SOAP in Pre-Writing

SOAP

SOAP in prewriting

Prewriting is the first stage of the writing process, and may include planning, research, outlining, diagramming, storyboarding or clustering (see also mind-mapping).

SOAP-STone is an acronym for a series of questions that you must first ask yourself, and then answer, as you begin to plan your composition.

Subject: Who or what are you writing about? Is it abstract or concrete? Is it current or timeless? Is it specific or general?
Occasion: What idea or incident is inspiring this need for persuasion? What is the larger occasion or context (the broader issue) that prompted the piece? What is the immediate occasion?
Audience: To whom is the writing/text addressed or directed? How is the message tailored to the needs of a specific group? What do they believe about the subject? Are they a supportive or skeptical audience?
Purpose: Why does the text exist? What is the goal of the speaker? What specifically do you want the audience to realize? What action does the speaker wish the audience to take?
The original SOAP was extended by two additional areas:
Speaker: Who is talking or writing? What authority does this person? How did the person earn the opportunity to deliver the message?
Tone: The spoken word conveys the speaker's attitude and can thus help to impart meaning through tone of voice. With the written word, it is tone that extends meaning beyond the literal, and the diction (choice of words), syntax (sentence construction), and imagery (metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language) should emphasize the intended purpose.

SOAP in Documentation

SOAP notes are a style of documentation that medical professionals use to record information about patients. This acronym stands for (described in an abbreviated form):

subjective: The information the patient reports.
objective: Test results and observations.
assessment: The diagnosis of the injury.
plan: The next steps for treatmeant.

Often the Assessment and Plan sections are grouped together!

For information about scientific progress consider also Microscopy & Medicine as a resource.