Are you using SOAP every time you write?
What’s SOAP you might ask? Read on to learn more about this interesting way of writing.
Do you use SOAP to help with your writing? I was new to the acronym until I came across an article that explained what it is and how the author used it. So, what is SOAP? Allow me to explain so that you can put SOAP into all of your stories.
SOAP stands for Subject, Objective, Action, and Plot. Let me break this down in more simple terms.
Subject
This is easy. All you have to do is identify the main character or characters in your story. Who is your protagonist? What challenges, desires, or conflicts will they face? This will set the stage for your narrative and establish the focus of your story.
Objective
Your objective will determine what the protagonist wants to achieve or obtain. Does your protagonist have a goal, desire, or motivation? The objective drives your plot forward and creates tension and conflict as your protagonist strives to reach their goal.
Action
In this step, you outline the actions the protagonist will take to pursue their objective. These actions should propel your story forward, revealing character traits, obstacles, and conflicts. Each action should bring the protagonist closer to or further away from their goal.
Plot
This is the meat and potatoes of your story. You develop the plot of your story based on your protagonist’s actions and the obstacles they encounter. The best way to use this is by including the sequence of events, the rising tension, the climax, and the resolution. The plot should be structured in a way that keeps the reader engaged and invested in the outcome of your protagonist.
Now that we understand the meaning of SOAP, here’s an example of how you could use the SOAP framework to write your story:
Subject: Jose, a struggling artist living in a small town.
Objective: Jose dreams of having his artwork displayed in a prestigious gallery in the big city.
Action: Jose spends months creating a series of paintings that he believes will impress the gallery owner. He submits his portfolio and waits anxiously for a response.
When he receives a rejection letter, Jose is devastated but decides to attend the gallery’s upcoming exhibition to gain inspiration and network with other artists.
At the exhibition, Jose meets a famous art critic who offers him valuable feedback and encourages him to keep pursuing his dreams. Jose is inspired by the encounter, returns home, and then rededicates himself to his art. Eventually, Jose gains recognition and achieves his goal of having his artwork displayed in the gallery.
Plot: The story will follow Jose’s journey as he faces rejection, self-doubt, and setbacks but ultimately finds inspiration, perseverance, and success in the pursuit of his artistic dreams.
As you can see using the SOAP framework can help you structure your story more effectively. It will ensure that it has a clear focus, compelling characters, and a satisfying narrative arc.
Do you use SOAP every time you write?
