overall message

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​Purpose

Open Ended

What is this article trying to do?

Is it mainly trying to teach you something, convince you to do something, or entertain you? Find specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Multiple Choice

Based on the article's emphasis on '15 minutes or less,' what can you infer about the target audience's primary concern regarding mood improvement strategies?

• They prefer complex, long-term therapeutic interventions

• They value time-efficient solutions that fit into busy schedules

• They believe only extended practices can create meaningful change

• They are skeptical of any quick psychological interventions

Multiple Choice

The article mentions 'science-backed techniques.' What does this suggest about the author's approach to establishing credibility with readers?

• The author prioritizes popular trends over evidence-based approaches

• The author relies primarily on personal anecdotes and testimonials

• The author emphasizes empirical research to validate the effectiveness of suggested methods

• The author focuses on traditional cultural practices without modern validation

Multiple Choice

When the article states 'No special tools or materials required (unless you want to jump in the ice bath!),' what rhetorical strategy is being employed?

• Creating anxiety about expensive equipment needs

• Using humor while emphasizing accessibility and acknowledging one exception

• Promoting commercial products through subtle advertising

• Discouraging readers from trying advanced techniques

Multiple Choice

The article addresses three specific emotional states: sluggish, stressed, and lonely. What does this categorization reveal about the author's understanding of mood challenges?

• Emotional states can be systematically categorized and addressed with targeted interventions

• Mood issues are always related to physical health problems

• All negative emotions stem from the same underlying cause

• Mood problems are too complex to be addressed with simple techniques

Multiple Choice

Considering the article's republication from October 2024, what can you deduce about the content's perceived value and relevance?

• The timing was strategically chosen to coincide with seasonal mood changes

• The information was considered outdated and needed significant revision

• The original publication contained errors that required correction

• The content was deemed valuable enough to share again with a broader audience

Multiple Choice

The phrase 'snap yourself out of a funk' suggests what kind of relationship between the individual and their emotional state?

• Emotions are completely beyond personal control and require professional intervention

• Negative emotions should be suppressed rather than addressed

• Individuals can take active, immediate steps to influence their mood and mental state

• Mood changes require gradual, long-term lifestyle modifications

Multiple Choice

The article's promise to help readers 'turn your day around' implies what philosophical stance about daily experiences?

• Individual agency can significantly impact the quality of daily experiences

• Positive thinking alone is sufficient to overcome all challenges

• External circumstances are the sole determinants of daily mood

• Each day's emotional trajectory is predetermined and unchangeable

Multiple Choice

The article's focus on 'science-backed techniques' rather than traditional or cultural approaches suggests what about the intended audience's values?

• They value complexity over simplicity in psychological interventions

• They reject all traditional wisdom in favor of modern trends

• They are primarily interested in pharmaceutical interventions

• They prefer methods validated through systematic research and empirical evidence