SOAPSTone for “Good Grammar Get the Girl”
Speaker
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Occasion
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Audience
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Purpose
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Subject
Response:Men who don’t use proper grammar and spelling in written communication risk missing relationship opportunities with women.
Evidence:The speaker clearly states the subject in the middle of the essay directly before addressing her purpose. “Grammar isn’t just a subject taught in seventh grade or a thing you worry about when writing a cover letter any longer. If you can’t spell, use grammar, or express yourself through writing, you’re going to be in trouble with the ladies.” This opinion is the message she most wants her intended audience to understand. If they do, it mutually benefits them and the speaker in their objectives with building personal relationships.
Tone
Response:The speaker creates a tone in this piece that is good-humored and casual. She is obviously very sincere in her desire for men to change their approach to written communication, but she’s careful to not sound too preachy or patronizing. This essay reads more like an advice article in Esquire than a fuming editorial. Her introductory anecdote sets the tone. She is frustrated with her experiences with online dating so far, but she’s careful not to blame the responsible men. She even compliments him. “I’m sure Craig is actually very smart.” She even casually addresses Craig as “babe” at the end of the paragraph. This casual tone disarms her intended audience rather than making them feel the need to be defensive. She approaches them as if they are unaware women care about these details. She makes the comparison to wearing horrible fashion in a club, something any man would obviously avoid. This type of example adds to her good humor and casualness. Finally, her rules even exemplify her tone. They are real rules about grammar, but she uses Saved By the Bell and Tupac’s poetry in her sample sentences. These are not the kinds of examples used by a grammar snob or someone who wants to assert her authority over others. Since her ultimate intention is to convince men to properly represent themselves in writing, her tone is most beneficial in giving them the information they need to do so without embarrassing or belittling them.