In this thesis I based on Fowler’s method of syntax analysis construct a flow scheme which I then use to make a syntax analysis of former State Secretary Lars Danielsson’s statements, in his autobiography, regarding his responsibility in the Swedish government’s management of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. The focus of the flow scheme is how grammatical constructions can be used in the interest of rhetoric’s to on the syntax (non-explicit) level of the text indicate and place responsibility with or outside of involved individuals. The main conclusion of the syntax analysis performed is that Danielsson in his autobiography in fact does not use very many of the constructions described in the flow scheme, whereby it can be concluded that the syntax analysis in this case wasn’t so ”revealing”. However two complementary methods of text analysis; a metaphor analysis of the title of Danielsson’s autobiography ”In the shadow of power” and an analysis of the explicit level of the text, has revealed a conscious rhetorical argumentation regarding the question and placing of responsibility. A functional tool for syntax analysis has furthermore, regardless of the results, been constructed and is free for others to use and modify in their research.