Guerrilla Rhetoric Project


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As a rhetorician gone rogue, keep these ideas in mind as you drop hot knowledge on the street and catalyze phronesis in others.  But PLEASE NOTE that not all of the examples used below fit the parameters of this particular assignment, even though they are examples of guerrilla rhetorics.  The take-away is the set of common denominators that links them all together, which I've bolded throughout.

Remember, for this project you're asked to use guerrilla tactics 
in one of two ways:

 1) Rename / Reframe a rhetorical element in your everyday surroundings;
 2) Inform others about the persuasive forces that are operating all around them.



Guerrilla rhetorics  
take advantage of existing conditions...


and REMIX them to create new messages:


Guerrilla rhetorics  
use expectations created by popular genres  
to their advantage:




Guerrilla rhetorics bring literacies and logics from elsewhere into new contexts:

 (cultivate perspectives of agency)
(we expect evidence in certain places, why not others?)

 Guerrilla rhetorics recognize everyday spots that draw attention...


and turn them into provocative encounters.

Guerrilla rhetorics can be as low-cost and low-tech as you want them to be.
Guerrilla rhetorics are designed to ambush attention.
Guerrilla rhetorics understand their everyday environment.

Remember, for this project you're asked to use guerrilla tactics in one of two ways:
 1) Rename / Reframe a rhetorical element in your everyday surroundings;
 2) Inform others about the persuasive forces that are operating all around us.

For example, consider what might happen if we were to replace the neutral term "trash," with the label LANDFILL?


By renaming "trash" we may spur a reframing of how we perceive our responsibilities.
Or, check out the Bubble Project, which brilliantly reveals the one-way persuasion of advertisements:




















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Some examples for inspiration:


Resources / Ideas / Etc. /
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Zines (pronounced "zeens") are self-published projects, falling somewhere in
between a magazine and pamphlet.  Low-tech and easily duplicated, zines are a staple
within subcultures for communicating raw truths outside the traditional, mass-media paradigm.
In short, it's DIY publishing from start to finish.





is a community space located at 172 e. 5th ave.
#Wednesdays 6pm-9pm
#Thursdays 6pm-9pm
#Fridays 2pm-5pm
#Saturday 2pm-5pm

They've got a bunch of zines, books, and friendly folks who may
be able to help you out.  And they gots the intertnets, too.
Go during Food Not Bombs and get a hot meal for free!

Custom Stickers have been used by many over the years to 
promote perspectives.  A friend I know uses the site stickerjunkie.

Stencils & Wheatpastes are enduring tools of guerrilla rhetorics.  
Stencils are pretty straightforward, but will take some time to find the 
materials and methods that work for you personally, as there are numerous approaches.



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Diclaimer
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While none of the ideas or resource guides here are illegal (not yet, at least), they can all be used illegally.
Nothing in this assignment requires or encourages you to break the law.
Use prudence and common sense in all instances where the safety of you and yours is concerned.

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