Tim Collins and Analysis of Marie Fatayi-Williams' speech.

In our textbook reading for this week, we were given the keys to rhetorical analysis. These six steps are identify the purpose, examine the audience, examine the author, examine the larger context, examine the rhetorical appeals, and examine the language and style. We were also shown the six steps needed for a good rhetorical analysis. These steps are: Find an interesting topic, Write a descriptive title and precise thesis, Analyze the immediate context, Analyze the larger context, Analyze the appeals used, and Analyze the language and style. In his analysis and commentary of Marie's speech, Mr. Collins did an excellent job of performing an analysis.

1. Finding an interesting topic. 
With the current events of the bombing of the number 30 bus and Marie's son becoming missing, this story was on the public's mind. Tim also showed his connection to this story by relating it to himself  before the invasion of Iraq.

2. Write a descriptive title and precise thesis statement.
Tim identified his subject in the first sentence of his review. His topic of "Straight from the Heart" showed the depth of emotion that was shown in Marie's speech and gave his audience a glimpse of the rhetorical appeals she would use.

3. Analyze the immediate content.
He was quick to identify his author as Mrs. Fatayi-Williams and the audience was the public there morning the loses of the people on the number 30 bus. He then went into the back story of Marie and her son and their travels from Africa in search of a better life.

4. Analyze the larger context.
He was restricted in this aspect because few would be commenting on the loss of Marie's son. He did make mention of her becoming an icon associated with the bombing that happened just a few days previously.

5. Analyze the appeals used.
This was done beginning with his topic showing the overwhelming use of pathos, she also uses ethos by showing her role as Anthony's mother, and logos, with her arguments about what the real purpose of terrorism was.

6. Analyze the language and style
Collins cited this as one of the primary aspects of her speech. Her personalizing of these historic events and showing the human cost of these actions spoke volumes to her audience. She seemed to speak directly to all her audience, either by comfort of their lose, as a warning to leaders, or as condemnation to the terrorists themselves.

As we can see Tim Collins followed each of these steps and showed his knowledge of a proper and effective analysis. His respectful breakdown of Marie's speech not only showed respect to her son, and her for her lose, but also to her audience and how this tragedy effected them as well. In conclusions I feel he did a very good job in this analysis of a very moving speech.