Analysis

This analysis of Tony Blair’s speech on terror is structured based on the rhetorical pentagram model. Here is a short overview of our main points.

First, we will look at the topic of the speech—terrorism— and the way speaker Tony Blair approaches this topic. Then, we will look at the speaker and his political background as British Prime Minister, while also focusing on what image Blair wants to convey within the speech.

We present the audience of the speech—formed by Labour Party members but also by the British and international public. We consider which categories of audience the speaker targets and why.

We will focus on language, looking at the choice of words with negative connotations, at the speaker’s use of allusions and logos, and several other tools which make his speech more appealing and persuasive.

We will discuss the speaker’s intention with the speech—of convincing the audience that the fight against terrorism is both urgent and necessary—and look at what tools he uses to achieve it.

Finally, we will give you an overview of the circumstances of the speech, focusing on the 2005 London bombings and other related events.

You can read our full analysis of the speech in the next pages!

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of speeches? See our guide to speech analysis: