Analysis

Here we present the main elements which will help with the analysis of Tariq Ramadan’s article “You Can’t Go Home Again”.

In the context of the rhetorical situation, the sender is Tariq Ramadan, a professor of Contemporary Studies and a European Muslim. It is implied Ramadan uses his experiences to talk about being a Muslim in Europe, although he does not mention those experiences in the article. The intended receivers are other European Muslims, but also non-Muslims, since Ramadan believes that everyone must work together to form a multicultural society. The article was published in Time, a well-known American magazine.

Regarding composition, the headline refers to Muslim immigrants living in Europe. Ramadan argues they should build a European Muslim identity, by following European lifestyle while practicing their religion. The style of language used in the article is formal, making the tone of the article serious and academic. The sentences are mostly long, using complex grammar and vocabulary.

The text uses a number of rhetorical devices to highlight the sender’s intention. Direct address and rhetorical questions, for example, give the impression that the sender is talking directly to the readers, involving them in his arguments.

The article makes use of all three forms of appeal. The sender’s status as a European Muslim gives him ethos to talk about the problems faced by other European Muslims. Logos and pathos are used to make the speaker’s arguments more convincing. The speaker uses both direct and indirect argumentation. The devices used make his arguments convincing and rational. 

You can read a more detailed analysis in the following pages. 

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of non-fiction? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.