SOAPSTone Build your rhetorical analysis upon the SOAPSTone of the text (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, and Tone). You should ideally identify these components before writing your analysis, but you will also include them briefly in your introduction. Text: “Sophie’s World,” by Jostein Gaarder Speaker Jostein Gaarder, Norwegian author and philosopher Occasion Young adult novel published in 1991 Audience Readers with a passing interest in the history of Western philosophy Purpose To inform readers about the growth and evolution of philosophic ideas Subject Sophie Amundsen, a teenager living in Norway, is slowly introduced to philosophy by a mysterious letter writer Tone Casual, accessible, and informative Rhetorical Appeals There are three main rhetorical strategies that a speaker or writer may use in order to present his or her ideas to the audience. Appeal Definition Example Ethos Relies on the writer’s credibility and character to gain approval Jostein Gaarder is a well-established author with over 20 years experience teaching and writing about philosophy. Logos Uses evidence, data, and facts to make an argument All philosophical arguments and ideas in the novel are based upon real world sources. Pathos Evokes the audience’s emotion in order to gain approval The protagonist is a relatable and likeable character. Thesis statement The thesis statement provides a focus for the rest of your analysis. Build your thesis around one of the following themes or questions: * Which rhetorical techniques does the writer use in order to move people towards his or her desired purpose? Jostein Gaarder primarily utilizes pathos in order to establish a sense of sympathy and solidarity with his protagonist. * Choose one or two aspects of the text to analyze over the course of your essay. Frequent references throughout the text to nautical terminology and imagery allow the reader to better visualize Sophie’s emotional journey towards enlightenment. * Consider making an original argument. “Sophie’s World” is not a novel about philosophy—instead, it is a searing condemnation of a pseudo-scientific “self help” social movement which gained traction in Norway during the late 20th century.