1. Changing a Community Through Writing Todd Sumerfield

2. Creating an Exigence Before this, all of the works we have done have been analysis of an exigence that was already present. Now it is your job to essentially create an exigence for yourself, and create the necessary artifacts in order to bring about your desired change. An exigence is an obstacle or imperfection that can be changed by a particular action. The goal of each rhetorical artifact you will create is to move the audience to action against the particular problem identified by the exigence. The exigence of the article must create a number of debatable arguments about the means and method of change the exigence requires. You will all be finding a problem or issue in your local area which you feel needs to be addressed.

3. Choosing Change When considering what to change in your community, it is easy to aim too high or too low. For example, we are not aiming to change how long one of the street lights stays green on your daily commute, nor are we trying to employ all of the homeless in Denver. Your exigence will need to be something that you feel you can change that will affect the greatest number of people.

4. Creating Writing Pieces The next step is to choose which pieces of writing you will need in order to bring about your change. The changes you suggest will most likely not be brought about with one letter to the mayor. You will probably need supplementary pieces like articles in the newspaper, informational pamphlets, a poster or ad, etc. All of these should play off of each other, and be everything that is needed in writing. This includes grant requests or applications. The goal of your pieces should be to make your image of change of reality.

5. Identifying Your Audience In order to make your change reality, your pieces must speak to the correct people and changes. It is important to understand how the people can create the change. This could be through voting, picketing, even rioting. The most important part will be to convince the people creating the change that the change is necessary. This is why a number of different pieces will be necessary to bring about your change, and to access a larger audience than a single piece could. A helpful exercise may be to create an imaginary bio for a few possible people you will have to convince to make your change. This is helpful because you can think of how to convince some groups without offending others. Your argument has to include a large set of different people in its rhetoric, while still focusing on the small audience which is capable of bringing about the change. This is the most important group .

6. Example The example given below is an example of an exigence I created in my hometown of Broomfield, Colorado. They are building a new reservoir and have not yet determined whether or not allow recreational activities and water sports in the reservoir I created an editorial newspaper article and a blog in order to reach the largest possible audience.

7. Analyzing the Example The editorial piece is a great way to reach a large number of people while still expressing your own opinion. The piece is meant to spike interest, and move people to feel the same way on the issue. This piece can reach a large number of people through the local newspaper to target the local audience. Internet publication can also reach a larger audience. The blog is meant to be what moves people to action. This is where all of the supporting information is contained, and important issues which people can get involved in. All of this information is displayed creatively in a way that will catch people’s eye and hopefully get them interested in the issue.

8. Your Assignment Your assignment is to choose your particular exigence and produce all of the documents you feel are necessary to bring about the desired change. Your pieces need to portray an understanding of the audience and be capable of bringing about the change that your exigence demands. You should display your documents in a creative manner that will get the attention of the audience. You should also include a supplementary piece of writing which explains why your pieces would be effective for your audience There are no other rules, so have fun with it! I look forward to seeing how you all develop this project and the different approaches you may choose to take.

9. Creativity Use your creativity! This isn’t a lab write up, you are encouraged to use color and a variety of different forms which will hook your readers. Good Luck!