# Exigence Every piece of writing needs a reason to exist. Rhetorical discourse arises from situations where there is an audience, an exigence, and constraints. These things together help a writer know how to respond to a situation effectively.[^1] Cheryl Glenn says an exigence is "a problem that can be resolved or changed by discourse (or language)."[^2] Lloyd Bitzer says exigence is "an imperfection marked by urgency... a defect, an obstacle, something waiting to be done, a thing which is other than it should be."[^1] M. Jimmie Killingsworth says it's "a problem that requires attention right now, a need that must be met, a concept that must be understood before the audience can move to a next step." An exigence is the organizing principle, which specifies the audience and the change.[^2] Exigence is the spark that gets you writing. Exigence is the reason readers should read. Exigence gives a piece its purpose, a story its plot, a poem its insight, an essay its conclusion.[^1] Exigences can be responses to current events. In fact, Carolyn R. Miller says, "Exigence must be located in the social world, neither in a private perception nor in material circumstance."[^2] Other definitions of exigence are more broad. In stories, an exigence can be the conflict the main character faces.[^1] Kay Ryan describes her writing process like the oyster's process of turning a grain of sand into a pearl. And idea or image will get stuck irritatingly in her head, which resolves in a poem.[^1] What's driving you to write? Your exigence should be clear to both you and your reader. Bring the exigence in as soon as possible to maintain readers' interest.[^1] [[Write the song you want to hear]]. See [[Best practices for sad songwriting]]. ![[I wanted to hear music that had not yet happened —Brian Eno]] [^1]: [The Key to Meaningful Writing: "Imperfections Marked by Urgency" - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1FHHCYFibw) [^2]: [Definition and Examples of Exigence in Rhetoric](https://www.thoughtco.com/exigence-rhetoric-term-1690688)